To Whom It May Concern,

As a Virginian, I greatly appreciate steps in the right direction for animal welfare in our state, including the proposal to increase regulations on pet stores. I urge you to consider going a step further, and hold pet stores to the same standards as private and public animal shelters. This includes requiring that a licensed veterinarian develop protocols for the care of animals in their custody and that they are regularly inspected and issued civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day if they are found to violate any state or local laws. 

We cannot allow pet-stores--who gain massive profits from selling animals--to operate at a lesser standard than animal shelters in our state--who primarily function off of volunteer work and donations. Virginia must hold pet stores to the highest animal welfare standards or risk damaging our state's reputation by permitting shady operations to continue. 

Thank you for your consideration and efforts on behalf of animals.