Who needs a dog and cat dealer license and local animal permits in Tennessee?
Issued by Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Animal Health (rules chapter 0080-02-15); your city or county clerk, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
A shop that sells 25 or more dogs or cats a year is a retailer and licenses each location with the Department of Agriculture, with the yearly report and fee due by July 1; a store selling fewer, or only small animals, fish and birds, needs no state license. Grooming and boarding alone need no state license, though many cities permit kennels and boarding through the clerk or animal control. Anyone convicted of animal cruelty is barred from the license.
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 Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Animal Health (rules chapter 0080-02-15); your city or county clerk.
Sources and dates
Department of Agriculture dog and cat dealer rules, chapter 0080-02-15. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
Yes. A shop that sells 25 or more dogs or cats a year is a retailer and licenses each location with the Department of Agriculture, with the yearly report and fee due by July 1; a store selling fewer, or only small animals, fish and birds, needs no state license.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Animal Health (rules chapter 0080-02-15); your city or county clerk.
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.
