Most boarding facilities require current proof of rabies vaccination, core species-specific vaccines (DHPP for dogs, FVRCP for cats), and bordetella for dogs. Many now also require canine influenza vaccination — particularly in metro areas and states with active outbreaks. Bring documentation that shows the vaccine name, date administered, and expiration or due date.
- Dogs typically need: rabies, DHPP (distemper/parvovirus combo), bordetella, and increasingly canine influenza. Cats typically need: rabies and FVRCP (feline distemper combo).
- Facilities want records that show the specific vaccine name, date given, and when it expires — not just a note that says "up to date."
- If your pet has seen multiple vets, you'll need vaccination records from each one — or a consolidated record like Voocie that pulls them all together.
What vaccines do boarding kennels require for dogs?
The standard boarding vaccination requirements for dogs are:
- Rabies: Required by virtually every boarding facility and required by law in most states. Must be current (not expired). Your vet's rabies certificate shows the vaccine brand, lot number, date administered, and expiration date. A three-year vaccine given two years ago is still current; a one-year vaccine given 13 months ago is not.
- DHPP (or DA2PP): The core combination vaccine protecting against distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Also called the "distemper combo." Some formulations include leptospirosis (DHLPP) — most facilities accept either. Puppies completing their initial series may have an abbreviated status; facilities vary in how they handle this.
- Bordetella (kennel cough): Required by most facilities. Bordetella bronchiseptica is highly contagious in group settings. The vaccine is available as injectable, intranasal, or oral — all are generally accepted. Some facilities require the vaccine to have been administered at least 72 hours before check-in (to allow time for the intranasal version to take effect). Confirm with your specific facility.
- Canine influenza (CIV H3N2/H3N8): Increasingly required, especially at larger or metro-area facilities and in states with documented outbreaks (Florida, California, Colorado, and others). The two-strain bivalent vaccine covers both H3N2 and H3N8. First-time vaccination requires two doses given 2–4 weeks apart, so plan ahead if your dog hasn't been vaccinated before.
- Leptospirosis: Required by some facilities, particularly those in areas with wildlife exposure risk. Discuss with your vet whether it's appropriate for your dog's lifestyle.
What vaccines do boarding facilities require for cats?
Cat boarding facilities — including cat-only hotels and veterinary boarding — typically require:
- Rabies: Required everywhere, including for cats. Most facilities require a current rabies certificate.
- FVRCP (feline distemper combo): Protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus), calicivirus, and panleukopenia. The core feline vaccine. Must be current.
- Feline leukemia (FeLV): Some cat facilities require this, particularly for cats that may have outdoor exposure or unknown vaccination history. Not universally required but increasingly common.
Unlike dog boarding, bordetella is not typically required for cats (feline bordetella exists but is uncommon). Canine influenza is not a concern for cats.
What format should vaccination records be in for check-in?
Facilities want to see the actual vaccination certificate or medical record — not a handwritten note or verbal confirmation. What they're looking for:
- The vaccine name (brand or generic)
- Date administered
- Expiration or next-due date
- Administering veterinarian's name and license number (on the clinic letterhead or official record)
A printout from your vet's practice management software, a SOAP note from the visit, or a signed vaccination certificate all work. A photo of a handwritten sticky note does not. Most facilities accept emailed PDFs, fax, or in-person paper — some now accept a shareable digital link. If you use Voocie, confirm with your specific facility whether they accept a sharing link; most do if it includes the required fields.
How do I get vaccination records from multiple vets?
This is one of the most common boarding frustrations: your dog has seen three vets over five years, and you need to prove the bordetella was given by Vet A and the DHPP booster was given by Vet B. Options:
- Contact each clinic directly: Call or email and request a vaccination history printout. Most clinics will provide this at no charge, but processing time varies. Call at least a week before boarding drop-off.
- Use your Voocie record: If your vets have been CC'ing the pet's private Voocie address on visit summaries, your vaccination history is already consolidated. Generate a sharing link and confirm your facility accepts it.
- Upload past records to Voocie: Even if you're starting Voocie now, you can forward or upload past records. Once uploaded, they're part of the consolidated record.
See also: pet records for boarding and daycare: what facilities actually need for more detail on what different types of facilities accept.
Do boarding requirements vary by state?
Yes, in two ways. First, state law governs rabies vaccination requirements — the required vaccine schedule (1-year vs. 3-year), exemption processes, and enforcement vary by state. A rabies certificate that's valid in one state may be expired under another state's schedule. Second, some states have active canine influenza outbreak declarations that prompt local facilities to add influenza vaccination to their requirements even if it wasn't previously required.
For state-specific rabies laws and pet health requirements, see state pet health guides — pages exist for all 50 states.
How does Voocie help with boarding check-in?
When your vet CCs the pet's private Voocie address on visit summaries — including after every vaccine appointment — Voocie captures the vaccination data automatically. By the time you're booking boarding, your pet's complete vaccination history is already in one place. You share a link with the facility before drop-off (or bring a printed summary), and check-in goes smoothly.
If you've used multiple vets, Voocie consolidates records from all of them in one shareable view. No morning-of scramble. No fax requests. No calling the vet's office during the 20-minute window before they close. Voocie costs $99/year, or about $10/month. Start at voocie.com/start.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my dog to boarding if one vaccine is slightly expired?
Most facilities will not accept a pet with any expired required vaccine. If you're unsure whether a vaccine is still current, call your vet before drop-off day — not the morning of. "Slightly expired" is still expired in the facility's policy, and they'll typically turn the pet away rather than risk an outbreak among all the animals in their care.
How far in advance do I need bordetella before boarding?
Many facilities require bordetella to be administered at least 72 hours before check-in if the intranasal form is used, to allow time for the local immune response to develop. Injectable and oral forms have different timing considerations. Check with your specific facility and discuss the form and timing with your vet when you schedule the appointment.
Does my dog need the canine influenza vaccine if the facility doesn't require it?
That's a conversation for your vet, based on your dog's health status, lifestyle, and local outbreak risk. This page describes what boarding facilities require — not a recommendation about your pet's vaccination protocol. Your veterinarian is the right source for individualized vaccine recommendations.
What if my dog has a medical exemption from a required vaccine?
Some pets have documented adverse reactions or immune conditions that make certain vaccines medically contraindicated. Your veterinarian can provide a written exemption letter explaining the medical basis. Facilities vary in how they handle exemptions — some accept them, others cannot accommodate unvaccinated pets in a group care setting for liability and outbreak control reasons. Contact the facility before booking.
Can I email vaccination records to the boarding facility in advance?
Most facilities accept emailed PDFs of vaccine records before check-in — in fact, many prefer it so staff can verify before drop-off day. Some now accept a Voocie sharing link. Confirm your specific facility's preference when you make the reservation.