What vaccines do catteries require for cats?

Rabies and FVRCP are the most commonly required. Some facilities also ask for FeLV, especially where cats share air space. Requirements vary, so confirm with the specific cattery and ask your veterinarian which vaccines your cat needs and when.

Do catteries accept a photo of the vaccine certificate?

It depends on the facility. Some require the official certificate from your veterinarian; others accept a clear photo or PDF. Keep the actual certificate somewhere you can pull up quickly, and confirm the accepted format before drop-off.

What records do catteries and cat boarding facilities ask for?

Q: What records do catteries and cat boarding facilities ask for?

Most ask for rabies vaccination proof and FVRCP; some also want FeLV depending on their setup. Beyond vaccines, catteries typically ask for emergency contacts, your veterinarian's details, medication instructions, feeding notes, and any behavior or comfort details that help your cat settle.

Every cattery and cat boarding facility sets its own requirements — but most ask for a predictable set of things. Knowing what to have ready before drop-off means less scrambling, fewer delays, and a calmer start for a cat who already isn't thrilled about the carrier.

Why requirements vary by facility

Catteries, boarding facilities, and cat-friendly vets each set their own policies. Some require a full vaccination history; others only ask for rabies and FVRCP. Some want a printed certificate; others accept a photo on your phone.

Always confirm the specific requirements with the facility before drop-off. What's listed here reflects what's commonly asked — not a universal standard.

Rabies certificate and vaccine proof

Rabies vaccination proof is the most universally required record, and in many areas it's legally required for cats. Most facilities want the official certificate issued by the veterinarian — showing the vaccine, date administered, and expiration — not just a note that it was given.

Beyond rabies, FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia) is commonly required. Some facilities also ask for FeLV, particularly where cats share air space. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise which vaccines your cat needs and when. For the full picture, see the cat vaccine schedule.

Keep the actual certificates — not just the dates — stored somewhere you can pull them up quickly. A PDF in your email is better than nothing; a document attached to the vaccination record in an organizer is better still.

Emergency contact and vet contact information

Facilities need to reach someone fast if something goes wrong. Most ask for at least two emergency contacts with working phone numbers, plus your veterinarian's name, clinic, and phone number in case medical care is needed while you're unreachable.

Make sure the contacts you list are actually reachable during the hours your cat will be there. A contact who doesn't pick up is the same as no contact.

Medication and dietary instructions

If your cat takes any medication, facilities need clear written instructions: the medication name, the dose, the timing, and any special handling. Use the instructions as written by your veterinarian — don't paraphrase or approximate.

Note any prescription diet or food sensitivities explicitly. Cats can be particular eaters, and a boarding stay is a bad time to discover a food doesn't agree with them.

Litter, routine, and comfort notes

Cats are sensitive to change, and small details make a big difference to how they settle. Mention litter preferences (type of litter, covered vs. open box), whether your cat hides when stressed, favorite spots or a familiar blanket, and how they tend to behave around strangers or other cats.

A facility that knows your cat hides for the first day, or prefers a specific litter, can respond to what's normal for your cat instead of guessing.

How to keep documents easy to find before drop-off

The worst time to look for your cat's rabies certificate is at the cattery's front desk with a yowling carrier and five minutes to spare. Keep records where you can find them in under a minute, ideally on your phone.

A simple system: one profile per cat, with each vaccine attached as a document to its vaccination entry. When the cattery asks for FVRCP or rabies proof, you open the record and hand over the file — no searching, no screenshots, no forwarding email threads.

How to share records cleanly

Facilities increasingly accept digital records, but a thread of forwarded emails and blurry photos isn't the same as a clean, readable document. Willow lets you generate a read-only link to your cat's records — useful for a cattery that wants a copy on file, or for a sitter who needs access during your trip without you resending everything each time.

Before you go

If someone will be caring for your cat at home instead, here's what to include in pet sitter instructions so they have everything they need — not just the vaccine proof.

How Willow helps

Willow is a pet health organizer for owners. It keeps your cat's vaccination records, documents, medication details, and care notes in one place — organized by pet, with documents stored close to the records they support. When it's time for boarding, the records you need are already together, ready to share.