Action | Promulgate regulation required by Chapter 1284 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly |
Stage | Proposed |
Comment Period | Ends 12/23/2022 |
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As written, the regulations do not hold pet stores accountable enough--they need to be significantly strengthened. As written, the lack of civil penalties in the current wording means that pet shops with animals obtained from "breeders" have no incentive to care for sick animals, nor are they held accountable for purchasing inherently sickly animals from puppy mills and unregulated sources. This pro-business stance means that animals suffer from the lack of enforceable rules, including that they show USDA inspection reports and/or revealing the source of their animals. As a Virginia resident, I want to see pet stores follow the same rules as shelters, it protects not only the animals but the consumers who unwittingly purchase an expensive overbred animal with multiple health issues.