What boarding facilities actually require
Every boarding facility sets its own requirements, but the core list is remarkably consistent across the industry. If you've ever been turned away at drop-off, it was almost certainly one of these:
Vaccination records (non-negotiable)
- Rabies. Required by virtually every facility — and by law in most states. The facility needs proof of a current rabies vaccination, including the date administered and the expiration date. An expired rabies certificate means your pet doesn't board. Period.
- DHPP (dogs) / FVRCP (cats). The core combination vaccine. Dogs need distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Cats need feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. Most facilities require this to be current within the past 1–3 years depending on the vaccine protocol.
- Bordetella (dogs). The "kennel cough" vaccine. This is the one that catches people off guard — many facilities require it to be administered at least 48 hours before boarding, and some require it within the past 6 months (not 12). If your dog hasn't had a Bordetella booster since spring, call your vet now.
Increasingly required
- Canine influenza (H3N2/H3N8). After several regional outbreaks over the past few years, more boarding facilities — especially in metro areas — now require the canine flu vaccine. It's a two-dose initial series, so if your dog hasn't started it, you may not complete it before this weekend. Ask the facility whether they require it or recommend it.
- Leptospirosis. Increasingly required in areas with wildlife exposure. Some facilities bundle this with the DHPP requirement.
Beyond vaccines
- Current medication list. If your pet takes any medications — daily, weekly, monthly — the facility needs the name, dose, frequency, and any special instructions (give with food, refrigerate, etc.). This includes monthly heartworm and flea/tick preventatives.
- Emergency contact info. Your cell, a backup person who can make decisions if they can't reach you, and your vet's name and phone number.
- Feeding instructions. Brand, amount, frequency. If your pet has food allergies or a prescription diet, bring the food — don't assume the facility stocks it.
- Behavioral notes. Does your dog resource-guard food bowls? Is your cat stressed by other animals? These aren't embarrassing — they help the staff keep your pet safe and comfortable.
Why the holiday weekend makes this harder
Here's the pattern that plays out every Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas:
- You call the boarding facility on Wednesday to confirm the drop-off. They remind you they need updated vaccination records.
- You call your vet to request the records. Your vet's office is short-staffed before the holiday or already closed for the long weekend.
- You dig through email looking for the PDF from the last vet visit. You find one from 14 months ago — and the Bordetella on it expired in June.
- The boarding facility can't accept your pet without current records. Your weekend plans are now a problem.
This isn't hypothetical. Boarding facilities report that incomplete or expired vaccination records are the single most common reason for last-minute cancellations around holiday weekends.
The real problem: records scattered across multiple vets
If your pet has been to more than one vet — a primary-care vet, a vaccine clinic, an urgent-care visit — their records are probably split across multiple offices. Each vet has their own system, their own PDF format, and their own process for releasing records (some require a signed release form, some just email them, some still fax).
When the boarding facility asks for "current vaccination records," they want everything in one place. Most pet owners can't produce that on short notice — especially the Thursday before a long weekend.
How to actually get ready this week
If you're boarding your pet this Labor Day and you haven't confirmed your paperwork yet, here's the action plan — prioritized by what's hardest to fix last-minute:
Today (Wednesday/Thursday)
- Call the boarding facility and ask for their exact requirements. Don't assume — ask. Some facilities have updated their vaccine requirements since last time. Get the list in writing (email or text) so there's no confusion at drop-off.
- Check your pet's Bordetella date. If it was more than 6 months ago, call your vet today to schedule a booster. Many vets offer walk-in vaccine appointments. The 48-hour-before-boarding rule means Thursday is your last day for a Saturday drop-off.
- Ask your vet to email a complete, current vaccination summary. If your pet's records are in Voocie, you can export and send them to the facility directly — no phone call to the vet needed, even if the clinic is closed.
Friday
- Write up the medication list. Name of every medication, dose, how often, and any special instructions. Include monthly preventatives — if the heartworm or flea/tick dose falls during the boarding window, the facility needs to know.
- Pack the pet's food and any medications. Label everything. Boarding staff handle dozens of animals — clear labels prevent mix-ups.
- Double-check emergency contacts. Make sure your backup contact knows they're your backup and can actually make medical decisions if needed.
At drop-off
- Bring printed or digital copies of all vaccination records. Some facilities keep them on file from last time — confirm this before assuming.
- Walk through the medication list with the staff in person. Don't just hand them a bag of pills. Make sure they know what each one is, when to give it, and what to do if your pet refuses it.
- Confirm the pickup time and any checkout procedures. Some facilities have specific holiday-weekend hours. Know when you can pick up your pet and who to call if your travel plans change.
The boarding prep checklist
After the long weekend: keeping this easy for next time
The reason this feels stressful every holiday is that most pet owners rebuild their records packet from scratch each time. The fix is simple: keep everything in one place, year-round.
When every vaccination, every vet visit, and every medication change lands in one health story, the next boarding drop-off is a two-minute export — not a two-day scavenger hunt. Your vet emails records to your pet's @voocie address; the records organize themselves. Next time the boarding facility asks, you're already ready.
This article is for informational purposes only. Boarding requirements vary by facility — always confirm directly with your boarding provider. Last updated: September 3, 2026.