A tag proves a dog had a rabies shot at some point. The record proves when, and until when.
What a tag tells you, and what it leaves out
A rabies tag usually carries a number and a year. A county license tag does the same job for licensing. Neither lists the product given, the date it expires for your pet, or whether distemper/parvo, Bordetella and canine influenza are current. The kennel's rule is that the records show the vaccines are up to date and will not expire during the stay, and a metal tag cannot show that.
What counts as a record
The rabies certificate your veterinarian gave you, or the full vaccination history printed from the clinic. The kennel asks for the certificate because it carries the date the shot was given and the expiration date, which a tag does not show. Cats work the same way, with rabies and FVRCP on the record.
Three ways to get it to the kennel
- Upload the record to your ProPetware account when you request the booking.
- Email a photo or PDF of the record to the kennel.
- Bring a paper copy to the first check-in.
Ask the clinic for the full history
Most veterinary offices can email the complete record in a few minutes. Ask for all vaccines on one page, since the kennel is looking for four on a dog and two on a cat. Send an updated copy after any booster so the file stays current. The sending records page and the upload walkthrough show each step.