Although Arkansas has no state-wide pet-limit law, individual municipalities do. This means that the maximum number of dogs or cats you can own in Arkansas depends on your specific location and its laws. Most Arkansas municipalities restrict each household to four pets. That said, it is advisable to contact your local animal control regarding the pet ownership laws in your locality. Below are some Arkansas cities with pet-limit laws.
Little Rock
The city of Little Rock restricts each household to 4 dogs and 4 cats. A kennel permit is required if you wish to exceed those numbers. As per the city's Basic Animal Control Laws, all pet cats and dogs must be vaccinated for Rabies and be licensed by the City. Further, the animals must at all times wear the license on a collar or harness. If your cats are predominantly kept outdoors, you must sterilize and microchip them. You must confine your dogs to your property by a fence, pen, or by tethering to an approved trolley system.
The city of Little Rock also has a "Potentially Dangerous Breeds" ordinance. This ordinance requires owners of certain dog breeds to register these animals. The dogs that Little Rock deems "Potentially Dangerous" are the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The registration fee for these dog breeds is $150 (per Animal). And no more than 2 of these dogs are permitted to be owned, as restricted by the city.
Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, the pet-limit law differs. Here, you can own as many dogs or cats as you can care for. However, if you are confining your dogs or cats by means of an enclosure, you are required by law to provide a minimum space of 100 square feet for each animal. You must not fail to provide your dogs or cats with sufficient good and wholesome food and water, Rabies vaccination, microchipping, and registration are required for all dogs and cats four months old or older living in the city. There is a similar ordinance in the city of Fort Smith.
Jonesboro
The city of Jonesboro allows no more than five domestic animals per household. You may have five dogs or five cats or any combination of both not exceeding five in total. The City Code requires all dogs and cats from three months of age to be vaccinated and wear the vaccination tag around their neck at all times.
Conway
If you live in Conway, Arkansas, you can own 4 dogs and/or cats. You must have your pet dogs or cats vaccinated annually against rabies, as required by the City Code. In addition, you must have your pets wear a metal tag evidencing such vaccination.
North Little Rock
In the city of North Little Rock, residents are not permitted to own more than four domestic animals. This means you can have 4 cats or dogs or any combination of both not exceeding 4 within the city limits. This restriction, however, does not apply to cats that are indoor pets.
Pit bull dog breeds are banned entirely in the city of North Little Rock, Arkansas. Dogs that North Little Rock deems to be Pit bulls include the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bull Dog, and any dog conforming or substantially conforming to these breeds.
Hot Springs
Hot Springs residents are required to obtain a kennel permit to own more than 4 pets. Otherwise, residents may not own more than 4 animals per household. The fee for the kennel permit is $100 per animal for the first year and $50 for each subsequent year. The city's Basic Animal Control Laws require every pet dog and cat 4 months or older to be vaccinated and licensed.
The license fee for sterilized animals is $20 for a lifetime. On the other hand, the fee for unsterile animals is $10 yearly. Every pet cat and dog is required to wear the license on a collar or harness at all times in the city.
Other Arkansas Municipalities
- Jacksonville, AR: 4 cats and/or dogs
- Sherwood, AR: 4 dogs and/or cats
- Cabot, AR: 4 pets (dogs and cats)
- Searcy, AR: 4 dogs per household. No limit on cats
- Siloam Springs, AR: 4 dogs or cats
- Blytheville, AR: 5 dogs and/or cats
- Lowell, AR: 4 dogs and/or cats
Ultimately, it is obvious that most Arkansas cities do not allow residents to own more than four pets without obtaining a kennel license.
