You booked the trip, found a boarding facility you feel good about, and then received an email asking for your dog’s vaccination records. If you’re not sure what you’re supposed to send—or whether your dog is even up to date—you’re in good company. This is one of the most common questions we hear from first-time boarding clients.
The short version is that most reputable boarding facilities in Massachusetts require a similar set of core vaccinations, and gathering the paperwork is usually straightforward once you know what to ask your veterinarian for.
Here’s a plain-language guide to the vaccinations commonly required for boarding, why they matter, and how far in advance you should schedule them.
Why Boarding Facilities Require Vaccinations
A boarding kennel brings together dogs from many different households under one roof. Most are perfectly healthy, but all it takes is one contagious illness to expose many others.
Vaccination requirements exist to protect every dog in the facility—including yours. They are not simply paperwork or a formality. They are one of the most important tools responsible boarding facilities use to reduce the spread of infectious disease.
If a facility doesn’t ask for vaccination records, it may be accepting unnecessary health risks that many pet owners would prefer to avoid.
The Core Vaccinations Most Boarding Facilities Require
- Rabies
Rabies vaccination is required by Massachusetts law for dogs and cats.
Every licensed boarding facility in Massachusetts will require proof of a current rabies vaccination. Your veterinarian will provide a Rabies Certificate showing the vaccination date and expiration date, which is typically all the kennel needs for its records.
- Distemper Combination (DHPP or DAPP)
This combination vaccine protects against:
- Distemper
- Adenovirus (Hepatitis)
- Parvovirus
- Parainfluenza
Depending on your veterinarian, you may see it listed as DHPP, DAPP, DA2PP, or another similar abbreviation.
This is considered a core vaccine for all dogs—not just those that board—and protects against several serious, highly contagious diseases.
What about DHLPP?
Some veterinarians administer a vaccine listed as DHLPP or DAPPL, which includes protection against Leptospirosis in addition to the diseases listed above. Whether Leptospirosis is included depends on your veterinarian’s recommendations and your dog’s lifestyle.
What about puppies?
Puppies who have not yet completed their vaccine series may not be eligible for boarding, depending on their age and your veterinarian’s recommendations. If you’re planning your puppy’s first stay, contact the boarding facility well in advance so you can coordinate the appropriate vaccination schedule.
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
Bordetella is the vaccine most people associate with boarding—and for good reason.
Kennel cough spreads easily anywhere dogs gather, including:
- Boarding facilities
- Daycare
- Grooming salons
- Dog parks
- Training classes
Bordetella may be administered:
- Intranasally
- Orally
- By injection
Depending on the vaccine used and your dog’s medical history, your veterinarian may recommend it every six or twelve months.
Like the annual flu vaccine for people, Bordetella significantly reduces the likelihood and severity of illness but cannot eliminate the possibility entirely.
- Canine Influenza
Canine influenza has become increasingly common in boarding and daycare environments over the past several years.
While it isn’t universally required, some boarding facilities require or strongly recommend protection against the H3N2 and H3N8 strains because outbreaks can spread quickly anywhere dogs gather.
If you’re boarding somewhere for the first time, it’s worth asking whether canine influenza is required as part of their health policy.
Timing Matters More Than Most People Realize
This is where many pet owners get caught off guard.
Vaccines don’t provide immediate protection.
If your dog is receiving a vaccine for the first time—or needs a booster after becoming overdue—most veterinarians recommend allowing at least one to two weeks before boarding so the immune system has time to respond properly.
Some boarding facilities also have their own waiting periods after certain vaccinations.
The best approach is to check your dog’s vaccination status when you make your reservation—not the week before you leave.
If you’re planning holiday travel, that often means scheduling veterinary appointments well in advance rather than waiting until veterinary offices become fully booked.
Don’t Forget Your Municipal Dog License
Massachusetts requires every dog over six months of age to be licensed through the city or town where the owner lives. Obtaining or renewing that license generally requires proof of a current rabies vaccination.
Many boarding facilities also ask for proof of a current municipal dog license as part of the reservation process.
If you haven’t licensed your dog yet, most town or city clerk’s offices can help you complete the process, and many communities now allow online renewals.
Massachusetts also regulates commercial boarding kennels through Ollie’s Law, which established statewide standards for animal care, sanitation, recordkeeping, staffing, and facility operations. While the law doesn’t prescribe every vaccination requirement, it reinforces the importance of maintaining accurate health records and operating boarding facilities according to established standards designed to protect animal welfare.
What If Your Dog Can’t Be Vaccinated?
Occasionally a dog cannot receive certain vaccines because of age, previous vaccine reactions, immune-related disease, or another medical condition.
If that’s your situation, contact the boarding facility well before your travel dates and provide documentation from your veterinarian.
In some cases, facilities may accept vaccine titer testing in place of certain boosters. Others may not, particularly when it comes to rabies vaccination, where Massachusetts law provides very limited exceptions.
The earlier this conversation happens, the more options everyone has.
Getting Your Records to the Boarding Facility
The easiest option is usually to contact your veterinarian and ask them to email your dog’s vaccination records directly to the boarding facility.
Most veterinary offices handle these requests every day.
It’s also a good idea to keep a digital copy on your phone. You’ll likely need it again for grooming appointments, daycare, training classes, or travel.
Whenever possible, send your records as soon as you make your reservation rather than waiting until drop-off day. That gives everyone time to resolve anything that may be missing or expired.
Boarding Vaccination Checklist
Before your dog’s stay, make sure you have:
✔ Current Rabies Certificate
✔ Current DHPP, DAPP, or DHLPP vaccination
✔ Current Bordetella vaccination
✔ Canine Influenza vaccination (if required by your boarding facility)
✔ Current Municipal Dog License (if required)
✔ Medication instructions (if applicable)
✔ Emergency contact information
Boarding at Porter Road Pet Care
At Porter Road Pet Care, protecting the health of every guest starts long before check-in. That’s why we require current vaccination records for every dog staying with us.
For dogs boarding at Porter Road Pet Care, we require:
- ✔ Current DHLPP
- ✔ Current Rabies
- ✔ Current Bordetella
- ✔ Current Municipal Dog License
We recommend checking your dog’s vaccination status as soon as you reserve your stay. If any vaccinations or your municipal license will expire before your boarding dates, you’ll have plenty of time to schedule an appointment and submit updated records before check-in.
Our team is happy to coordinate directly with your veterinarian’s office if that’s the easiest way to obtain your records.
Our staff trains through PackPro, a comprehensive education platform designed specifically for professional pet care providers. Training covers canine behavior, animal health, disease prevention, emergency response, safety procedures, customer service, and daily facility operations. Maintaining high health and safety standards isn’t something we do once—it’s part of how we operate every day.
If you’re planning dog boarding in Western Massachusetts and have questions about our vaccination requirements, we’d be happy to help.
Give us a call at (413) 525-3532 to speak with a member of our team. If this will be your dog’s first stay, be sure to ask about our complimentary trial visit, which gives many dogs the opportunity to become familiar with the facility before a longer boarding reservation.
Taking a few minutes to gather your records before your trip helps ensure a smooth check-in—and lets you focus on what matters most: knowing your pet is staying somewhere that takes their health, safety, and well-being as seriously as you do.
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