Prohibition against euthanizing a pet against a veterinarian's recommendation if the pet owner is trying to schedule it and veterinarian is not recommending it.

The petition will be published on December 28, 2015 in the Register of Regulations and also posted on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.virginia.gov to receive public comment ending January 27, 2016.

Following receipt of all comments on the petition to amend regulations, the Board will decide whether to make any changes to the regulatory language. This matter will be on the Board’s agenda for its first meeting after the comment period, which is tentatively scheduled for February 10, 2016.

At its meeting on February 10, 2016, the Board considered the petition and one comment in favor of the request for an amendment.  Its conclusion was that veterinarians currently have the authority to refuse a request for euthanasia requested by a client. Therefore, the Board has denied the petition and will not initiate rule-making at this time.