Proof of rabies vaccination for a daycare, kennel or groomer is usually the signed rabies certificate from your vet, showing your pet, the vaccine, the date given and the date it is due again. A rabies tag alone is rarely enough, because it does not show when the vaccine runs out.
Facilities ask because they care for many animals at once, and in Ontario rabies vaccination is the law for cats, dogs and ferrets 3 months and older. Here is what counts, where to get it, and how to stop digging through email at drop-off.
What counts as proof of rabies vaccination?
Most facilities want the certificate your vet signed when the vaccine was given. In Ontario, Regulation 567 says the vet who vaccinates must give you a signed certificate of immunization and a rabies tag, and lists what the certificate must contain.
- Your name and address
- Your pet's species, breed, colour, sex, age and name, plus any markings
- Any microchip or tattoo number, and the approximate size
- The clinic's address, and the vet's full name and contact information
- The vaccine's name and serial number, and its revaccination interval
- The date given, whether it was a first vaccine or a booster, and the date by which to revaccinate
- The number on the rabies tag
The certificate is the proof. The tag helps identify a vaccinated pet, but it does not show the dates a daycare needs.
Why do daycares and kennels ask for it?
Two reasons. First, the law: in Ontario, every owner or person caring for a cat, dog or ferret 3 months or older must keep it vaccinated against rabies, and revaccinated by the date on its certificate. A facility caring for your pet is caring for it on your behalf. Second, safety: many animals in one place means more bites and scratches, and rabies is a serious risk to people and animals.
Requirements beyond rabies are set by each facility, not by law. Many dog daycares also ask for core vaccines like distemper and parvovirus, and often Bordetella (kennel cough). Ask before your first booking, so there is time to see your vet. Our dog and cat vaccine schedule explains what each one is.
Where do you get a copy of the rabies certificate?
- Check your files. It may be in an email from the clinic, a client portal, or the paperwork from the visit.
- Ask your clinic. Request a copy of the current rabies certificate by phone or email. In Ontario, clinics must give you copies of your pet's record on request; see how to get your pet's vet records.
- Check it is current. Look at the revaccination date. If it has passed, book a visit before the stay.
- Keep it where you can open it. A photo in your camera roll works; one place for every pet works better.
What if your pet cannot be vaccinated, or is too young?
In Ontario, a vet can issue a statement of exemption for an animal with a medical condition that makes the vaccine unsafe, and the animal must then be kept away from possible exposure to rabies. A facility may still decline to board an unvaccinated pet; that is its choice.
Puppies and kittens under 3 months are not yet required to have the rabies vaccine in Ontario, but daycares often have a minimum age. Ask the facility and your vet.
Outside Ontario, rules differ by province, state and city. Your vet or local public health unit can tell you what applies where you live.
How to share proof of rabies vaccination in seconds
With the free PetGrid app, you keep each pet's vaccines, from any vet, and can attach the certificate as a PDF or a photo. Then you have three ways to share:
| Option | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Vaccine card | A PDF with a QR code a kennel, groomer or vet can scan to check the vaccines, until it ends or you turn it off | Daycare and boarding sign-up |
| Share link | A link with no login; you choose what it shows and when it ends, and you see each time it is opened | A sitter or a kennel during a stay |
| Code for any vet | Six digits and a QR code that work for 24 hours, and you see who opened it | An emergency hospital |
Anything you add yourself is labelled as entered by the owner, not verified by a clinic, so a facility may still ask for the signed certificate. Attaching it in the app keeps both together. The features page and the privacy page explain who sees what.
Questions people ask
Is a rabies tag proof of vaccination?
Usually not on its own. The tag helps identify a vaccinated pet, but most daycares and kennels ask for the signed certificate, because it shows the date given and the date the vaccine is due again.
Do dog daycares require a rabies vaccine?
Almost all do, and in Ontario the law requires rabies vaccination for dogs, cats and ferrets 3 months and older. Many also ask for distemper, parvovirus and Bordetella vaccines. Each facility sets its own list, so ask before booking.
How do I get a copy of my pet's rabies certificate?
Ask your vet clinic by phone or email. In Ontario, clinics must give you a copy of your pet's record when you ask. Keep a copy on your phone so you have it at drop-off.
My pet's rabies vaccine expired. Can they still board?
Most facilities will not accept a pet whose rabies vaccine is past its revaccination date. Book a vet visit before the stay, and ask the facility how far ahead it needs the new certificate.
Can I show vaccine records on my phone instead of paper?
Many facilities accept a PDF or a scannable QR code. In the free PetGrid app you can download a vaccine card with a QR code and attach the signed certificate. Ask the facility what it accepts.
The short version
Proof of rabies vaccination means the signed certificate with the dates on it. Check it is current before every stay, ask your clinic for a copy if you cannot find it, and keep it on your phone.
The PetGrid app is free for pet owners and turns that certificate into a card a kennel can scan.
Keep your pet's records, vaccines and visits in one safe place. The PetGrid app is free for pet owners, with or without a clinic.
Get the free PetGrid appSources
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