Action

It's Time For Animal Owners To Take Action

Virginia animal owners have been targeted in an unprecedented way. While the members of the VAOA are against ACTUAL animal abuse, we are also against government overreach and abuse of power. Animal owners have lost their right to due process under the law and are being stripped of their animals and their livelihoods based on a matter of opinion. We have also learned that law enforcement is being taught to use animals to gain access to a citizen's home when they cannot find another way. Civil forfeiture and appeal bonds are being used to cripple owners who are not abusive and seized animals have been dispersed or euthanized BEFORE an owner goes to trial. Facts are ignored and objectivity is a thing of the past.

How has it come to this?

Animals are being harmed through this reckless process. They have lost their security and are being forced to endure the highly stressful situation of a raid at the hands of people they do not know. Sick animals have been ordered off veterinarian care, healthy animals have been carelessly euthanized, and many others have been transported to secret locations with only the claim that they are better off. We do not know how many have received actual homes verses those that have been given the "gift" of euthanasia.

Years ago, Virginia's legislature passed laws to REDEFINE animal neglect and cruelty. As a result, animal owners have effectively lost their rights and been stripped of their sense of security as guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment. Our animals are now the excuse used by the State to invade us AT ANY TIME. The law punishes animal owners for actions they might commit IN THE FUTURE. It has also stripped owners of their right to decide what is best for their animal (e.g. nutrition, enrichment, veterinary care, or euthanasia) while at the same time they are held liable for the feral cat on their property which they DO NOT own. Animal owners are repeatedly being treated like drug dealers as raid teams descend on them, take their animals and other property, and deem them guilty until proven innocent. Legal businesses are being treated as though they were illegal enterprises.

Citizens came together to form the Virginia Animal Owners Alliance. We work to raise public awareness about the needs of both animal owners and animals in the Commonwealth. We own traditional pets, farm animals, and zoo animals and recognize the need for reform. We work at the legislative and regulatory levels. We also have pursued legal action to fight for our Constitutional rights. Our members are willing to stand up and speak up. We care about both the people and the animals of Virginia!

Please help us get the word out! Let your family and friends know what is happening in our State. Visit our Facebook page for the most up-to-date posts about legislation, regulation, and legal action. Talk to your representatives and let them know you want to see reform. Let's work together to fight, educate, and advocate for animal ownership! We're all in this together.