--- title: Isolation Area | Happy Paws Kennels Glossary url: https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/isolation-area/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [Glossary](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/) - Isolation area # Isolation area An isolation area is a separate space where a sick pet can be kept apart from healthy pets. California's boarding law requires every pet boarding facility to maintain one. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) It is the quiet part of a kennel that you hope never to need. Its presence tells you the facility planned for illness. ## What the law says Health and Safety Code section 122381 lists the operator's responsibilities, including an area for isolating sick pets from healthy pets. The same chapter requires observing each pet at least once every 24 hours for signs of sickness, injury or distress, and notifying the owner immediately if a pet is sick or injured. Facilities must also keep written disease-control policies. ## Why it matters Respiratory illnesses such as kennel cough spread by air and by shared surfaces, and the Cornell Feline Health Center notes that respiratory infections are common where cats are kept together. Separating a coughing pet quickly protects the others. Vaccines add protection but cannot make a shared space risk-free, which is why the medical release says even fully vaccinated pets can catch contagious illnesses. ## How it relates to your stay Happy Paws requires rabies, distemper/parvo and Bordetella for dogs, and rabies and FVRCP for cats, with records good through the stay. Canine influenza is recommended but not required. Pets should arrive free of fleas and ticks. If a pet becomes ill, the agreement says the kennel contacts you, then your additional contact, then your emergency contact, and can obtain veterinary care at your expense. ## Questions to ask on a tour Ask where a sick pet would be kept, who decides and how owners are told. A clear answer shows a plan. Related pages: [what if my pet gets sick](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/what-if-my-pet-gets-sick/), [kennel cough](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/kennel-cough/) and [fixed enclosure](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/fixed-enclosure/). ## What you can do to help Keep a sick pet at home and call your vet before a stay. Make sure vaccines are up to date, and arrive flea and tick free, because a pet found with fleas after drop-off is bathed at the owner's cost. If your pet starts coughing a few days after pick-up, tell the kennel so other owners can be informed. Good communication is part of how a shared space stays healthy. ## Words to listen for On a tour, listen for specific answers: where, who decides, how fast the owner is called. Vague answers are a signal to ask more. A confident, simple explanation is a good sign. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [California Health and Safety Code 122380-122388, pet boarding facilities](https://www.animallaw.info/statute/ca-pet-boarding-facilities-chapter-11-pet-boarding-facilities) - [Happy Paws Kennels boarding agreement (PDF)](https://happypawskennels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Happy-Paws-Boarding-Agreement.pdf) - [Cornell Feline Health Center, respiratory infections](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/respiratory-infections) ### 2026 nightly rates - First Class kennel $72 - Business Class kennel $59 - Economy Class kennel $52 - Cat condo $35 All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026. [All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [What if my pet gets sick?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/what-if-my-pet-gets-sick/) - [Kennel cough](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/kennel-cough/) - [Fixed enclosure](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/fixed-enclosure/) - [Vaccination requirements](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) - [California's pet boarding facility law (HSC 122380-122388) in plain English](https://happypawskennels.com/data/california-pet-boarding-law/) ## Read next - [Bordetella](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/bordetella/) - [CIRDC](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/cirdc/) - [DHPP](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/dhpp/) - [FVRCP](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/fvrcp/) - [Canine influenza](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/canine-influenza/) - [Leptospirosis](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/leptospirosis/) - [Titer test](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/titer-test/) - [Rabies certificate](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/rabies-certificate/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### Will I be told if my pet is sick? The law requires immediate owner notice. The agreement lists the call order. ### Does isolation mean my pet is alone? It means apart from healthy pets. Ask the kennel how it is managed. ### Can a vaccinated pet get sick? Yes. Vaccines reduce risk but do not remove it. ### Should I tell the kennel if my pet gets sick after a stay? Yes. Call 707-678-6600 so the staff know.