(a) The 78th General Assembly of the State of Arkansas has found and declared that:

1. (1) Abuses exist within the pet store industry regarding:

   1. (A) Selling sick and injured animals to the public;
   2. (B) Failing to provide consumer guarantees for these animals consistent with their status as companions;
   3. (C) Failing to provide proper veterinary care;
   4. (D) Maintaining unsanitary and otherwise unhealthful conditions; and
   5. (E) Inhumane methods of killing sick and unwanted animals, and animals returned for failure of guarantee; and
2. (2) Such abuses should be minimized or eliminated immediately.

(b) The intent of Acts 1991, No. 1225, the "Arkansas Retail Pet Store Consumer Protection Act of 1991", and therefore the purposes of this rule, are to:

1. (1)

   1. (A) Require certain guarantees from retail pet stores to the purchasers of dogs and cats which are consistent with their unique status as companions rather than commodities.
   2. (B) See Acts 1991, No. 1225, § 5;

2. (2) Provide a means by which it can be insured that the treatment, care, and disposition of those animals is humane and that said treatment, care, and disposition is consistent with providing to the retail consumer animals which are:

   1. (A) Physically and temperamentally sound;
   2. (B) Healthy; and
   3. (C) Fit as companions;
3. (3) Provide a means by which the acquisition and care of those animals can be monitored; and
4. (4) Ensure that the animals and facilities are managed in a manner non-injurious to the public health.