A question about boarding without vaccinations is often a real medical question. Here is the law, the kennel's rule and what to do.
What the law says
California Health and Safety Code section 121690 requires dog owners to have their dog vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian once the dog is three months old, at intervals set by the state. The same section has an exemption that a veterinarian can document, for example when the vaccine would endanger an individual dog's health. The exemption is decided by your veterinarian, for your dog, and it is documented in writing.
Most exemptions are time-limited or tied to a condition, so ask your veterinarian to state the reason and the dates in the letter. A clear letter helps you in every setting, from the county licensing office to a boarding kennel.
What the kennel's page says
The kennel's vaccination page says California law requires dogs to be vaccinated for rabies with a few special exceptions, and that the kennel is not able to accept a dog without proof of an up-to-date rabies vaccination. So a written exemption does not fit the kennel's stated requirement. The kennel also asks that cats have a current rabies record.
What to do if your dog has an exemption
Call 707-678-6600 before you plan a trip. Explain the situation and ask the staff how they handle it, so you know before you book anything. Your veterinarian can write a letter, and a phone call costs nothing. Other vaccines on the list are separate questions; each is current or not on its own record.
Calling early matters because other arrangements, such as a sitter at home, may suit a dog in this situation better than a group setting. The boarding and in-home sitter comparison sets out the differences.
Other ways to plan
Ask your veterinarian whether a different schedule or product is possible, and ask the kennel about dates. The page about titer tests explains why antibody results are a different thing from a vaccination record. The full requirements are on one page, and the rabies page covers the basics.
