--- title: Dog Rabies Shot Schedule in California | Happy Paws Kennels url: https://happypawskennels.com/questions/how-often-do-dogs-need-rabies-shots-in-california/ 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/) - How often do dogs need rabies shots in California? # How often do dogs need rabies shots in California? California law requires a licensed veterinarian to vaccinate a dog against rabies once the dog is three months old, at intervals the state health department prescribes. Rabies vaccines come as 1-year and 3-year products, your veterinarian chooses the product, and Happy Paws Kennels checks the expiration date on the certificate. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) This page answers only the interval. The kennel's full dog rabies page covers the rest of the rabies rules. ## What the law says about timing California Health and Safety Code section 121690 sets two clocks for a dog. The first is age: a dog three months or older has to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian using a vaccine the state has approved. The second is spacing: the vaccine is given at intervals of not more often than once a year, as the state health department prescribes. A veterinarian who documents a medical reason can write an exemption, but that is the exception and it is the vet's call, not the owner's. ## One-year and three-year vaccines Rabies vaccines for dogs come as 1-year and 3-year products, and your veterinarian chooses the product and sets the booster schedule for your dog. The certificate your vet hands you shows the date given and the date it is good through. That second date is the one a kennel cares about. ## What Happy Paws checks at the front desk No dog is accepted without proof of a current rabies vaccine. The kennel keeps a copy of your dog's vaccination records on file, and the records have to show the rabies shot is up to date and will not run out before the last day of the stay. A certificate with eleven months left is fine for a week at the kennel. A certificate that expires on day four of a ten-day stay is not, even though the dog is legal on the day you drop off. ## A simple way to stay ahead of it Put the rabies expiration date on your calendar the day you receive the certificate, and look at it again whenever you book. If the date falls inside your travel window, schedule the booster before you come. Upload the new certificate to your ProPetware account, email it, or bring a copy at check-in. The [how to send records page](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/sending-vaccine-records/) walks through each option, and the [dog rabies vaccine page](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/rabies-dogs/) has the rest of the rules. ## Dogs that are overdue A dog whose rabies vaccine has lapsed needs a visit to the veterinarian before the stay, and then the new certificate goes on file. Call 707-678-6600 if you are not sure which date applies to your dog. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [California Health and Safety Code section 121690 (leginfo)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=121690.&lawCode=HSC) - [Happy Paws Kennels vaccination requirements](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) - [California Department of Public Health, rabies](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Rabies.aspx) ### 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 - [Rabies vaccine for dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/rabies-dogs/) - [How to send vaccine records](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/sending-vaccine-records/) - [How far ahead to vaccinate before a stay](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/timing-before-boarding/) - [Which vaccines do you require?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/which-vaccines-do-you-require/) - [Vaccines](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/vaccines/) - [FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/) ## Read next - [Is the rabies vaccine required for cats in California?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/is-the-rabies-vaccine-required-for-cats-in-california/) - [Does the FVRCP vaccine expire?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/does-the-fvrcp-vaccine-expire/) - [Does my pet's vaccine have to last through the whole stay?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/does-my-pets-vaccine-have-to-last-through-the-whole-stay/) - [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/) 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/). ### Is a rabies shot needed every year in California? Not always. Rabies vaccines come as 1-year and 3-year products, and the veterinarian chooses which one your dog gets. The certificate's expiration date shows when the next one is due. ### Does Happy Paws need the certificate or just the tag? A copy of the vaccination records goes on file. The tag alone does not show the dates.