Missouri regulates commercial dog facilities, including boarding kennels, pet shops, pounds, dealers, shelters, and commercial breeders, under the Animal Care Facilities Act (ACFA). This law sets statewide standards for licensing, inspections, and animal care, ensuring that facilities operate responsibly and provide safe, healthy environments for the dogs in their care. Local governments may also have additional rules that kennel owners must follow.
Do I Need A Dog Kennel License in Missouri?
If you’re operating any type of commercial kennel, boarding, breeding, sheltering, pet shop, pound, or dealer, you must have an ACFA license. Even if you’re running a pet grooming or training business that boards animals overnight, your facility is legally considered a commercial kennel and thus requires licensing.
Do I Need An LLC For A Dog Kennel?
State regulations under ACFA do not mandate that you operate as an LLC or any specific business structure. Licensing requirements focus on activity type and facility operation, not corporate form. Still, forming an LLC remains a popular option for kennel operators due to its liability protection and administrative clarity.
How Many Dogs Can You Own in Missouri?
Missouri does not impose a statewide cap on how many dogs you own. That said, local cities may enforce their own limits. For example, in Wentzville, a noncommercial kennel must obtain a permit and pay a small fee, and may only house up to five dogs. Always check your municipal codes to confirm local restrictions.
How Much Is A Dog Kennel License In Missouri?
Under state law (RSMo § 273.327):
- The base license fee is between $100-$2,500 annually (based on facility size or activity).
- An additional $25 fee supports Missouri’s Bark Alert program.
- Licenses are required per physical facility.
- Licensees must undergo inspections and comply with health and welfare standards.
In some municipalities, you may face additional local licensing fees, often modest, especially if operating noncommercial kennels (e.g., Wentzville’s $10 annual noncommercial kennel permit, with a limit on dog numbers).
Dog Kennel Regulations By Industry in Wisconsin
Missouri regulates most commercial dog operations under the Animal Care Facilities Act (ACFA). If you operate a boarding kennel, commercial kennel, shelter/rescue, pound, pet shop, dealer/broker, exhibitor, transport company, or you breed/sell dogs above the hobby threshold, you need an ACFA license, annual inspections, and compliance with recordkeeping and minimum-care standards in 2 CSR 30-9. Licensing is required by statute (RSMo 273.327), and the rules detail fees, inspections, and care standards.
Dog Boarding Regulations in Missouri
A “boarding kennel” is any place (including pet-sitting businesses) that shelters dogs not owned by the proprietor for pay. Boarding kennels must hold an ACFA license, be inspected at least annually, and must keep required animal records, standards for housing, sanitation, exercise, and transport appear in 2 CSR 30-9.020 and 2 CSR 30-9.030.
Dog Vet Regulations in Missouri
The Missouri Veterinary Medical Board regulates veterinarians and clinics under Chapter 340. Practicing veterinary medicine without a state license is unlawful, and the board sets minimum standards by rule. Clinics that also board animals commercially still fall under ACFA for that activity.
Dog Grooming Regulations in Missouri
Grooming by itself is not state-licensed, however, if a groomer keeps animals overnight, the facility is treated as a commercial kennel and must be ACFA-licensed (recordkeeping and inspection rules apply). A commercial kennel is defined in ACFA rules as a kennel that performs grooming or training services (with or without boarding).
Dog Shelter Regulations in Missouri
Animal shelters and rescues must be ACFA-licensed and are inspected annually. Shelters must meet minimum-care standards and maintain records; Missouri law also requires that animals adopted from public/private shelters have sterilization provisions (spay/neuter) under RSMo 273.403.
Dog Trainer Regulations in Missouri
The state does not license dog training unless dogs are boarded overnight, which makes the facility a commercial kennel requiring an ACFA license. For field training and trialing with game birds, the Missouri Department of Conservation issues Dog Training Area and Field Trial permits (e.g., 3 CSR 10-9.627, 3 CSR 10-9.625) and sets area-use rules.
Dog Breeder Regulations in Missouri
A commercial breeder (more than three intact females bred/selling offspring) must be ACFA-licensed. Breeders must comply with ACFA minimum standards plus the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act (RSMo 273.345), which strengthens care, housing, exercise, and veterinary-care requirements; ACFA rules incorporate these standards (e.g., exercise access and no wire-strand flooring).
K-9 Dog Facilities in Missouri
There is no separate statewide “K-9 facility” license. Activity determines oversight, facilities that board or train for pay may be commercial kennels under ACFA, field training/trials may require MDC permits, and any entity handling controlled substances for detection-dog training must obtain appropriate BNDD/DEA registrations. Law-enforcement K-9 programs may also follow agency certification policies.
Dog Kennel Laws By City in Missouri
Kennel requirements in Missouri vary from one city to another and are usually based on factors such as how many dogs you can keep, the size of the kennel, and other local ordinances. For the most current and reliable information, reach out to your city’s planning or zoning office using the chart provided below.
Dog Kennel Laws By County in Missouri
Dog kennel laws in Missouri can vary widely by county, even though the Animal Care Facilities Act (ACFA) sets statewide standards for commercial kennels. Local governments may impose additional requirements covering the number of dogs allowed, kennel size, zoning restrictions, and operating conditions, which means what applies in one county might not apply in another. To ensure compliance, always check with your county’s planning, zoning, or animal control office, as each county has its own ordinances, licensing procedures, and points of contact for kennel-related regulations.
Looking to Open a Dog Kennel Business?
Breeders, boarders, groomers, shelters, and trainers all need a dependable kennel to keep their operations running smoothly. We offer Amish-built commercial kennels built with durability, comfort, and ease of care in mind. Standard features include scratch-resistant flooring, composite runs, and easy-to-clean surfaces, with upgrade options like climate control, wash-down systems, whelping areas, and feeding stations. With a wide range of sizes and layouts, these kennels can be customized to match your business needs, from small setups to large-scale facilities.
