Pet Import Laws in Arkansas: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know Before Arriving
June 3, 2026
Relocating to Arkansas with a pet involves more than packing food and a favorite toy. The state enforces specific health and documentation requirements for nearly every animal that crosses its borders, and arriving without the right paperwork can result in quarantine, fines, or a forced return trip to your origin state.
Whether you are moving from a neighboring state or relocating from across the country, understanding Arkansas’s pet import rules before you travel will save you from costly delays. This guide walks you through every major requirement, from the documents you need to gather ahead of time to the agencies you should contact before your arrival date.
What Documents Do You Need to Bring a Pet Into Arkansas
The foundation of Arkansas’s pet entry system is the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, commonly called a CVI. Most animals require a CVI issued within 30 days of entry. This certificate is issued by a licensed, accredited veterinarian after a physical examination confirming the animal is free from signs of contagious or communicable disease.
Beyond the CVI, some animals require entry permits issued by the state before they arrive. Entry permits are required for certain animals, including swine, camelids, cervids, ratites, zoo and exotic animals, rodeo bulls, and non-poultry birds. Permit requests are directed to the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission.
Important Note: All permits are invalid unless accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Make sure you have both documents in hand before your pet crosses the state line.
The core rule that applies to all species is straightforward: no animal, including poultry or birds, may enter Arkansas if it shows signs of disease, has recently been exposed to disease, or comes from a quarantined area without written permission from the State Veterinarian. If your pet does not meet entry requirements upon arrival, animals not meeting entry requirements may be quarantined at the owner’s expense until all conditions are satisfied.
Here is a quick overview of the core documents most pet owners will need:
- Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within 30 days of entry
- Proof of current rabies vaccination (for dogs and cats over four months of age)
- Entry permit from the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (for birds, exotics, and other specified species)
- Any species-specific health test results required by the permit
Dog Import Requirements in Arkansas
Dogs are among the most commonly moved pets, and Arkansas has clear, enforceable rules for bringing them into the state. All dogs transported or moved into Arkansas for any purpose must be accompanied by an official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and have been vaccinated against rabies not more than twelve months prior to entry.
Age matters when it comes to the rabies requirement. Dogs under four months of age are exempt from the vaccination requirement. For dogs that have already received at least one prior rabies shot, Arkansas will accept a three-year rabies vaccination if the dog or cat has had at least one previous rabies vaccine.
Pro Tip: Schedule your vet appointment at least two weeks before your move date. This gives you time to receive the CVI, confirm the rabies vaccination is documented correctly, and request copies of all records before you hit the road.
One important distinction applies to privately owned dogs versus those being sold or transferred. According to interstate pet movement guidelines, a CVI is not required for privately owned dogs — only proof of current rabies vaccination is needed. However, dogs being sold or transferred to a new owner do require the full CVI. If you are unsure which category applies to your situation, confirm with the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission before you travel.
You should also be aware of Arkansas’s rabies rules once you arrive. Unvaccinated dogs more than four months of age that are acquired or moved into the state must be vaccinated within thirty days of purchase or arrival, unless there is documented evidence of current vaccination. Keep your vaccination records accessible after arrival as well, not just during transit. You can learn more about dog leash laws in Arkansas to stay compliant once you are settled in.
Cat Import Requirements in Arkansas
Cats entering Arkansas are subject to many of the same core requirements as dogs, though there are some notable differences in how the rules are applied in practice. All dogs and cats transported or moved into Arkansas for any purpose must be accompanied by an official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and have been vaccinated against rabies not more than twelve months prior to entry.
Like dogs, cats under a certain age are exempt. Cats under four months of age are exempt, and Arkansas will accept a three-year rabies vaccination if the cat has had at least one previous rabies vaccine.
Practically speaking, the CVI requirement for privately owned cats works similarly to dogs. For cats, a CVI is not required for private moves — domestic cats must be apparently healthy, but no CVI is required for private ownership transfers. However, the rabies vaccination documentation should still travel with your cat in case you are asked to produce it at any point during your move.
Common Mistake: Many cat owners assume that because cats are often kept indoors, the rabies vaccination rule does not apply. It does. Any cat over four months of age moving into Arkansas must have documented proof of current rabies vaccination, regardless of whether the cat ever goes outside.
If your cat has never been vaccinated before the move, you will need to act quickly after arrival. Arkansas requires vaccination within 30 days for any unvaccinated cat over four months of age that enters the state. Once you are settled, you may also want to review the neighbor’s cat in my yard laws in Arkansas to understand how local ordinances may affect your household.
Bird and Exotic Pet Import Requirements in Arkansas
Birds and exotic animals face considerably stricter requirements than dogs and cats when entering Arkansas. The state treats these species with heightened scrutiny due to disease risks and ecological concerns.
Pet Birds
If you own a parrot, parakeet, finch, canary, or any other non-poultry bird, you must prepare additional documentation before crossing into Arkansas. For psittacine birds, passerine birds, and all other non-poultry avian species, a certificate of veterinary inspection issued within thirty days and an entry permit are required. The entry permit must be obtained from the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission before your bird arrives.
Permits are required on all swine, zoo, fur-bearing and other wild and/or exotic animals, ratites, camelids, cervids, passerine birds, psittacine birds, and all other avian except poultry entering the State of Arkansas. This means even a single pet parakeet requires both a permit and a CVI before it can legally enter the state.
Pro Tip: Contact the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission by phone at (501) 907-2400, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to request your bird’s entry permit well in advance of your move date. Permits take time to process, and your bird cannot legally enter without one.
Exotic Mammals and Other Wildlife
For exotic mammals, reptiles, and other wildlife species, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is the primary regulatory body. The AGFC categorizes captive wildlife species as Unrestricted, Permit Required, and Prohibited based on the risk they pose to native wildlife and habitats, human safety, or agriculture. Species not listed are by default prohibited.
An entry permit from the Livestock and Poultry Commission and certificate of veterinary health is required to import all zoo, wild, and/or exotic animals. If your exotic pet requires a Wildlife Importation Permit, the Wildlife Importation Permit and issued documentation must accompany each animal during transport, and all documentation shall be submitted by the permit holder to the Commission’s Wildlife Management Division within 7 days of the permitted importation.
Some species face outright bans in Arkansas. Large carnivores represent one major prohibited category. Under Arkansas law, large carnivores are defined as bears, lions, and tigers, and can only be possessed by individuals who owned them on or before August 12, 2005, and obtained grandfathered permits. No new private ownership of these animals is permitted. Additionally, the Tegu has been added to the Prohibited Captive Wildlife Species List.
For a broader look at what you can and cannot keep in the state, see this guide to hedgehog ownership laws in Arkansas. Those bringing backyard poultry should also review the backyard chicken laws in Arkansas and rooster laws in Arkansas before arrival.
| Animal Type | CVI Required | Entry Permit Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dogs (privately owned) | No (recommended) | No | Rabies vaccination proof required for dogs 4+ months |
| Cats (privately owned) | No (recommended) | No | Rabies vaccination proof required for cats 4+ months |
| Pet Birds (psittacine/passerine) | Yes (within 30 days) | Yes | Permit from AR Livestock and Poultry Commission |
| Poultry (chickens, turkeys) | Yes (unless NPIP certified) | No | Must originate from Pullorum-clean flock |
| Zoo/Exotic Animals | Yes | Yes | AGFC Wildlife Importation Permit also required |
| Large Carnivores (bears, lions, tigers) | N/A | N/A | Prohibited — no new private ownership allowed |
Requirements for Pets Coming From Outside the United States
If you are moving to Arkansas from another country, your pet must clear federal requirements at the port of entry before state-level rules even apply. The CDC and USDA both play roles in regulating international pet imports, and the process is more involved than a simple domestic move.
Dogs Arriving From Outside the U.S.
The CDC enforces strict documentation requirements for all dogs entering the United States. The Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before the dog leaves the United States. For a dog receiving its first rabies vaccination, the form must be completed no less than 28 days after the vaccine was administered.
The country your dog is coming from determines which pathway applies. Dogs coming from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries do not require any other documents, but must still meet other requirements such as appearing healthy, having a microchip, and being at least 6 months of age. Dogs arriving from high-risk countries face additional hurdles. If foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries do not have a valid rabies serology titer, the dogs must be quarantined for 28 days at a CDC-registered animal care facility after they are examined and revaccinated.
Note that export health certificates issued after July 31, 2025, are not accepted for re-entry, and the importer will need to have the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form instead. Make sure you are using the correct, current documentation before your dog departs.
Key Insight: Microchipping is a federal requirement for international dog entry. Rabies vaccinations administered prior to the microchip implantation date are invalid because they cannot be verified. Always microchip your dog before administering the qualifying rabies vaccine.
Cats Arriving From Outside the U.S.
Federal rules for cats entering the U.S. are less complex than those for dogs. The CDC requires cats to be healthy to enter the U.S., and cats require no documentation of rabies vaccination at the federal level. However, once your cat enters the country and arrives in Arkansas, the state’s own rabies vaccination rules apply — meaning any cat over four months of age must be vaccinated or vaccinated within 30 days of arrival.
Exotic Animals and Birds From Outside the U.S.
Importing exotic animals or birds from outside the United States involves federal oversight from both USDA-APHIS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in addition to Arkansas’s state-level permit and CVI requirements. APHIS Veterinary Services has requirements only if your dog is coming from a country affected by foot-and-mouth disease or screwworm. For birds, USDA regulates importation due to avian disease risks, and many exotic species are subject to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) restrictions. Contact USDA-APHIS directly before attempting to import any exotic animal or bird from another country.
If you are also researching requirements in neighboring states, the pet import laws in Missouri and pet import laws in Texas guides cover the two states that border Arkansas to the north and south.
How to Find a Federally Accredited Vet Before You Move
A USDA-accredited veterinarian is not the same as a regular licensed vet. Federal accreditation means the veterinarian is authorized to issue official health certificates and complete government-required documentation for interstate and international animal movement. Finding one before your move is a critical step in the process.
The easiest way to locate a USDA-accredited vet is through the USDA’s National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) Lookup Tool, available on the APHIS website. You can search by state and zip code to find accredited practitioners near your current location.
If you are traveling internationally with birds or livestock, the accreditation category matters. If you are traveling with or shipping birds or livestock, make sure your veterinarian has a Category II accreditation status for completion of international health certificates for birds or livestock. Not all accredited vets hold Category II status, so confirm this detail when you call.
Here are the steps to follow when locating and working with a federally accredited vet:
- Visit the USDA NVAP Lookup Tool and search for accredited vets in your current zip code
- Call ahead to confirm the vet is currently accepting new clients and can issue a CVI for your specific animal species
- For birds or exotic animals, confirm the vet holds Category II accreditation
- Schedule your appointment at least 30 days before your planned move date to allow time for the CVI to be issued and any required permits to be processed
- Bring all existing vaccination records to the appointment so the vet can document your pet’s full history
- Request multiple certified copies of the CVI and any other documents — keep one set in your vehicle during transport
If you are planning to take your pet from the United States to another country, contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel. They will help you determine your destination country’s pet entry requirements, including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments, and assist you through the process of obtaining a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate or other needed paperwork. The same proactive approach applies to interstate moves involving species that require permits.
Other state guides that may be helpful as you plan your move include pet import laws in Colorado, pet import laws in Georgia, and pet import laws in North Carolina.
Who to Contact in Arkansas Before You Arrive With a Pet
Knowing which agency handles which type of animal will save you significant time when you have questions or need to apply for permits. Arkansas splits oversight between several agencies depending on the species and the nature of your concern.
Arkansas Department of Agriculture — Animal Health Programs
This is your primary contact for dogs, cats, birds, livestock, and most other animals entering the state. The department’s Animal Health division administers the state’s entry requirements and works in coordination with the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission.
- Website: agriculture.arkansas.gov — Animal Entry Requirements
- Phone: (501) 907-2400, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Mailing address: Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission, P.O. Box 8505, #1 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72215
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC)
The AGFC oversees captive wildlife, including exotic mammals, reptiles, and other non-domestic species. If your pet falls outside the common dog/cat/bird category, this is the agency to call first. Contact AGFC Licensing at 833-345-0325 for captive wildlife permit applications. You can also send species evaluation requests to captivewildlife@agfc.ar.gov for unlisted species.
USDA-APHIS (Federal)
For international pet imports or questions about federally regulated species, USDA-APHIS is the federal authority. Their state animal entry requirements page provides a state-by-state breakdown and links to official resources. For questions or clarification on any of the requirements, contact the state or territorial veterinarian’s office.
CDC (for international dog imports)
If you are bringing a dog into the U.S. from another country before relocating to Arkansas, the CDC manages the federal importation process. Their CDC Dog Import Form is completed online and is required for all dogs entering the United States from abroad.
Key Insight: Local city and county ordinances in Arkansas can be more restrictive than state law. Just because an animal is legal to own in the state does not mean the city you live in allows it. Many local cities and counties have their own restrictions on which animals are legal to keep. Check with your specific municipality before finalizing your move.
If you are moving from a state with its own set of pet import requirements, these guides can help you understand what documentation you may already have from your origin state: pet import laws in Illinois, pet import laws in Ohio, pet import laws in Pennsylvania, and pet import laws in Michigan.
Getting your paperwork in order before you arrive is far easier than sorting it out at the state line. Contact the relevant agency for your specific animal type as early as possible, schedule your vet appointment with enough lead time to meet the 30-day CVI window, and keep all original documents accessible during your entire journey into Arkansas.