Virginia Animal Care and Hoarding Standards Statewide

Va. Code Section 3.2-6503 requires every owner of a companion animal to provide adequate feed, water, shelter, space, exercise, care, and veterinary treatment. Adequate care is defined in Section 3.2-6500. A violation is a Class 4 misdemeanor; subsequent violations escalate to Class 2 or 3 misdemeanors. Malicious deprivation of food, water, shelter, or emergency veterinary treatment causing serious harm can be a felony under Section 3.2-6570. These cruelty standards apply statewide to private owners, shelters, and rescues, and provide the legal basis for hoarding-related seizures.

Class 4 misdemeanor first offense; up to Class 6 felony for malicious cruelty.