What Massachusetts law requires
Massachusetts regulates boarding kennels through municipal licensing under MGL Chapter 140, §137A (accessed August 29, 2026). Boarding facilities must hold a kennel license issued by the city or town, and many municipalities require annual inspections. The state also mandates rabies vaccination for all dogs and cats under MGL Chapter 140, §145B (accessed August 29, 2026) — which means every boarding facility will ask for proof of current rabies vaccination at minimum.
Beyond the state mandate, individual facilities set their own vaccination and health requirements. Most facilities in Massachusetts require significantly more than just rabies.
Standard vaccination requirements at Massachusetts boarding facilities
While each facility sets its own rules, the following is what the vast majority of Massachusetts boarding kennels and doggy daycares require:
For dogs
- Rabies — Current certificate required by state law. Must show vaccination date, expiration date, and administering veterinarian. One-year and three-year vaccines are both accepted as long as the expiration date hasn't passed.
- DHPP (distemper combo) — Current vaccination covering distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Most facilities require this to be current within the last 1–3 years depending on the vaccine manufacturer's schedule.
- Bordetella (kennel cough) — This is the one that catches people off guard. Nearly every Massachusetts boarding facility requires bordetella vaccination administered within the last 6–12 months. Some facilities require it at least 5–7 days before check-in (the vaccine needs time to build immunity). Intranasal and injectable forms are both accepted at most facilities, but ask ahead — a few places specify one form.
- Canine influenza (H3N2/H3N8) — Increasingly required in the Boston metro area and other high-density regions. Not every facility requires it yet, but the trend is toward mandatory. If you board frequently, ask your vet about adding it to your dog's schedule.
- Leptospirosis — Some facilities in Massachusetts recommend or require it, particularly in areas with outdoor play spaces, standing water access, or proximity to wooded areas. More common as a requirement in western Massachusetts and Cape Cod facilities.
- Negative fecal test — Some facilities require a negative fecal parasite test within the last 6–12 months, especially for dogs that will be in group play settings.
For cats
- Rabies — Required by state law.
- FVRCP (feline distemper combo) — Current vaccination covering feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. Required by most catteries and boarding facilities that accept cats.
- FeLV test — Some cat boarding facilities require a recent negative feline leukemia test, especially if cats share common areas.
Health requirements beyond vaccines
- Current flea and tick prevention. Most Massachusetts facilities require proof that your pet is on active flea and tick prevention, especially during tick season (April through November). Massachusetts has high Lyme disease prevalence — Mass.gov reports (accessed August 29, 2026) that Massachusetts consistently ranks among the top states for Lyme disease cases, making tick prevention a serious concern for facilities that offer outdoor play.
- Spay/neuter status. Some facilities require dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered to participate in group play. Others accept intact animals but house them separately.
- Behavioral assessment. Many Massachusetts daycares require a temperament evaluation (often a half-day trial) before accepting a new dog for group play.
Timing matters
The most common boarding mistake in Massachusetts: calling to book a last-minute holiday reservation and discovering your dog's bordetella vaccine expired two weeks ago. Most facilities won't accept a dog vaccinated the same day — bordetella needs 5–7 days to take effect.
Plan at least 2 weeks before your boarding date to check all vaccine status dates. If anything needs updating, that gives your vet time to administer the vaccine and your dog time to build immunity before check-in.
How to have records ready
- Call the facility first. Ask for their specific vaccination requirements and any health form they need filled out. Some Massachusetts kennels have their own intake forms that need a vet signature.
- Check all vaccine dates. Pull up your dog's records and verify every required vaccine is current — not just rabies, but bordetella, DHPP, and any facility-specific requirements.
- Get updated records from your vet. Most vets can email you a vaccination summary. If you use Voocie, your vet can email records directly to your pet's @voocie address and the records are always current.
- Forward records to the facility. Most Massachusetts boarding facilities accept emailed vaccination records. Some use online portals. A few still want a fax from the vet (yes, really).
Last verified: August 29, 2026. Boarding requirements vary by facility — always confirm directly with the kennel or daycare before your reservation. This guide covers typical Massachusetts requirements; individual facilities may have additional rules.