--- title: Canine Influenza (H3N2, H3N8) and Boarding | Happy Paws url: https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/canine-influenza/ 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/) - [Vaccines](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/) - Canine influenza # Canine influenza vaccine for boarding Happy Paws Kennels requires the canine influenza vaccine for dogs and accepts a dog for boarding after the first dose. The booster comes 3 to 4 weeks later, then yearly, and one vaccine covers both the H3N2 and H3N8 viruses. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) Dog flu is the vaccine owners most often ask about, because it needs two doses and the second one is easy to forget. Here is how the kennel handles it. ## The kennel's rule in plain words The kennel's vaccination page says there are two canine influenza viruses, H3N8 and H3N2, and that one vaccination covers both. The initial vaccination is followed by a booster in three to four weeks, and after the booster, annual updates are needed. The kennel accepts a pet for boarding after the initial dose. The kennel's warning is worth repeating: do not forget the booster, or you may have to start the process over. If your dog's first dose is on the record and the booster is due before or during the stay, get it on schedule and send the new record. ## What the illness looks like Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine describes canine influenza as a contagious respiratory disease, and its symptoms look much like kennel cough: cough, sneezing, fever, lethargy and nasal discharge. Most cases are mild. Because the signs overlap with other respiratory illnesses, only a veterinarian can say which one a dog has. The American Animal Hospital Association lists the influenza vaccine as noncore, chosen for dogs with group exposure, which is the situation for any boarding dog. ## Planning around the two doses Work backward from the drop-off date. The first dose can be on the record by the time you request a stay, and the booster date should fall on a day your veterinarian can fit in. If your dog has never had the vaccine, ask your vet's office for both appointments at once. The [timing page](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/timing-before-boarding/) shows how the kennel reads dates. Ask early for holiday dates. A stay that begins between November 19 and December 3, or between December 18 and January 8, falls inside a [holiday deposit window](https://happypawskennels.com/tools/holiday-deposit-checker/) (please call to confirm your dates), and a vaccine appointment is easier to book in October than in the week of Thanksgiving. ## Sending the record Upload the record to your ProPetware account with the booking request, email it to the kennel, or bring it on the first check-in day. The [canine flu question page](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/do-you-require-the-canine-flu-vaccine/) has the short answer for anyone in a hurry. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [Happy Paws Kennels vaccination requirements](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) - [Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: canine influenza fact sheet](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/FactSheetIV.pdf) - [AAHA 2022 Canine Vaccination Guidelines](https://www.aaha.org/resources/2022-aaha-canine-vaccination-guidelines/recommendations-for-core-and-noncore-canine-vaccines/) ### Before your first stay - [Vaccination records](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) current through pick-up day - A signed [boarding agreement](https://happypawskennels.com/boarding-contract/) - Pets 16 weeks or older - [Bring nothing but your pet](https://happypawskennels.com/what-to-bring/) ### 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 - [Vaccination requirements](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) - [Do you require the canine flu vaccine?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/do-you-require-the-canine-flu-vaccine/) - [Canine influenza](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/canine-influenza/) - [Canine respiratory illness outbreaks](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/dog-respiratory-illness/) - [How far ahead to vaccinate before a stay](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/timing-before-boarding/) - [Vaccines](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/vaccines/) ## Is my pet ready? Who is staying? Dog Cat Both Pick-up date Dog vaccines (required) Rabies Good until Distemper/Parvo (DHPP) Good until Bordetella (kennel cough) Good until Canine Influenza (H3N2 - H3N8) Good until Cat vaccines (required) Rabies Good until FVRCP Good until Tick each vaccine your pet has had. Add the date it runs out to check it against your pick-up day. This checks our boarding requirements, not your pet's health. Your veterinarian decides which vaccines your pet should have and when. Upload records to your [ProPetware account](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin), email them, or bring a copy at check-in. ## Read next - [FVRCP for cats](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/fvrcp/) - [Leptospirosis vaccine](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/leptospirosis/) - [Heartworm prevention in the Delta](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/heartworm-prevention/) - [Flea & tick prevention before boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/flea-and-tick-prevention/) - [Kennel cough](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/kennel-cough/) - [Kennel cough symptoms](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/kennel-cough-symptoms/) - [How long is kennel cough contagious?](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/how-long-is-kennel-cough-contagious/) - [Canine respiratory illness outbreaks](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/dog-respiratory-illness/) 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/). ### Does Happy Paws Kennels require the dog flu vaccine? Yes, canine influenza is one of the four vaccines on the dog list. ### Can my dog board after only the first dose? Yes. The kennel accepts a dog after the initial dose. Do not miss the booster. ### How long after the first dose is the booster? The kennel's page says three to four weeks. Your veterinarian sets the exact date. ### Does one vaccine cover both flu strains? Yes. The kennel's page says one vaccination covers H3N8 and H3N2.