What Michigan boarding facilities require for your pet

The legal baseline: what Michigan requires

Michigan requires rabies vaccination for dogs under the Dog Law of 1919 (MCL 287.262) (accessed Aug 26, 2026). All dogs four months of age and older must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. While the state doesn't have a blanket cat vaccination mandate, many Michigan counties require rabies vaccination for cats through local ordinances.

Boarding kennels are regulated under Michigan's Large-Scale Dog Breeding Kennel Act and the Animal Industry Act (MCL 287.331 et seq.) (accessed Aug 26, 2026). The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) licenses and inspects commercial boarding facilities, requiring standards for housing, sanitation, veterinary care, and record-keeping.

Michigan's MDARD Rabies Prevention page (accessed Aug 26, 2026) coordinates with county health departments on rabies surveillance and vaccination enforcement. The state maintains active wildlife rabies monitoring, particularly for bats and skunks, which drives the strict vaccination requirements at boarding facilities.

What most Michigan boarding facilities require

Dogs

Cats

Leptospirosis: Michigan's extra requirement

Michigan is one of the states where leptospirosis vaccination is increasingly required by boarding facilities — not just recommended. Lepto is a bacterial infection spread through contaminated water, and Michigan's abundant lakes, rivers, and wildlife (especially raccoons and deer) create higher-than-average exposure risk. Dogs that swim in lakes, hike near rivers, or spend time in wooded areas are particularly vulnerable.

Not all vets include leptospirosis in routine vaccination schedules, so it catches some owners off guard when a boarding facility requires it. If you're planning to board in Michigan, ask your vet about adding lepto — it's a separate vaccine from DHPP, though some combination vaccines (DHLPP) include it.

Michigan's Great Lakes factor

Michigan's geography — surrounded by the Great Lakes with extensive freshwater recreation — means dogs here spend more time in and around water than in most states. This drives two boarding-related realities: higher leptospirosis risk (see above) and stricter flea/tick requirements from May through October. Ticks are active across Michigan's Lower Peninsula and increasingly common in the Upper Peninsula. Boarding facilities in recreational areas near the lakes may ask additional questions about recent water exposure and parasite prevention.

Detroit metro vs. rural Michigan

Metro Detroit facilities tend to have the most comprehensive requirements — canine flu, lepto, fecal exams, sometimes a health certificate. Rural and Up North facilities may stick closer to the basics: rabies, DHPP, bordetella. Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor facilities fall somewhere in between. If you board across the state, keeping your pet current on everything saves you from checking each facility's list.

What format do facilities accept?

• A printed vaccination record from your vet
• A digital copy emailed directly from your vet's office
• A PDF or screenshot from a health record app — showing vet name, vaccine dates, and expiration dates

What they usually won't accept: handwritten notes, verbal confirmations, or receipts without vaccine type and date.

Your boarding-ready checklist

• Rabies certificate — current, showing vaccine date and expiration
• DHPP vaccination record — within last 1–3 years
• Bordetella vaccination — check facility's timeline (6 or 12 months)
• Leptospirosis vaccination (if required — within last year)
• Canine influenza (if required — especially in Detroit/Grand Rapids)
• Fecal exam results (if required — within last 6–12 months)
• Proof of current flea/tick prevention
• Spay/neuter certificate (if joining group play)
• Emergency contact information and your vet's phone number

Last verified: August 26, 2026. Individual facility requirements may exceed the minimums listed here. Always confirm with your specific boarding facility before your reservation date.