Section 10. Definitions

Part I. General Provisions

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Animal shelter" means a facility, other than a private residential dwelling and its surrounding grounds, that is used to house or contain animals and that is owned, operated, or maintained by a nongovernmental entity including, but not limited to, a humane society, animal welfare organization, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or any other organization operating for the purpose of finding permanent adoptive homes for animals.

"Automatic emergency lighting" is lighting that is powered by battery, generator, or alternate power source other than electrical power, is activated automatically by electrical power failure, and provides sufficient light to complete surgery or to stabilize the animal until surgery can be continued or the animal moved to another establishment.

"AVMA" means the American Veterinary Medical Association.

"Board" means the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine.

"Companion animal" means any dog, cat, horse, nonhuman primate, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit not raised for human food or fiber, exotic or native animal, reptile, exotic or native bird, or any feral animal or animal under the care, custody or ownership of a person or any animal that is bought, sold, traded, or bartered by any person. Agricultural animals, game species, or any animals regulated under federal law as research animals shall not be considered companion animals for the purposes of this chapter.

"CVMA" means the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

"Full-service establishment" means a stationary or ambulatory facility that provides surgery and encompasses all aspects of health care for small or large animals, or both.

"Immediate and direct supervision" means that the licensed veterinarian is immediately available to the licensed veterinary technician or assistant, either electronically or in person, and provides a specific order based on observation and diagnosis of the patient within the last 36 hours.

"Owner" means any person who (i) has a right of property in an animal; (ii) keeps or harbors an animal; (iii) has an animal in his care; or (iv) acts as a custodian of an animal.

"Pound" means a facility operated by the state or a locality for the purpose of impounding or harboring seized, stray, homeless, abandoned, or unwanted animals; or a facility operated for the same purpose under a contract with a locality or an incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.

"Preceptorship or externship" means a formal arrangement between an AVMA accredited college of veterinary medicine or an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program and a veterinarian who is licensed by the board and responsible for the practice of the preceptee. A preceptorship or externship shall be overseen by faculty of the college or program.

"Professional judgment" includes any decision or conduct in the practice of veterinary medicine, as defined by § 54.1-3800 of the Code of Virginia.

"Restricted service establishment" means a stationary or ambulatory facility which does not meet the requirements of a full-service establishment.

"Specialist" means a veterinarian who has been awarded and has maintained the status of diplomate of a specialty organization recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties of the American Veterinary Medical Association, or any other organization approved by the board.

"Surgery" means treatment through revision, destruction, incision or other structural alteration of animal tissue. Surgery does not include dental extractions of single-rooted teeth or skin closures performed by a licensed veterinary technician upon a diagnosis and pursuant to direct orders from a veterinarian.

"Veterinarian in charge" means a veterinarian who holds an active license in Virginia and who is responsible for maintaining a veterinary establishment within the standards set by this chapter, for complying with federal and state laws and regulations, and for notifying the board of the establishment's closure.

"Veterinary establishment" means any fixed or mobile practice, veterinary hospital, animal hospital or premises wherein or out of which veterinary medicine is being conducted.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR645-01-1 § 1.1, eff. June 10, 1987; amended, Volume 06, Issue 26, eff. October 31, 1990; Volume 12, Issue 09, eff. February 21, 1996; Volume 15, Issue 05, eff. December 23, 1998; Volume 19, Issue 09, eff. March 1, 2003; Volume 20, Issue 24, eff. October 23, 2004; Volume 26, Issue 04, eff. November 25, 2009; Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 27, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.