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A digital vaccine record for pets is accepted by many daycares, groomers and kennels, but the rule is theirs to set, and what most of them really want is proof that came from a veterinarian. A PDF or photo of your vet's certificate on your phone usually works. A list you typed up yourself usually doesn't.
So the question isn't really paper or phone. It's who issued it.
This guide covers what makes a vaccine record trustworthy, what Ontario's rabies rules say about the certificate, how to get your vet's copy, and how to keep it on your phone without losing control of who sees it.
Is a digital vaccine record for pets accepted?
Often, yes, but there's no single rule for private businesses. Each daycare, kennel, groomer or trainer decides what proof it'll take, and policies vary from one block to the next. Broadly, here's how it tends to shake out:
| What you show | Commonly accepted? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Your vet's certificate or record, as a PDF or clear photo | Usually | It comes from the clinic and shows the vet's details |
| A clinic-issued record that can be checked online, such as by QR code | Usually | Staff can confirm it is current without calling |
| A list or card you filled in yourself | Often not | Nothing shows a vet gave the vaccines |
Call ahead and ask: "Can I show my vet's vaccine record on my phone, or do you need it emailed or printed?" Many places want a copy on file before the first visit.
What makes a vaccine record trustworthy
A trustworthy record shows who gave which vaccine, to which pet, and when. Ontario's rabies regulation is a handy model. Under Regulation 567, a rabies certificate of immunization is signed by the veterinarian and has to include, among other things:
- The owner's name and address, and the pet's species, breed, colour, sex, age and name
- Any microchip or tattoo number
- The clinic address and the full name and contact information of the veterinarian
- The vaccine's name and serial number
- The date given, whether it was a first shot or a booster, and the date by which the pet must be reimmunized
- The number on the rabies tag issued with it
A digital copy that shows all of that, clearly legible, carries exactly the same information as the paper. A note that just says "rabies, 2025" doesn't. That's why businesses get wary of owner-made records, and honestly, you can see their point.
Rabies proof in Ontario: what the law says
Rabies is the one vaccine Ontario law requires. Regulation 567 under the Health Protection and Promotion Act says cats, dogs and ferrets three months or older must be immunized against rabies and reimmunized by the date on their certificate. The vet who gives the vaccine issues the certificate and a rabies tag, and you have to give a copy of the certificate to a medical officer of health or public health inspector if they ask.
That last part is why you should keep the certificate itself, not just a summary. Our guide to proof of rabies vaccination for daycare and boarding goes into the details.
How to get your vet's record onto your phone
Ask your clinic for it; they already hold the official record. The College of Veterinarians of Ontario's guidance says rabies certificates and the vaccine record are part of the medical record, and a request for a copy doesn't have to be in writing. A phone call, an email or asking at the desk all count.
Ask the front desk to email the vaccine history or certificate as a PDF. Save it somewhere you can open without signal, not just in your inbox, because the moment you need it will be in a lobby with one bar. Check the pet's name, vaccine names, dates and due dates. Then do it again after every vaccine visit, since each one changes the due dates.
The CVO says a clinic may charge a reasonable fee for copies, and that paying isn't a precondition for getting the copy in a timely way. There's more in how to get your pet's vet records.
Share the vaccines, not everything else
Share only what the business needs. A groomer needs your pet's vaccine dates, not their full medical history or your home address.
So before you send a digital record, look at what's on it. The best option shows vaccines only, can be switched off once the stay is over, and doesn't turn up in search engines.
How the PetGrid vaccine card works
In the free PetGrid app you can download a vaccine card as a PDF showing the newest dose of each vaccine, with an optional QR code a kennel or groomer can scan. The QR page shows vaccines only, no address or other records. You can turn it off any time, and it stops working after a year regardless.
Let's be clear about what it is, though. The free card says in bold that the records were entered by the owner and not verified by a clinic, so it isn't an official certificate. Keep your vet's certificate alongside it in your pet records. If your clinic is on PetGrid and offers it, you can download a vaccination record on the clinic's letterhead, and its QR code opens a check page showing whether each vaccine is current.
Preguntas frecuentes
Do kennels accept digital vaccine records?
Many do, as long as the record comes from your veterinarian, but each kennel sets its own rules. Call ahead and ask whether a PDF or photo of your vet's certificate on your phone is enough or whether they need a copy emailed first.
Is a photo of my pet's rabies certificate valid?
A clear photo shows the same information as the paper, and many businesses accept it. Keep the original too, because Ontario law requires owners to provide a copy to public health officials on request.
What should a pet vaccine record show?
It should show your pet's details, each vaccine's name, the date given, the next due date and the veterinarian or clinic that gave it. Ontario's rabies certificate also lists the vaccine serial number and the rabies tag number.
How do I get a digital copy of my pet's vaccine record?
Ask your clinic to email it as a PDF. In Ontario the request doesn't have to be in writing, and a clinic may charge a reasonable fee for copies.
Is the PetGrid vaccine card an official certificate?
No. The free card shows the vaccines you entered and says they weren't verified by a clinic. Your vet issues official certificates, and a PetGrid clinic that offers it can provide a record on its letterhead with a check page.
En resumen
A digital vaccine record for pets works when it carries what your vet's record carries: who gave which vaccine, when, and when the next one's due. Grab your clinic's copy after every visit, keep it on your phone, and check each business's policy before the first booking.
The PetGrid app is free for pet owners, keeps vaccine dates and documents in one place, and works with any clinic. The owner FAQ has more.
Guarde los historiales, las vacunas y las visitas de su mascota en un solo lugar seguro. La app PetGrid es gratuita para los dueños de mascotas, con o sin clínica.
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