Virginia Dog Kennel Requirements

According to the Hanover County, Virginia Animal Control Department, Virginia dog kennel requirements include having a valid license based on the size of the kennel, specifying whether the kennel is a commercial or non-commercial entity, and operating within the approved districts which allow dog kennels to be located. You must also pay a nominal fee to keep each license valid following approval.

  1. Definition

    • According to the Animal Legal and Historical Center, a Virginia dog kennel is defined as "any establishment in which five or more canines, felines, or hybrids of either are kept for the purpose of breeding, hunting, training, renting, buying, boarding, selling, or showing." These establishments require that specific licenses be applied for, approved and maintained, based on the nature and size of the kennel.

    Restrictions

    • Assuming that the Virginia dog kennel is operating within an approved zoned district and the proper license has been obtained, additional restrictions also apply. These include abiding to the age restriction that no dog under four months of age be housed in the kennel, and verifying the required rabies vaccination certificates for all animals residing there.

    Types of Licenses

    • A dog kennel in Virginia must hold either a Kennel-20 or Kennel-50 form in order to operate legally. For kennels with five to 20 dogs, a kennel License-20 is required. For those housing 21 to 50 dogs, a kennel License-50 is required.