The legal baseline: what Pennsylvania requires
Pennsylvania's Dog Law (3 P.S. §459-207) (accessed Aug 26, 2026) requires rabies vaccination for all dogs. The law mandates vaccination by a licensed veterinarian, and the certificate must include the dog's description, owner information, vaccine type, and expiration date.
Pennsylvania also regulates cats through the PA Code Title 7, Chapter 16 (accessed Aug 26, 2026), which requires rabies vaccination for cats and establishes guidelines for cat shelters and boarding facilities.
Boarding kennels in Pennsylvania are licensed and inspected by the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement (accessed Aug 26, 2026) under the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Kennel licenses are issued in categories based on the number of dogs housed — and facilities must meet specific standards for sanitation, space, ventilation, and veterinary care. This regulatory framework is why Pennsylvania kennels tend to be thorough with their intake paperwork.
What most Pennsylvania boarding facilities require
Dogs
| Vaccination / Record | Required? | How recent |
|---|---|---|
| Rabies | Yes — by law | Must be current (not expired) |
| DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Parainfluenza) | Yes — nearly universal | Within the last 1–3 years |
| Bordetella (kennel cough) | Yes — nearly universal | Within the last 6–12 months |
| Canine influenza (H3N2/H3N8) | Growing requirement, especially in the Philly/Pittsburgh metro | Within the last year |
| Fecal exam (negative) | Some facilities | Within the last 6–12 months |
| Flea/tick prevention | Most facilities | Current monthly treatment |
| Spay/neuter proof | Required for group play at most daycares | N/A |
Cats
| Vaccination / Record | Required? | How recent |
|---|---|---|
| Rabies | Yes — by law | Must be current |
| FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) | Yes — standard | Within the last 1–3 years |
| FeLV test (negative) | Some facilities | Within the last year |
| Flea treatment | Most facilities | Current monthly treatment |
Pennsylvania's kennel licensing: what it means for you
Unlike many states, Pennsylvania actively inspects boarding kennels. The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement conducts unannounced inspections, and facilities that fail can lose their licenses. For pet owners, this is good news — it means legitimate PA boarding facilities have a strong incentive to screen animals carefully before accepting them. That screening starts with your pet's vaccination records.
You can verify whether a facility is properly licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's kennel search. If a facility doesn't ask to see vaccination records, that's actually a red flag.
Lyme country: tick prevention matters here
Pennsylvania consistently ranks among the top states for Lyme disease cases. The tick risk is real from late spring through early fall across most of the state. Many PA boarding facilities require proof of current flea and tick prevention before they'll accept your dog — not just as a policy preference, but because the risk to every animal in the facility is genuine. Keep your preventatives current if you plan to board.
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 that don't specify the vaccine type and date.
Your boarding-ready checklist
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.