If you’re a pet owner who’s going out of town for a holiday, work, or an urgent matter, it’s essential to find a secure spot for your pet. Just as you pack a bag before staying in a hotel, you must get your pet ready for their time at a kennel, which includes a list of vital health steps. Top of this list is making sure they have the right vaccinations for their stay. These vaccinations are not just to keep your pet healthy; they also protect all the pets at the boarding facility.

Pets can quickly catch and spread illnesses when they’re close together, like in a kennel. Knowing the kennel’s vaccine rules helps your pet have a safe visit and keeps all the furry guests healthy.

Required Vaccines for Boarding Your Pet

Most boarding facilities have their own set of guidelines when it comes to which vaccines your dog or cat needs to have before their stay. However, there are a few vaccinations that are almost universally required. This isn’t just a formality – it’s about protecting your pet and others from serious, highly contagious diseases. Here are some vaccinations commonly required by boarding facilities:

Dogs

• Rabies – This deadly virus affects the central nervous system and is a risk to all mammals, including humans. Most local laws require rabies vaccinations.

• Distemper – Included in a combo shot (DHPP), this vaccine protects against the highly contagious and potentially fatal canine distemper virus.

• Hepatitis – Also part of the DHPP vaccine, it prevents liver disease caused by canine adenovirus.

• Parvovirus – Another component of the DHPP vaccine, Parvo is a highly contagious viral illness affecting dogs, especially puppies.

• Parainfluenza – The last part of the DHPP vaccine helps protect against a highly contagious respiratory virus.

• Bordetella Bronchiseptica – Often known as “kennel cough,” this vaccine is usually required due to how quickly the illness can spread in a boarding environment.

• Canine Influenza – Some facilities may also require the vaccine for canine flu, which can spread rapidly among dogs.

Cats

• Rabies – As with dogs, rabies vaccination is commonly required to prevent fatal diseases.

• Feline Distemper (FVRCP) – This is a core vaccine that covers feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.

• Feline Leukemia (FeLV) – For cats that spend time outdoors or are exposed to other cats that could be carriers of feline leukemia, this vaccine may be recommended or required.

Every facility may have its own policies, and some may require additional vaccinations or health checks. It’s essential to consult with your boarding facility and veterinarian to make sure you’ve got all bases covered.

Why Vaccinations Matter

When you’re looking into boarding services for dogs and cats, keep in mind that these businesses aren’t just being overly cautious; they’re working on the front lines to protect the wider pet population. Highly populated environments, like boarding facilities, are breeding grounds for disease if proper preventative measures are not taken.

Remember, if one pet falls ill, the disease can spread like wildfire, endangering the health of not only the other pets but potentially the staff and even pet owners upon their pets’ return. Vaccines are one of our most potent defenses against outbreaks, creating a safer environment for everyone involved.

Immunity in a Boarding Environment

When a sufficient number of pets are vaccinated, it contributes to ‘herd immunity’, a form of indirect protection from infectious diseases that occurs when a high percentage of the population has become immune to an infection, thereby providing a measure of protection for individuals who are not immune.

In the clinical realm, often identified through veterinary diagnostics in Charlotte, NC, veterinarians use antibody titers to assess whether an animal has sufficient immune protection against certain diseases. This can be a helpful tool in determining if your pet needs booster shots or if they still have immunity from previous vaccinations.

Preparing Your Pet for Boarding

Ensuring that your pet is ready for a stay at a boarding facility involves more than updating their vaccinations. Here’s a quick checklist to help you cover everything:

1. Consult with your vet to make sure all vaccinations are up-to-date and schedule any that your pet may need, including kitten and puppy shots if they are younger animals.

2. Ask your vet for copies of vaccination records; boarding facilities will likely require these as proof of immunization.

3. Consider additional health precautions that may be suggested by your vet, like flea and tick preventatives or heartworm medication.

4. If your pet has a medical condition or is taking medication, inform the boarding facility and provide them with detailed instructions.

5. Label all pet belongings and medications with your pet’s name and your last name to avoid any mix-ups at the facility.

6. Visit the boarding facility beforehand, if possible, to familiarize your pet with the new environment and make sure it’s a good fit.

It’s also worth booking a trial stay for a night or two before an extended stay, especially if your pet is boarding for the first time or seems particularly anxious. This can help reduce stress for your pet and allow the boarding staff to get to know your pet’s needs better.

Building a Relationship with Your Boarding Facility

Finding a reputable boarding facility is vital. The staff members should be caring and knowledgeable and have protocols in place for handling medical emergencies. A good facility will keep detailed records of your pet’s health and will commit to keeping your pet safe and comfortable during their stay.

Take the time to ask questions and discuss any concerns you may have with the facility. It helps to build a trusting relationship between you, your pet, and the boarding service. After all, this facility will be your pet’s home away from home temporarily, and peace of mind is worth its weight in gold when you’re far away.

Final Thoughts

Before leaving on a trip, we pass our pets’ leashes or carriers to the boarding staff, hoping they will be well cared for. Required vaccinations for pet boarding are not just to meet legal and facility rules; they also help us relax, knowing our pets and the others they meet are safe from illness. It’s key to have our pets prepared with proper knowledge, paperwork, and health measures for a joyful stay. Therefore, ensure your pet’s shots are up to date before traveling. This act of responsibility shows love and care for our pet pals.