Virginia will soon start regulating how pet shops care for dogs and cats to make sure they are cared for properly.
The new rules, which take effect on May 9, say pet shops must register with the state and will be subject to at least one unannounced inspection a year.
Repeated violations of state standards for the care of animals would mean a shop could be banned from selling dogs and cats.
Read the full story in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.