--- title: Must Vaccines Last Through the Whole Stay? | Happy Paws url: https://happypawskennels.com/questions/does-my-pets-vaccine-have-to-last-through-the-whole-stay/ 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/) - [FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/) - Does my pet's vaccine have to last through the whole stay? # Does my pet's vaccine have to last through the whole stay? Yes. Happy Paws Kennels needs the vaccination records on file to show every required vaccine is up to date and that none of them expires before your pet goes home. A vaccine that is valid on drop-off day but lapses on day five does not meet the rule. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) The fix is simple when you catch it early: a booster, then a new copy of the record. ## Count to the last day, not the first Take the date of pick-up and compare it with the expiration date on each certificate. For a dog that means rabies, distemper/parvo and Bordetella. Canine influenza is recommended but not required. For a cat it means rabies and FVRCP. If every date falls after the day you plan to leave, the records pass. If one falls inside the stay, that vaccine needs to be renewed before you arrive. ## The vaccine that trips people up Bordetella and canine influenza have shorter cycles than rabies, so they are the ones that most often come due between booking and travel. Canine influenza is recommended rather than required; a dog that has it is accepted after the first dose, with the booster due three to four weeks later and then every year. If your dog is on the initial two-dose series, do not skip the second dose, because the booster date is part of the record. ## Why the kennel is strict about it Dogs and cats at the kennel share a property with other pets, and boarding is a place where respiratory illness can pass from one animal to another. Current vaccines are part of keeping the whole kennel healthy. The agreement owners sign also notes that even a fully vaccinated pet can catch a contagious illness, which is why the records are one layer of care and not the only one. ## What to do if a date is close Call your veterinarian and ask for the booster before your trip. Then send the updated record through ProPetware, by email, or in person. The [timing page](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/timing-before-boarding/) explains how far ahead to vaccinate, and the [vaccine readiness checker](https://happypawskennels.com/tools/vaccine-readiness-checker/) lets you test your dates against a stay. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [Happy Paws Kennels vaccination requirements](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) - [Happy Paws Boarding Agreement (PDF)](https://happypawskennels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Happy-Paws-Boarding-Agreement.pdf) ### 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 - [How far ahead to vaccinate before a stay](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/timing-before-boarding/) - [Vaccine readiness checker](https://happypawskennels.com/tools/vaccine-readiness-checker/) - [Which vaccines do you require?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/which-vaccines-do-you-require/) - [How to send vaccine records](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/sending-vaccine-records/) - [Vaccines](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/vaccines/) - [FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/) ## Read next - [Is the kennel cough vaccine required by California law?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/is-the-kennel-cough-vaccine-required-by-california-law/) - [Is a rabies tag enough proof of vaccination?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/is-a-rabies-tag-enough-proof-of-vaccination/) - [How much does it cost to board a dog for a week?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/how-much-does-it-cost-to-board-a-dog-for-a-week/) - [How much does it cost to board a cat for two weeks?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/how-much-does-it-cost-to-board-a-cat-for-two-weeks/) - [How much does it cost to board a dog for a month?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/how-much-does-it-cost-to-board-a-dog-for-a-month/) - [How much does it cost to board two dogs?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/how-much-does-it-cost-to-board-two-dogs/) - [How much is dog day care for a week?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/how-much-is-dog-day-care-for-a-week/) - [How much does a weekend stay cost?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/how-much-does-a-weekend-stay-cost/) 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/). ### What if the vaccine expires one day after pick-up? That passes: the record has to be good through the end of the stay. ### Where do I send the new record? Your ProPetware account, an email, or a printed copy at check-in.