Comprehensive Animal Care

This is the 2026 edition of the code. This is the current edition. It was last updated Aug 02, 2026. Browse all editions.

This is Chapter 65 of the Code of Virginia, titled “Comprehensive Animal Care.” It is part of Subtitle V “Domestic Animals”, which is part of Title 3.2 “Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food”. It contains 132 laws divided across 15 structures.

Article 1	General Provisions
Article 2	Animal Welfare
Article 2.1	Commercial Dog Breeding Operations
Article 3	Transportation and Sale of Animals
Article 4	Boarding Establishments and Groomers
Article 5	Rabies Control and Licensing of Dogs and Cats
Article 6	Authority of Local Governing Bodies
Article 7	Animal Control Officers and Humane Investigators
Article 8	Search, Seizure, Impounding, and Enforcement
Article 9	Cruelty to Animals
Article 10	Mandatory Sterilization of Dogs and Cats Adopted From Releasing Agencies
Article 12	Miscellaneous Provisions
Article 11	Hybrid Canines
Article 13	Animal Research
Article 14	Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits