Great news! Thanks to the actions of Virginia’s animal lovers, HB 340 no longer poses a threat to animals in Virginia. We’ve been keeping you posted on this bill throughout the legislative session because its original language threatened to roll back all the progress of the Promote Adoptions Bill that passed last year.
The Virginia Senate Agriculture Committee agreed to a compromise in the bill’s language that stays true to the intent of the Promote Adoptions Bill, which guaranteed that private animal shelters are “operated for the purpose of finding permanent adoptive homes for animals.”
HB 340 now simply requires that the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services adopt regulations that determine whether a private animal shelter is meeting the requirements of the Promote Adoptions Bill.
The bill will now go to the Virginia Senate floor, and if passed will need House of Delegates’ approval of the amended language. We will keep you updated, and remain vigilant to make sure that the positive language remains in the bill.
Thank you for standing up on behalf of Virginia’s animals!
