Indiana's statewide rabies vaccination requirement
Under Indiana Code IC 15-20-1-5 (accessed August 30, 2026), all dogs, cats, and ferrets in Indiana must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. This requirement applies statewide regardless of whether your city or county has a licensing program. Your vet will issue a numbered rabies certificate at the time of vaccination — keep that document, because you'll need it for boarding, licensing, travel, and any animal control interaction.
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (in.gov/boah, accessed August 30, 2026) is responsible for enforcing animal health laws in Indiana, including rabies control and responding to rabies exposure incidents.
Indiana's heartworm belt: what pet owners need to know
Indiana sits in the Midwest heartworm transmission zone. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) (accessed August 30, 2026), mosquito-transmitted heartworm disease is present across Indiana, with higher prevalence in counties along the Wabash River and Ohio River corridors. Indiana veterinarians typically recommend year-round heartworm prevention for dogs, and testing annually.
Heartworm is not a vaccination but a prevention protocol — your vet's records of annual heartworm tests and prescribed prevention are important documents to maintain alongside your vaccination records. Many Indiana boarding facilities now request proof of heartworm prevention.
Lyme disease and tick-borne risks in Indiana
Indiana's wooded parks, state forests, and rural areas carry tick exposure risk. Lyme disease transmission via black-legged ticks (deer ticks) is documented in Indiana, particularly in the northern counties. The Lyme vaccine is not required by Indiana law but is recommended by many Indiana veterinarians for dogs with outdoor exposure. Keep records of any Lyme vaccination your dog receives alongside core vaccine records.
What vaccination records Indiana pet owners should maintain
| Record Type | Required by Law? | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabies certificate | ✓ Yes — IC 15-20-1 | Every 1–3 years (per vaccine type) | Keep the original certificate from your vet |
| DHPP (distemper, parvo combo) | ✗ No — AAHA guideline | Puppy series, then every 1–3 years | Required by most boarding facilities |
| Bordetella | ✗ No — facility requirement | Every 6–12 months | Required by nearly all Indiana boarding facilities |
| FVRCP (cats) | ✗ No — AAFP guideline | Kitten series, then every 1–3 years | Required by cat boarding facilities |
| Heartworm test result | ✗ No | Annually recommended | Required by some Indiana boarding facilities |
| Lyme vaccine | ✗ No | Annually if given | Recommended for dogs with tick exposure in Indiana |
When you'll need your Indiana vaccination records
- Boarding and daycare: Rabies and bordetella at minimum; many facilities require the full core series
- City and county pet licensing: Rabies certificate is required wherever licensing is mandatory (Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend)
- Travel out of state: A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) citing current vaccinations is required by many states
- New vet visits: Having your full history ready speeds up the intake process and helps your vet make better decisions
- Animal bite incidents: Indiana law requires documentation of current rabies vaccination; unvaccinated animals face quarantine
Last verified: August 30, 2026. Vaccination recommendations are guidelines from AAHA and AAFP; always consult your Indiana veterinarian for your pet's specific needs. This page is informational — talk to your vet about your pet's health.