§ 4-97-101. Title

This chapter may be cited as the “Arkansas Retail Pet Store Consumer Protection Act of 1991”.

§ 4-97-102. Legislative intent

It is the purpose of this chapter to require certain guarantees from retail pet stores to the purchasers of dogs and cats which are consistent with their unique status as companions rather than commodities. A further purpose is to provide a means by which it can be ensured that the treatment, care, and disposition of […]

§ 4-97-103. Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter: (1) “Animal” means a dog or cat of any age; (2) “Authorized person” means the Secretary of the Department of Health or his or her delegate, or any law enforcement officer; (3) “Cattery” means an enterprise wherein or whereon the business of grooming or boarding cats, or breeding cats […]

§ 4-97-104. Registration required

(a) (1) Any person who owns, operates, or establishes a retail pet store within the State of Arkansas shall register, by reporting in writing to the director: (A) The name of the retail pet store; (B) The location of each housing facility for animals owned by it, or in its care, custody, or control; (C) […]

§ 4-97-105. Consumer guarantees

(a) (1) A retail pet store shall provide to the consumer at the time of sale of an animal a written notice, printed or typed, setting forth the rights provided in subsection (b) of this section. (2) The notice of rights shall have added to it by the retail pet store: (A) The animal’s identifying […]

§ 4-97-106. Public health — Enforcement

The State Board of Health may propose, adopt, promulgate, and enforce, in accordance with the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq., such additional rules and standards as may be necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter.

§ 4-97-107. Unlawful disposition of animals

(a) It is unlawful for a retail pet store to knowingly give, sell, exchange, barter, or otherwise transfer an animal to any other person if the ultimate destination of the animal is research or killing for dissection. (b) It is unlawful for a retail pet store to kill any animal in its care, custody, or […]

§ 4-97-108. Inspection — Public notice

(a) Any authorized person is entitled to inspect the premises and records of a retail pet store at reasonable hours. (b) Retail pet stores shall make their premises available for inspection by authorized persons at reasonable hours. (c) Each failure to make premises or records available to an authorized person whose identity is made known […]

§ 4-97-109. Applicability to other laws

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent or limit the application of any other law.