What records do dog daycares and boarding facilities usually ask for?

Why requirements vary by facility

Dog daycares, boarding kennels, groomers, training facilities, and dog parks each set their own policies. Some require a full vaccination history; others only ask for rabies and Bordetella. 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. Most facilities want to see the official certificate issued by the veterinarian, not just a note that the vaccine was given. The certificate typically shows the vaccine brand, lot number, date administered, and expiration date.

Beyond rabies, Bordetella (kennel cough) is required by most daycares and boarding facilities. DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) is also commonly requested. Some facilities require Leptospirosis or Canine Influenza depending on their local risk environment. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise on which vaccines your dog needs and when.

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. They'll also want your veterinarian's name, clinic name, 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 dog will be there. A contact who doesn't pick up is the same as no contact.

Medication instructions

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

Many facilities also ask whether your dog has any known allergies or sensitivities, so have that information ready as well.

Feeding schedule and routine details

For overnight boarding, feeding instructions are usually required. Include the food your dog eats, how much, and when. If your dog has a sensitive stomach or reacts badly to certain foods or treats, say so explicitly — facilities often offer group treats that could cause a problem.

For daycare (not overnight), feeding details are less commonly required but still useful to have on file in case of a long day or an extended stay.

Behavior, routine, and care preferences

Most facilities ask some version of: how does your dog do with other dogs? With strangers? Any known triggers or anxious behaviors? Is there anything the staff should know?

Answering these honestly protects your dog. A dog who gets overwhelmed in group play shouldn't be put in a large play group. A dog who guards food should be fed separately. The more clearly you communicate, the better the staff can respond.

Some facilities also ask about sleep preferences, crate comfort, and whether your dog has a favorite toy or blanket they'd like to bring.

How to keep documents easy to find before drop-off

The worst time to look for your dog's rabies certificate is at the front desk of a daycare with a car full of stuff and five minutes before you need to leave. Keep records stored where you can find them in under a minute, ideally on your phone.

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

How to share records without sending a messy thread of screenshots

Facilities increasingly accept digital records, but a thread of forwarded emails and blurry phone photos isn't the same as a clean, readable document. If you're sharing digitally, a single PDF or a shareable link to organized records is much cleaner than a string of attachments.

Willow lets you generate a read-only link to your pet's records — useful for facilities that want to keep a copy on file, or for sitters who need access during your trip without you having to resend everything each time.

Before you go

If you're preparing for an overnight stay, here's what to include in pet sitter instructions so the person caring for your pet has everything they need — not just the vaccine proof.

How Willow helps

Willow is a pet health organizer for owners. It keeps 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 daycare or boarding, the records you need are already in one place, ready to share.