Dog boarding license requirements in Arkansas

What Arkansas law says about licensing a boarding kennel or daycare, pets nobody picks up, and rabies. Checked November 2, 2026.

Kennel license

No state license

No state license. Check with your county or city; guides point to local permits such as Pulaski County's.

Pets nobody picks up

Vets only

The law covers only veterinarians: 12 days after written notice to the owner's last known mailing or email address. A non-vet kennel is not covered, so ask an attorney before rehoming an unclaimed pet.

Rabies

Required

Dogs 4 months and older must be vaccinated, with a booster a year later.

The vet rule was read on FindLaw, and an older version counted the days from a certified letter, so the current text is unconfirmed.

Sources: Ark. Code Ann. § 17-101-313 Ark. Rabies Control Rules, 007.49.24

Facts, not legal advice. Laws change, and your county or city may have its own kennel permit: call them before you rely on any of this.

Arkansas and its neighbors

State Kennel license Pets nobody picks up Rabies
Arkansas No state license Vets only Required
Louisiana No state license Covers kennels Required
Mississippi No state license Vets only Required
Missouri State license Vets only Local rules
Oklahoma No state license Vets only Required
Tennessee No state license Vets only Required
Texas No state license Vets only Required

The state is one of four permissions you need.

Zoning, your county or city, and the fire marshal come too. The Opening Kit walks you through all of them, with the questions to ask each office, then insurance, policies, prices and your first twenty clients.

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