Senate subcommittee backs SB916 substitute to study pet-shop dog and cat sales data

The Companion Animal Subcommittee of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted to recommend that the full committee report Senate Bill 916, which directs the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to convene a working group to analyze data on the sale of dogs and cats by pet shops and to identify what information pet shops should make available to prospective owners.

The substitute amendment approved by the subcommittee narrows the bill to a study and stakeholder process rather than immediate new disclosure requirements. The substitute directs VDACS to convene a working group that will "analyze and evaluate currently collected data on the sales of dogs and cats by pet shops to identify what information a pet shop shall make available to a prospective dog or cat owner," and to include representatives from animal-welfare organizations, pet shops that sell dogs and cats and other stakeholders the agency deems appropriate.

Supporters said the substitute is a compromise that could produce useful information for consumers and animal-welfare organizations. Heidi Meinzer, legislative liaison for the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies, told the subcommittee, "We liked the original language but we realize the need for compromise," and asked that rescues and shelters be included in the working group and eventual reporting because they already collect intake and disposition data.

Cheryl Crow, Virginia state director for the Humane Society of the United States, said the society "ideally" would work toward eliminating retail sales of pets but expressed support for the bill as a step toward more accountability. Daphna Nakhmanovich of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said her organization’s research indicated that suppliers to pet stores accounted for a high volume of dogs; she told the subcommittee, "there was a total of 11,130 dogs added up at those suppliers that supplied all of our pet stores."

Senator Saleem, the bill patron, said he preferred that the working group include the organizations that testified in support and that the substitute’s language covering "animal welfare organizations and relevant stakeholders" should allow VDACS to include those groups. A subcommittee member noted that VDACS had inspected eight pet shops in the Commonwealth that sell dogs and cats and prepared inspection reports, which the member said showed progress on oversight.

The subcommittee approved the substitute amendment by voice vote and then voted to report the bill to the parent committee. The clerk recorded a roll call on the recommendation to report: Senator Fevella — Aye; Senator Stanley — Aye; Senator Pokarski — Aye. The clerk announced "Ayes 3, no 0."

Votes at a glance

- Senate Bill 916 (patron: Senator Saleem) — Substitute adopted; subcommittee recommended reporting to the full committee (roll call: Ayes 3, No 0). - Senate Bill 903 (patron: Senator Stanley) — Moved to "go by for the day" by unanimous consent; no final action taken by the subcommittee. - Senate Bill 907 (patron: Senator Stanley) — Moved to "go by for the day" by unanimous consent; no final action taken by the subcommittee.

The subcommittee chair noted that subcommittees do not make final decisions on bills and said the body would forward its recommendation to the parent committee. The meeting then closed after disposition of the agenda.