Boarding vaccines explained: what we require and why

Shared air and shared fences mean a boarding kennel leans on vaccines. The requirement list is short, but the timing catches people out, most often with canine influenza, which needs a second dose.

At a glance

• Dogs: rabies, distemper/parvo, Bordetella, canine influenza
• Cats: rabies and FVRCP
• Recommended for dogs: leptospirosis, heartworm and flea prevention
• Upload records to your online account, email them or bring them to the first check-in

Dogs: four required vaccines

Rabies is required by California law for dogs, with few exceptions, and no dog is accepted without proof of a current certificate. Distemper/parvo is often given as one combination shot. Bordetella, the kennel cough vaccine, can be an injection, nose drops or an oral dose. Canine influenza (H3N2 and H3N8) is accepted after the first dose, with a booster three to four weeks later and then a yearly dose, so do not skip the booster.

Cats: two required vaccines

Cats need rabies and FVRCP, the feline combination vaccine that covers rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. Cats also need to be at least 16 weeks old before the first day of the stay.

The timing rule that matters

Records must show that no vaccine expires during the stay. A dog whose Bordetella runs out on day three of a ten-day trip needs a booster before drop-off. The vaccine readiness checker turns your pet's dates into a to-do list, and the timing page explains how far ahead to book your vet.

Recommended, not required

The kennel recommends leptospirosis vaccine, heartworm prevention and flea prevention for dogs. Pets should arrive flea and tick free; if a problem is found after drop-off, the pet is bathed at the owner's cost.

Topic pages

Each vaccine below has its own page, along with schedules for puppies and kittens, kennel cough, titer tests, rabies exemptions and how to send your records.