What Vaccination Records Should Boarding Facilities and Groomers Ask Owners to Provide?
Boarding and grooming businesses need proof of protection before a pet arrives. Here is what to ask for and how to keep it on file.
Ask for documented proof showing each vaccine and the exact date it was given, not a verbal claim, since the date confirms the record is current for the stay. Decide which vaccines your service and area require, collect proof at booking rather than drop-off, and store it with the next due date visible.
Ask for proof, not a verbal yes
A record on paper or from the vet is very different from an owner saying the dog is up to date. Ask for documentation that shows the vaccine and the date it was given. Related: Which Vaccine Reminders Actually Get Pet Owners to Book a Follow Up Visit?
That date lets you confirm the record is current for the stay, not just current at some point in the past.
Keep reading: How Do Vet Clinics Keep Pet Vaccination Records From Falling Out of Date?, What Should a Groomer Do When a Dog's Rabies Vaccine Has Lapsed?, Why Do So Many Pet Owners Miss Their Annual Vaccination Due Dates?. See how VaxRemindr helps you pet vaccination due-date reminders for owners.
Know which vaccines your service requires
Requirements vary by service and location. Decide which vaccines you require for boarding or grooming and state them clearly before booking. Related: How Much Lead Time Does a Kennel Need Between a Bordetella Vaccine and Drop Off?
Common expectations include rabies and other core vaccines, but confirm what applies in your area rather than assuming. Related: When Should Puppies and Kittens Get Their First Round of Core Vaccines?
Collect records before arrival
Gathering proof at booking, not at drop-off, avoids a stressful standoff with a pet already in the lobby.
It also gives the owner time to get an updated record if theirs has lapsed.
Store it with an expiration in view
Keep the record on file with the date and the next due date visible, so a repeat client's status is obvious next time. Related: How Do Vet Clinics Keep Pet Vaccination Records From Falling Out of Date?
That turns a one-time check into an ongoing record you can trust.
- Require documented proof with the date given, not a verbal claim
- Define which vaccines your service requires for your area
- Collect records at booking rather than at drop-off
- Store proof with the next due date visible for repeat clients
Julien Jimenez
Julien Jimenez is an independent software builder based in Paris. He designs, ships, and operates focused SaaS products for small businesses and independent professionals. Read the full author page.
Frequently asked questions
Why collect vaccination proof at booking instead of at drop-off?
Gathering it at booking avoids a stressful standoff with a pet already in the lobby, and it gives the owner time to get an updated record if theirs has lapsed.
Which vaccines should a boarding or grooming business require?
That varies by service and location. Common expectations include rabies and other core vaccines, but confirm what applies in your area rather than assuming another region's list fits.
Never let a pet vaccine lapse again
Pet vaccination due-date reminders for owners. VaxRemindr is built to help you put this into practice.
Start tracking due datesMore from the VaxRemindr blog
How Do Vet Clinics Keep Pet Vaccination Records From Falling Out of Date?
What Should a Groomer Do When a Dog's Rabies Vaccine Has Lapsed?
Why Do So Many Pet Owners Miss Their Annual Vaccination Due Dates?
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