What New Hampshire boarding facilities require for your pet

The legal baseline: what New Hampshire requires

New Hampshire requires rabies vaccination for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food (NHDAMF) oversees animal health and pet regulations statewide (NHDAMF — Pets, accessed Sep 3, 2026). Dogs must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of acquisition or by four months of age.

New Hampshire also has a notably active animal disease control program through the NHDAMF, monitoring for rabies and other communicable diseases that affect pets and livestock (NHDAMF — Animal Disease Control, accessed Sep 3, 2026). City-level licensing in Manchester, Nashua, and Concord all require proof of rabies vaccination before issuing dog licenses. This layered enforcement means boarding facilities can safely assume every pet should be vaccinated — and they verify it.

New Hampshire–specific boarding considerations

New Hampshire's geography and seasonal patterns create some unique boarding realities:

• Tick-borne diseases are a major concern: New Hampshire has one of the highest rates of Lyme disease in the United States. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services tracks tick-borne disease surveillance statewide (NH DHHS — Tick-Borne Disease, accessed Sep 3, 2026). Black-legged ticks (deer ticks) are established across the state, and anaplasmosis rates have been climbing. Boarding facilities with outdoor exercise areas — which is most of them in New Hampshire — typically require proof of current tick prevention, and many will ask about Lyme vaccination status.
• Seasonal boarding demand spikes: New Hampshire's tourism economy (ski season, leaf-peeping, lake season) creates predictable boarding demand surges. Fall foliage season (late September through mid-October) and winter holidays are particularly tight. Book early and submit vaccination records at reservation time — many NH facilities won't hold a spot without documentation on file.
• Kennel cough awareness in group settings: New Hampshire's active dog culture — hiking, dog parks, group daycare — means bordetella exposure is elevated. Facilities are particularly strict about bordetella timing, with many requiring vaccination within the last six months, not twelve.
• Cold-weather considerations: Winter temperatures in the White Mountains and North Country can drop below -20°F. Boarding facilities in northern New Hampshire manage this carefully, but short-coated breeds may face additional screening. Some facilities require disclosure of cold-weather sensitivities at intake.

What most New Hampshire boarding facilities require

Dogs

Cats

The Lyme factor

New Hampshire's Lyme disease rate is among the highest in the nation. For dogs, Lyme disease is transmitted by deer ticks and can cause joint pain, lethargy, fever, and in severe cases, kidney damage. The canine Lyme vaccine isn't universally required at boarding facilities, but it's increasingly common — especially at facilities in the Lakes Region, Seacoast, and Monadnock areas where tick density is highest.

Even if your boarding facility doesn't require the Lyme vaccine, they will almost certainly require proof of current tick prevention. If your dog hasn't been on tick prevention, start at least a month before boarding — and get your vet to document it.

What format do facilities accept?

Most New Hampshire boarding facilities accept:

• A printed vaccination record from your vet (the gold standard)
• A digital copy emailed or texted directly from your vet's office
• A screenshot or PDF from your pet's health record app — as long as it shows the vet's name, vaccine dates, and expiration dates

What they usually won't accept: your handwritten notes, a verbal confirmation, or a receipt that doesn't specify the 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 — many NH facilities require within 6 months
• Canine influenza (if required — growing in southern NH)
• Lyme vaccine (if required or recommended by your facility)
• Fecal exam results (if required — within last 6–12 months)
• Proof of current flea/tick prevention — critical in NH
• Spay/neuter certificate (if joining group play)
• Emergency contact information and your vet's phone number

Last verified: September 3, 2026. Individual facility requirements may exceed the minimums listed here. Always confirm with your specific boarding facility before your reservation date.