Issued by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Agriculture, Animal Health Unit, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
Selling any live animal needs the state pet shop license, applied for with written proof from the local zoning office that a pet shop is allowed at the address, and the shop is inspected under DEM’s animal care facility rules. Grooming alone needs no state license. Providence, Smithfield and other municipalities ban retail sales of dogs and cats; there is no statewide ban, so check the local ordinance before stocking puppies or kittens.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Agriculture, Animal Health Unit.
Sources and dates
R.I. Gen. Laws 4-19-5; DEM pet shop license application. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
Yes. Selling any live animal needs the state pet shop license, applied for with written proof from the local zoning office that a pet shop is allowed at the address, and the shop is inspected under DEM’s animal care facility rules.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Agriculture, Animal Health Unit.
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a pet shop license in Rhode Island? | DoorWorthy
