SB 916 Virginia Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Local ordinances; regulation of pet shops.

Summary

Sale of dogs and cats by pet shops; consumer education; work group; report. Directs the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (the Department) to convene a work group to analyze and evaluate currently collected data on the sale of dogs and cats by pet shops to identify what information a pet shop shall make available to a prospective dog or cat owner. The bill requires the work group to include representatives from animal welfare organizations, pet shops that sell dogs and cats, and any other relevant stakeholders the Department deems appropriate. The bill requires the Department to submit a report on the work group's findings and recommendations to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources no later than November 1, 2025.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Jan 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 5, 2025 Last action Feb 18, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was replaced with a Senate substitute that shifts focus from allowing local pet shop regulation to requiring the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to create a work group. This new version directs the department to analyze existing data on pet shop sales and determine what information pet shops must provide to prospective buyers, with findings due by November 1, 2025.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from empowering localities to regulate pet shops to requiring state-level analysis of pet shop sales data to establish consumer information requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Removed provisions allowing localities to require permits for pet shops, set permit fees up to $50, and establish criminal or civil penalties for violations.

Removed authority for localities to regulate or restrict acquisition, marketing, and sale of animals in pet shops.

Added requirement for Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to convene a work group with animal welfare organizations, pet shops, and other stakeholders.

Added mandate for work group to analyze existing data on dog and cat sales by pet shops to identify required consumer disclosure information.

TIMELINE

Added deadline of November 1, 2025 for submitting work group findings and recommendations to Senate and House committee chairs.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 16, 2025

How they voted

39–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 40

Jan 16, 2025

D Democratic21

20 Yea 1

95% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (10-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 7, 2025

Committee

Assigned ACNR sub: Agriculture

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Committee

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

lower

Jan 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

upper

Jan 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Read third time and passed Senate (38-Y 0-N)

upper

Jan 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day

upper

Jan 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute (13-Y 0-N)

upper

Jan 14, 2025

Committee

Assigned ACNR sub: Companion Animals

upper

Jan 5, 2025

Committee

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors