Answer:
To open a pet store in Arkansas, you need to follow several steps:
- A retail pet store is defined as any space where animals are sold or kept for sale to the public (ARK. STAT. ANN. § 4-97-103).
- You must provide buyers with a signed, written notice of their rights, which also describes the animal being sold (ARK. STAT. ANN. § 4-97-105).
- Post a sign indicating that complaints about animal care can be reported to the state health board or law enforcement (ARK. STAT. ANN. § 4-97-108).
- While a state license isn’t required, you will need a license from the city, town, or county where your store is located. Check local zoning laws and building codes as well.
- Business licenses can usually be obtained from your city’s main office, such as city hall, and typically cost around $25.
- Retail pet store operators must register their store name and location annually (ARK. STAT. ANN. § 4-97-104).
- Your store premises and records will be subject to inspection during reasonable hours. Keep permanent records of each animal's health and vaccination history, as well as a journal listing animals kept for 30 days or longer, including their ID number, arrival date, exit date, and disposition (ARK. STAT. ANN. §§ 4-97-108, -103).
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.