Virginia Beach, VA Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

A pet shop shall sell or offer for adoption a dog procured only from a humane society or private or public animal shelter as those terms are defined in Code of Virginia § 3.2-6500 or from a person who has not received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pursuant to enforcement of the federal Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq.) or regulations adopted thereunder, (i) a citation for a direct violation or citations for three or more indirect violations for at least two years prior to the procurement of the dog or (ii) two consecutive citations for no access to the facility prior to the procurement of the dog.(b)It shall be unlawful for any commercial dog breeder who is not licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture pursuant to the federal Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq.) or regulations adopted thereunder to sell any dog to a pet shop.(c)A pet shop shall retain records verifying compliance with this section for a minimum of two years after the disposition of any dog.(d)Any person violating any provision of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for each dog sold or offered for sale. (Ord. No. 3437, 3-15-16)

Secs. 5-550—5-599. - Reserved.