4VAC15-20-50. Definitions and Miscellaneous: In General. Definitions; "wild animal," "native animal," "naturalized animal," "nonnative (exotic) animal," and "domestic animal".
Summary
The proposal is to eliminate the requirement that a written declaration for the possession of domesticated red foxes with a coat color distinguishable from wild red foxes and wild European rabbits be renewed every 5 years.
Proposed Language
Note: In the “Proposed Language” document, underlined text denotes proposed new language, while text with a strikethrough denotes language that is proposed to be deleted.
Rationale
The requirement to renew the permit for domestic red foxes and European rabbits will be unnecessary in 2028 as the foxes will be nearing the expected life span at that time and no rabbits were permitted. The removal of the renewal requirement will benefit both the permittees and the Department by saving time, communications, and paperwork.
This regulation required for all persons possessing domesticated red foxes or European rabbits in captivity on July 1, 2017, to declare such possession in writing to the Department by January 1, 2018, to obtain a permit for the animal. The domestic foxes and rabbits were to be maintained in captivity until the animal dies, but the animals could not be bred or sold without a permit from the Department. A total of 37 domestic red foxes and no European rabbits were permitted as of January 1, 2018. After one permit renewal period, the number of permitted captive foxes had decreased substantially as many foxes had passed. The next renewal period will be in 2028, when the captive foxes will be at a minimum of ten and a half years old. Red foxes live roughly 12 years in captivity. After discussions with the Permits Office, it was deemed unnecessary to renew the permit again with all the captive foxes nearing or passing the expected life span. The removal of the requirement to renew the permit every 5 years will allow those with captive red foxes to maintain their permit until the animal passes without the unnecessary renewal paperwork and communications from the Department.