What boarding and daycare usually require
| Pet | Typically required | Often required |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs | Rabies, DHPP (distemper, parvo), Bordetella | Canine influenza, leptospirosis, a negative fecal test |
| Cats | Rabies, FVRCP | FeLV for cats that go outdoors |
Requirements vary by facility and by state, so confirm with the kennel before the stay. The rabies rules by state guide covers the legal floor; the kennel’s own policy usually sits above it.
The timing rule
Most places want vaccinations given at least a week or two before the stay, not the morning of, because Bordetella in particular takes time to protect and can cause mild symptoms just after it is given. A booster that is due the week you are away is the classic way to lose a booking.
What they will not accept
- A rabies tag on the collar on its own. They want the certificate, with the date, the product and the vet’s signature.
- A photo of a card with the dates cropped off.
- "The vet has it." They need to see it, today.
Handing it over with PawPass
Photograph each certificate into your pet’s vaccination record once. At the kennel, open the pet and show the QR code. Staff scan it with their own phone and see a read-only page with every vaccination, its date and your notes. No printing, no email chain, no app on their side. Keep the original certificates attached to the record for the rare place that wants to see the signature itself.
Set a reminder on each vaccination for a few weeks before it is due, and the next stay is booked before the booster lapses rather than after.
Common questions
- How far in advance should vaccinations be done before boarding?
- Ask the facility, but a week to two weeks is the common rule, and some want Bordetella at least 7 days before.
- Do daycares require the same as boarding?
- Usually yes for dogs: rabies, DHPP and Bordetella, with canine influenza increasingly common. Daycares often also ask for a negative fecal test.