Every responsible breeder and every shelter should send you home with documentation — but what they're able to provide looks very different. Breeders typically have detailed records built over weeks; shelters often have records that begin only at intake. Knowing what to ask for from each source helps you walk in prepared and leave with everything your vet needs to continue your pet's care.
The checklists below cover dogs and cats from both sources. Use the one that matches your situation — and know which absences are understandable versus which are red flags.
- From a breeder: expect health certificates, vaccine records, genetic testing results, microchip papers, and registration documents. Missing genetic test results on an affected breed is a significant red flag.
- From a shelter: expect intake records, shelter-administered vaccines, and a spay/neuter certificate. Missing records are common for strays — not a red flag, just a starting point.
- Whatever you receive, bring it all to your vet's first visit. Even partial documentation helps. Then give your vet your pet's private Voocie address to start routing all future records automatically.
What records should I ask a breeder for?
The AKC Responsible Breeder checklist (accessed Sep 21, 2026) outlines the baseline expectations for reputable breeders. A responsible breeder should provide all of the following at or before pickup:
Health documentation
- Veterinary health certificate — a signed certificate from a licensed veterinarian confirming the puppy or kitten was examined and found healthy, typically within 10 days of sale; required by most states for pets sold across state lines
- Vaccine records — all vaccines administered, including product name, manufacturer, lot number, and date; the administering veterinarian's name and license number
- Deworming history — medication used, dosage, and dates of each treatment (responsible breeders typically deworm at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks)
- Fecal test results — if performed by the breeder's vet (a responsible breeder usually checks for parasites before sale)
Genetic and parental health testing
- OFA health test results — Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) clearances for the sire and dam for conditions relevant to the breed (hips, elbows, eyes, heart, etc.); results should be verifiable on the OFA public database (accessed Sep 21, 2026)
- CAER eye exam results — Companion Animal Eye Registry, formerly CERF, for breeds with hereditary eye conditions
- PennHIP reports — hip dysplasia screening for breeds prone to joint disease
- DNA panel results — breed-specific genetic tests (e.g., MDR1 for Collies, DM for German Shepherds, PRA for Goldens); many breeders use Embark or Optimal Selection
- Puppy genetic panel — some breeders now test individual puppies; if so, request a copy of the report
Registration and legal documents
- AKC or breed registry litter registration — the litter certificate that allows you to individually register your puppy
- Microchip number and registry — the chip ID and which registry it's enrolled in; you'll need to transfer registration to your name and contact information
- Sales contract — any health guarantee, return policy, or spay/neuter agreement
- Pedigree — at least a three-generation pedigree showing the sire and dam's registered names
Care information
- Current diet — the exact food, formula, and feeding schedule your puppy or kitten has been on; switching suddenly can cause GI upset
- Socialization notes — what the puppy has been exposed to, what training has started, any behavioral observations
- Parasite prevention history — any flea, tick, or heartworm preventives already given
What records should I ask a shelter for?
Shelters operate differently from breeders. Many animals arrive as strays with no prior history; the shelter's records begin at the moment of intake. The Humane Society of the United States adoption guide (accessed Sep 21, 2026) recommends asking specifically for the following at adoption:
Medical documentation from the shelter
- Intake assessment — what the shelter found on arrival: estimated age, weight, physical condition, any observations about the animal's history or temperament
- Shelter vaccine records — which vaccines were given at the shelter, on what dates, and with what products (shelters routinely vaccinate at intake, so this should exist for nearly every animal)
- Disease test results — for dogs: heartworm test; for cats: FIV/FeLV test; ask whether these were performed and request the results
- Spay/neuter certificate — date, performing veterinarian, and confirmation of procedure
- Microchip documentation — chip number and the registry the shelter used; you'll need to transfer ownership
- Medication records — any medications given during the shelter stay (antibiotics for a respiratory infection, flea treatment, deworming)
- Fecal test results — if performed during the shelter stay
- Behavioral assessment — the shelter's notes on temperament, interaction with other animals, training history, and any known behavioral triggers
What if the shelter can't provide records?
For strays and transfers from high-intake facilities, some records simply don't exist. This is different from a breeder failing to provide records — it reflects the realities of where the animal came from, not negligence. Your vet will help you establish a baseline from scratch. See our guide on adopted dogs with no medical history and rescue cat vaccine records for how to proceed.
What are the red flags that something is missing?
Not all missing records are equal. Here's how to tell the difference between understandable gaps and genuine warning signs:
Red flags from a breeder
- No health certificate from a vet. A reputable breeder has their vet examine puppies before sale. No certificate means no independent veterinary oversight of the litter's health.
- No OFA or genetic testing documentation on the parents. For any breed with known heritable conditions (which is most breeds), testing parents is the baseline of responsible breeding. A breeder who "doesn't do that" is not testing — they're guessing.
- Vaccine records that are handwritten but not from a vet. Breeders can administer some vaccines themselves in some states, but the documentation should still be complete and verifiable. Vague or incomplete records deserve scrutiny.
- Pressure to take the puppy before 8 weeks. Separating puppies before 8 weeks is illegal in many states and harmful developmentally. It's also a common pattern in high-volume operations that cut corners on health practices.
- Unwillingness to show you where the animals live or meet the dam. Transparency is a hallmark of responsible breeding. Resistance to basic questions about conditions warrants caution.
Red flags from a shelter (vs. understandable gaps)
- No vaccine records at all, with no explanation. Even the most under-resourced shelters typically vaccinate at intake. If there are no records and no explanation, ask directly. It's a gap worth understanding.
- A shelter that won't tell you whether FIV/FeLV testing was done. You're entitled to know what the shelter screened for — particularly for infectious diseases that affect your other pets.
- Misrepresentation of the animal's age or history. Honest shelters distinguish between what they know and what they're estimating. An organization that presents uncertain information as definite fact is one to approach with caution.
How do I transfer all of this into a permanent health record?
Once you have your pet's documents from the breeder or shelter, bring everything to your first vet visit. Your vet will review what you have, identify any gaps, and begin building the record from your pet's current status.
Before that visit, create a Voocie record for your new pet. They'll receive a private Voocie address — share it with your vet and ask them to CC it on every document they send going forward. Everything routes automatically into your pet's health story. If your breeder is also a Voocie user, they can hand the record directly to you at pickup via a claim link — your pet's story starts before they even come home.
FAQ
What if the breeder says the OFA results aren't available yet?
OFA results for the sire and dam should already exist — these are tested well before a litter is planned, not after. If a breeder says they're "not available yet," clarify whether the tests have been performed at all and ask to see the preliminary results. You can also look up parent dogs independently on the OFA public database if you have their registered names.
Can I get records from the shelter after I've already adopted?
Usually, yes. Most shelters retain records for a period of time after adoption and will email or release them on request. Contact the shelter's adoption department with your pet's intake number (usually on your adoption paperwork) and ask for a copy of their complete medical file.
What's an AKC litter certificate and do I need it?
An AKC litter certificate is what the breeder receives from the AKC when they register a litter. Each puppy from the litter can then be individually registered using that certificate. If you purchased a purebred dog intended for showing, breeding, or AKC events, individual registration matters. If you have a pet-only companion, individual registration is optional — but the paperwork to do it should still be offered to you at sale.
The shelter microchipped my pet — how do I transfer the registration?
The shelter will tell you which registry they used (HomeAgain, 24PetWatch, Found Animals, PetLink, etc.). Contact that registry directly with your pet's chip number and request a transfer of ownership to your name and contact information. Most registries charge a small annual fee for the service. Do this as soon as you get home — a chip that's registered to the shelter won't bring your pet back to you if they get lost.