VetKeeperProof of vaccination for boarding and daycare
Almost every kennel, daycare and many groomers will ask for proof that your pet's vaccines are current before the first visit. Being turned away at drop-off is avoidable — here's what they usually want.
Vaccines commonly required
Every facility sets its own list, so always check theirs. Typical requirements:
| Usually required | Sometimes required | |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs | Rabies; distemper/parvo combination (DHPP/DAPP); Bordetella (kennel cough) | Canine influenza; leptospirosis; a recent negative fecal test |
| Cats | Rabies; FVRCP (feline distemper combination) | Feline leukemia (FeLV), or a negative FeLV/FIV test |
Many places also want flea and tick prevention to be current. See our dog vaccine schedule guide for what each vaccine is.
What usually counts as proof
- Records from a veterinary clinic — a vaccine history printout, an invoice listing the vaccines, or a vaccine certificate — showing your pet's name, each vaccine, the date given and the expiration or next-due date, and the clinic's name.
- A rabies certificate signed by the vet. A rabies tag on the collar usually isn't accepted by itself.
- Many facilities accept these as a PDF, email or photo; some want the clinic to send them directly. Ask in advance.
What's usually not accepted: a handwritten list, an owner's spreadsheet, or "my vet can confirm" without paperwork. Vaccines you gave at home (for example from a farm supply store) often don't count, so check before relying on them.
Watch the timing
- Not expired on any day of the stay. If a vaccine expires halfway through a two-week trip, many places will ask you to update it first.
- Given far enough ahead. Some facilities want vaccines — Bordetella especially — given at least a few days to two weeks before check-in, so immunity has time to build. Book the vet visit early.
- Puppies and kittens may need to have finished their full series before they're allowed in group play.
- Some places want Bordetella every 6 months, even though it's often given yearly.
A checklist for drop-off day
- Proof of each required vaccine, sent ahead or ready to show
- Your vet's name and phone number
- A list of medications with the last dose given and instructions
- Food, if the facility allows your own, portioned per meal
- Your emergency contact and how you'd like them to handle a vet visit
Send proof in one tap
VetKeeper keeps each vaccine's date and next-due date from your scanned vet records. Share a pet's one-page summary PDF with Attach proof documents turned on, and the original vet pages that show each vaccine are added right after the summary — ready to email to the kennel or AirDrop at the front desk.