7 Week And First Shot Law

by Anita R. Weidinger, D.V.M

Since July 1, 1995 there has been a law in effect in the Commonwealth of Virginia that requires all puppies and kittens to stay with their mothers until at least seven weeks of age. The law also requires all breeders to get the puppies and kittens their first vaccine at least five days before they are adopted to a new home.

This law is designed to help us have happier and healthier pets. The need for the first vaccine is obvious. The immune system of such young puppies and kittens is immature and needs the benefit of vaccines to build immunity. In dogs, Distemper and Parvo to name just two, are life threatening viruses that are preventable through vaccination, risking infection with these viruses by not vaccinating at the right time is irresponsible. Kittens need to be vaccinated for the common upper respirator viruses. One of these viruses is a herpes-type virus that if the cat is exposed to it without prior immunity, the virus can be a lifelong problem.

The need to stay with their mothers and littermates is based on their social education and development. Puppies' personal-ities are at least partially shaped by their interaction with their brothers, sisters, and their mothers. The mother will teach them how to behave and when they have gone too far. The mother dog will hold a disobedient puppy down to let them know that a particular behavior is not allowable. Puppies need to play and wrestle with their littermates. They learn from this how to adjust to who is in charge and where they fit in the hierarchy. This play behavior helps these pups when they come into your home to understand how they can play and how they fit into your family. Puppies that have aggressive tendencies need to have their inappropriate behaviors suppressed early to help their personalities develop in the more socially acceptable direction. Kittens also learn from their mothers and littermates much the same as puppies. They also can learn hunting and litterbox habits from their mothers.

Kittens and puppies also need a slow transition from nursing to solid food. Yes, a lot of puppies may not nurse much after four weeks of age, but they need their mothers weaning them slowly as they get used to solid food. It is part of the separation they need to be ready for life on their own. This is probably more important for kittens. We have all seen the kittens and adult cats that still have the need to suck on objects most likely stemming from a premature separation between mother and kitten.

Most reputable breeders want to keep their kittens and puppies until they are seven to eight weeks old to properly evaluate them as well as make sure they are doing well on solid food, and until first vaccines and any deworming are complete. These breeders want to send healthy, happy pets to their new homes. It is our responsibility as a consumer to be educated and make the right choice.

It is the responsibility of breeders to know and abide by the law, but if we come in contact with someone selling puppies or kittens before seven weeks of age and without their first vaccines, we should gently remind them of the law and the social and health issues on which the law is based.

Below is the actual Code:

§ 3.1-796.70. Sale, etc., of unweaned or certain immature animals prohibited, vaccinations required for dogs and cats; penalty.

A. No person shall sell, raffle, or offer for sale as pets or novelties, or offer or give as a prize, premium, or advertising device any living chicks, ducklings, or other fowl under two months old in quantities of less than six or any unweaned mammalian companion animal or any dog under the age of seven weeks without its dam, or any cat under the age of seven weeks without its queen. Dealers may offer immature fowl, unweaned mammalian companion animals, dogs or cats under the age of seven weeks for sale as pets or novelties with the requirement that prospective owners take possession of the animals only after fowl have reached two months of age, mammalian companion animals have been weaned, and dogs and cats are at least seven weeks of age. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the sale of an unweaned animal (i) as food for other animals or (ii) with the lactating dam or queen or a lactating surrogate dam or queen that has accepted the animal.

B. Dealers shall provide all dogs and cats with current vaccinations against contagious and infectious diseases, as recommended in writing and considered appropriate for the animal's age and breed by a licensed veterinarian, or pursuant to written recommendations provided by the manufacturer of such vaccines at least five days before any new owner takes possession of the animal. For dogs, the vaccinations required by this subsection shall include at a minimum canine distemper, adenovirus type II parainfluenza, and parvovirus. For cats, the vaccinations required by this subsection shall include at a minimum rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. Dealers shall provide the new owner with the dog's or cat's immunization history.

C. A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.

(1984, c. 492, § 29-213.40; 1987, c. 488; 1993, c. 174; 1995, c. 625.)