[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6379102,"mediaKeyId","2136731-fa377d6f96decfcc8b00f2dfac603ae5","parentId",2136731,"title","Bill would bar premature separation of captive wild mammals, ban deliberate hybridization","audioSeconds",676,"startMs",1456000,"endMs",2132000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136731-fa377d6f96decfcc8b00f2dfac603ae5&start=1456&end=2132","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136731-fa377d6f96decfcc8b00f2dfac603ae5/thumbnail_1456000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6379102/Virginia/Bill-would-bar-premature-separation-of-captive-wild-mammals-ban-deliberate-hybridization","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379102-3cdff566262e7c31d2c044704ef3330a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775276769&Signature=VBXhse4DcFBHmK2XWR-OGENoC3K9VdlmzJEbjaUNF2-FmuxMK5BS~rO0Kp94IyMorR0pN0lW69k3okB6lEQnXaTHAY3xOGPjNa2YVmu33WNMWdn-VrVkMWFaVWik-d0RheB4CZkhUNUBHN~H3PY7xLrU7ieQOnPyn8KBma3lkucnUvTHA6eeioey9DMadMHgCmvf9bGjKD9omLumxcPTlzhDgoLu~odqRUSpSfZXG~P3SlvhBKR50rx0g8E2giu6mkMFce~L-XW0SG9-7aScMFeD51gaeM8uC4YRsOzLQ~iQoErBOxDczWh4TzEShb3gxFahuH8yMsczZYSIc9ozAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Virginia Legislature","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Boisco presented Senate Bill 1125 in a substitute form that narrows the measure to mammalian wildlife. The substitute would make it unlawful to separate mammalian wildlife from their mothers prior to the natural time of weaning absent a written veterinary medical necessity, and would prohibit intentional hybridization of different wild mammal species or subspecies. The bill provides an exemption for facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

The sponsor said the legislation responds to repeated instances in which young non‑domestic mammals were removed from mothers prematurely and shipped out of state; the sponsor cited data the bill's backers collected showing dozens of young animals moved between 2020 and 2023, including a one‑week‑old tiger that was later connected to federally prosecuted wildlife trafficking. The sponsor and supporters said premature removal can cause lifelong health and behavioral problems for animals and has no conservation value.

Supporters presenting testimony included Heidi Meinser of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies, Susan Seward of the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, Daphna Nakhmanovich (PETA), and Tabitha Treloar of the Richmond SPCA. Some speakers representing agricultural interests urged caution about including birds and noted hand‑rearing is standard for some species; committee members discussed narrowing the bill to mammals, and there was a request to consider whether other accreditations such as the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) should be included. Testimony from animal welfare advocates argued AZA accreditation and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries appropriately represent professional zoos and sanctuaries and that including additional exemptions could be over inclusive.

A motion to report the substitute as amended was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: proponents said the bill fills a gap in Virginia law that already protects maternal bonds for companion animals but not for captive wild mammals, and it targets practices used for profit or public display that can harm animals' welfare.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 21, 2025 - ACNR: Companion Animals - SR C (311) - 8:00 am","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 1125, presented by Senator Boisco in substitute form, would prohibit removing captive wild mammals from their mothers before natural weaning except for veterinary medical necessity and would ban intentional hybridization of different wild mammal species or subspecies.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature VA, Virginia","taxId",77687,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379106,"Virginia bill would require pet shops to keep detailed records, give agency power to fine noncompliance",1075,341000,1416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136731-fa377d6f96decfcc8b00f2dfac603ae5&start=341&end=1416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136731-fa377d6f96decfcc8b00f2dfac603ae5/thumbnail_341000.jpg","/articles/6379106/Virginia/Virginia-bill-would-require-pet-shops-to-keep-detailed-records-give-agency-power-to-fine-noncompliance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379106-d6fc7718262556ce2c6b70215303d2d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775276769&Signature=IHdlWgB0GfUtYQH2AXDA0jg8m1~ilaHvhTxrqg6iv-ltnXjuzrpF-YLss02Eo9EUugdz~LDL-AzNDIXKAp~xFdnlWFWTLb2tRIQirE~mAjzVPhN0hMVLc-kjqfR0Pd9qOyg7X0T5i~7Gpt8JfBmSO5gE4M~RdCSJcSLXSxx04e3p9ruaqVyOBwp8oGMVOCOHILN-yYV3DUH7SvIC~25ehllc~u1LEgOBSY2VvQE1XzBPOiLS5xWbG5nu1WuPvvumBWsjn-UfNcVpjgKXnuutWyDpc8DC2OA0fnhZ2W3OSxzs0aO4SCb7OhpVD~Of4Z3zx~4pUVZiC9SwD1xNaH4H7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Stanley presented a substitute amendment to Senate Bill 903 and said the revised bill would require pet shops that take custody of dogs to keep detailed records and make them subject to inspection by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). The substitute also adds civil fines for noncompliance and retention of records for five years.

Under the language described in committee, required records would include the date custody was taken, the date the record was made, a description of the dog (species, color, breed, approximate age and weight), location where custody was acquired, the name and address of the person for whom the animal was obtained, identification such as rabies tag or tattoo, and the disposition of the animal. The sponsor said the aim is to track sources of animals and discourage purchases from breeders with USDA violations.

Committee members and witnesses discussed scope and compliance burdens. Senator Stanley and others said the intent is to start with dogs, seeing whether that approach works before expanding to other species. The subcommittee adopted conceptual changes to limit initial reporting to dogs and directed the chairman to send a letter to VDACS to assist with implementation and evaluation.

Witnesses supporting the bill included Heidi Meinser of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies, Tabitha Treloar of the Richmond SPCA, and representatives of the Virginia Pet Advocate Alliance, who said many compliant small, family‑owned pet stores already keep such records and were willing to work on language. The Virginia Veterinary Medical Association also signaled support for the amended language.

The subcommittee moved and seconded to report the substitute as amended; a voice vote recorded approval.

Why it matters: supporters said the recordkeeping and enforcement tools would make it easier to trace animals' sources, identify problem breeders, and reduce the number of animals entering releasing agencies and shelters.","Senate Bill 903, as revised, would require pet shops to maintain multi‑year records when taking custody of dogs and authorize VDACS enforcement including fines; the subcommittee moved to report the substitute with amendments narrowing initial scope to dogs and directing agency follow‑up.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379111,"Virginia bill would let localities inspect grooming and boarding facilities, exclude Board‑regulated clinics",0,2671000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136731-fa377d6f96decfcc8b00f2dfac603ae5&start=2671&end=2671","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136731-fa377d6f96decfcc8b00f2dfac603ae5/thumbnail_2671000.jpg","/articles/6379111/Virginia/Virginia-bill-would-let-localities-inspect-grooming-and-boarding-facilities-exclude-Boardregulated-clinics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379111-620fe557914b0f247612bfa913c7b450/orig.mp4?Expires=1775276769&Signature=XBFZadQvX48c8zMuEhV2bj1FnTjzL54AduBoM~XCncU5FQ61-hb5DEbazOdX8HAVm6g97lZ9C1QKz0njWytHHguLwyO0Xdxqp648HTzjEQKI5aavvoYrKEmwlzUZVzkvAvuy42jrgm9nyXq5ubQcTqAVBII-GFaY6KsSIb0GSr~nkyj5VH1GAu8S4dL9nfUyBt30F2EooTIpIlOzb3KwEOHfYWmdpV9UGLnTHuiogyLEG2K6Q-phQ9-lNmZiPAYHgxmGvCDB-Z3Mamx43C81bWmzqNZaeqW80oOFsc8EAiDWOUqMtTTbf9oVA6PuqqG9YdsWRFegUYZJP-5-kjVw4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Eban introduced Senate Bill 1051 to give local governments permissive authority to conduct routine inspections of animal grooming and boarding establishments, with an amendment carving out facilities regulated by the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine.

The bill's sponsor told the subcommittee that current local inspection authority is reactive — limited to specific complaints — while routine inspections are performed by the state veterinarian. The sponsor cited three dog deaths following stays at a single boarding facility in Alexandria (named in testimony as Clark, Blue and Lily) and an Animal Welfare League of Alexandria review that reported high animal‑to‑staff ratios as motivating the local request for inspection authority.

Supporters said the change is permissive, not mandatory, and would not displace the Board of Veterinary Medicine. Heidi Meinser of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies, Sarah Graham Taylor speaking for the City of Alexandria and the city's Animal Welfare League, Susan Seward of the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, and Daphna Nakhmanovich of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals all spoke in favor of the amended bill during the subcommittee hearing.

The subcommittee adopted the line amendment to exclude establishments regulated by the Board of Veterinary Medicine, then moved and seconded to report the bill as amended. The record shows a voice vote in favor.

Why it matters: proponents said routine, permissive local inspections would allow earlier identification and correction of substandard conditions at grooming or boarding facilities than the current complaint‑driven system.

The bill, as reported, leaves the decision to implement inspections with local governments and explicitly excludes facilities already overseen by the Board of Veterinary Medicine. The bill language as amended was reported out of the subcommittee for further consideration.","A Senate subcommittee voted to report SB 1051, a permissive measure from Senator Eban that would allow localities to conduct routine inspections of animal grooming and boarding establishments while excluding facilities regulated by the Board of Veterinary Medicine.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379097,"Bill would close posting loophole for taxpayer‑funded animal testing records at public institutions",564,2176000,2740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136731-fa377d6f96decfcc8b00f2dfac603ae5&start=2176&end=2740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136731-fa377d6f96decfcc8b00f2dfac603ae5/thumbnail_2176000.jpg","/articles/6379097/Virginia/Bill-would-close-posting-loophole-for-taxpayerfunded-animal-testing-records-at-public-institutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379097-2b9e969db05f540699783076d73a363c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775276769&Signature=HAHLsGOIT2DpqA88nZG2Ibqv2toU7R8rrOI7S~FhYzaaRjOKSB4kHepKPNeCgIFy2IWfvoTwa2SB-9f6MUHeB1Q09aHmKLvG9r0tsyclPgDlt3EY9-2aI--SBP0NL60dyV0vn0tirk7EUJUgItZKy64qY7ERoHBBxWSOE0ftb26IG4~0T8avJZHZkuT6DmfNL~NxmPElciMzweV8s4kaDQaZzjj1Rouq7Cv-~mMEzYhcBw4J7rGN45cuHu2O9Ya9~f6pf5SmwL8n81Arij13k7-FY9aAeLytIWGTpBLXYec7TNXOkG~YnJxxIWkNo5PKORJMOOmS7oAv0hmwIVtbQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 1127, presented in committee as a cleanup to 2023 transparency legislation, would require publicly funded animal testing facilities in Virginia to post records resulting from external reviews, settlement agreements, and enforcement actions by federal regulatory agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill is intended to close a posting loophole supporters said allows significant information about animal welfare violations and subsequent disciplinary actions to remain off public websites.

The sponsor said a March 2024 USDA‑related settlement involving a public university (identified in testimony as Virginia Tech) included seven violations and an approximately $18,000 fine; supporters said that settlement and related documents were not posted alongside the required USDA inspection reports. Witnesses described violations that included failure to ensure sufficient feeding and care, inadequate training and supervision of personnel, and other lapses that led to animal suffering.

Supporters included Daphna Nakhmanovich of PETA, Megan Rhine of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government (who said more online posting can reduce FOIA burden), Heidi Meinser of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies, and Tabitha Treloar of the Richmond SPCA. No opposition testimony was recorded in the transcript. The subcommittee moved and seconded the measure and approved it by voice vote.

Why it matters: sponsors said the public — especially taxpayers funding university research — deserves access to the full record when institutions receive federal citations or enter settlements addressing animal welfare concerns.","SB 1127 would require publicly funded animal testing facilities to post not only USDA inspection reports but also records from external reviews, settlements and federal enforcement actions; the subcommittee voted to report the cleanup bill after supporters cited a Virginia Tech settlement tied to USDA violations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would bar premature separation of captive wild mammals, ban deliberate hybridization

Virginia bill would require pet shops to keep detailed records, give agency power to fine noncompliance

Virginia bill would let localities inspect grooming and boarding facilities, exclude Board‑regulated clinics

Bill would close posting loophole for taxpayer‑funded animal testing records at public institutions