Indiana's oversight of boarding and kennel facilities
Commercial kennels, boarding facilities, and animal care businesses in Indiana are registered and overseen by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) (accessed August 30, 2026). BOAH requires commercial animal care facilities — including boarding kennels, grooming salons, and shelters — to register and meet sanitation and welfare standards. This regulatory framework means licensed Indiana facilities are inspected, creating a baseline of care across the state.
Rabies vaccination is required statewide for dogs, cats, and ferrets under Indiana Code IC 15-20-1 (accessed August 30, 2026). Every boarding facility in Indiana enforces this as a non-negotiable — no current rabies certificate, no admission.
What Indiana boarding facilities typically require
| Vaccine / Requirement | Required by Most? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rabies | ✓ Universal | Required statewide by law; boarding facilities universally enforce it |
| Bordetella (kennel cough) | ✓ Standard | Required by the vast majority of Indiana boarding facilities; often required within 6 months |
| DHPP (distemper, parvo, etc.) | ✓ Standard | Core vaccine series required at most facilities; boosters must be current |
| FVRCP (cats) | ✓ Standard for cats | Feline core combo required by most cat-boarding facilities |
| Heartworm prevention proof | ◐ Increasingly common | Indiana is in the Midwest heartworm belt — many facilities request proof of prevention |
| Leptospirosis | ◐ Rural facilities | Recommended in Indiana due to wildlife exposure in rural and wooded areas |
| Canine influenza (H3N2/H3N8) | ◐ Urban facilities | Indianapolis and Fort Wayne area facilities increasingly require it after regional outbreaks |
Indiana's heartworm climate and boarding
Indiana sits firmly in the Midwest heartworm transmission zone. Mosquito season typically runs May through October, though warming trends have extended that window. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) (accessed August 30, 2026), Indiana counties along the Ohio River and in central Indiana show consistent heartworm prevalence. Many Indiana boarding facilities — particularly in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and South Bend — now ask owners to confirm their pet is on heartworm prevention as a condition of boarding, especially for extended stays.
If your dog isn't on year-round prevention, plan for a vet visit before boarding season. Records of heartworm testing and prevention can be forwarded directly to the facility.
Holiday boarding in Indiana
Indiana facilities — especially in Indianapolis and Carmel — book up quickly around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Indianapolis 500 weekend in May. Most require all vaccination paperwork to be on file before the first day of boarding, not at drop-off. Plan for a vaccination update visit at least 2–4 weeks in advance of major holidays: some facilities require bordetella to be given at least 5–7 days before the first boarding stay to take effect.
Your pre-boarding checklist for Indiana
Last verified: August 30, 2026. Vaccine requirements vary by facility — always confirm with your specific boarding provider before your pet's stay.