Boarding day
Dog boarding drop-off checklist
What to bring, what to tell them, and the paperwork that matters if something goes wrong while you are away.
Drop-off is the worst possible moment to be remembering things.
You are already a little guilty, probably a little late, and your dog has worked out what is happening. Meanwhile the person at the counter is asking questions you half know the answer to. Everything below is easier to sort out the night before.
What to bring
1. Vaccination records
Most facilities ask for rabies, DHPP and Bordetella, and some want kennel cough done a set number of days before arrival. Check their specific requirement when you book, not on the morning.
Ask your vet to email the records as a PDF so you are not hunting for paper at the counter.
2. Food in labelled daily portions
Bag each meal separately with your dog's name and the day. It removes guesswork for staff feeding a dozen dogs, and it is the simplest way to avoid an upset stomach from an over-generous scoop.
Pack two extra meals. Pickups get delayed and a sudden food change is how a good stay ends badly.
3. Medication in its original packaging
The label on the bottle is the proof of what the dose is. Loose pills in a bag get refused by careful facilities, and should be.
Write the dose and timing separately as well, and ask them to log each one as given.
4. A written feeding and medication schedule
Not spoken at the counter while somebody else is checking in behind you. Written, on one page, so it can be pinned up and followed by whoever is on shift.
5. Vet authorisation with a spending limit
In writing, with your signature. If something happens, this is what lets the facility act without waiting to reach you. Name your vet, the emergency clinic you would prefer, and the amount you authorise.
6. Two emergency contacts
You, plus someone local who can collect your dog or make a decision. A single contact who is on the same flight as you is not two contacts.
What to tell them, even if they do not ask
Good facilities ask most of this. Tell them anyway, and tell them the unflattering parts. Staff who know your dog resource-guards can manage it. Staff who find out at feeding time cannot.
- How your dog behaves around other dogs, honestly — including the bits you would rather not mention
- Resource guarding around food, toys or beds
- Escape habits: climbing, digging, bolting through open doors
- What they do when anxious, and what settles them
- Any recent change at home: a move, a new baby, a death in the family
- How they travel, if the facility is collecting or dropping off
The one thing people regret skipping
A written spending limit. Clinics and kennels need to know who is authorising treatment before they begin. Without it, somebody is trying to reach you while your phone is in airplane mode.
Hand them one page instead
A Care Card puts feeding, medication, vet details and emergency contacts on a single page you can print for the folder or share as a link. It stays current, so the version they have is the right one.
Common questions
What vaccinations do boarding kennels usually require?
Most ask for rabies, DHPP and Bordetella, often with Bordetella given at least a week before arrival. Some also ask for canine influenza. Requirements vary by facility and by state, so confirm with yours when you book.
Should I bring my dog's bed and toys?
Usually yes, and something that smells of home helps a nervous dog settle. Check first, since some facilities limit bedding for hygiene or laundry reasons, and expect anything you send to come back worn.
Is it better to board or to hire a sitter?
It depends on your dog rather than on which is better. Dogs who are social and adaptable often do well boarding. Dogs who are anxious, elderly, or on a complex medication schedule usually do better at home with a sitter.
How far ahead should I book?
For holidays and school breaks, as early as you can. Good independent facilities fill months ahead, and the ones with space in December are usually the ones nobody else wanted.
Leaving your dog with a person rather than a facility? What to tell your dog sitter →
Pet Dossier organises information you provide. It does not give veterinary advice and does not replace your veterinarian. Vaccination requirements vary by facility and by state, so confirm yours directly.