Every daycare and boarding place has a vaccination policy, and they differ enough that it is worth checking before you book rather than turning up and being sent home. Here is what is standard in Pennsylvania, what we ask for at Hilltop, and what to bring.
The three that are essentially universal
Rabies. Required by law for dogs in Pennsylvania, not just by daycares. Your dog needs a current rabies vaccination whether or not they ever leave the house.
Distemper combination, usually written DHPP or DA2PP. One shot covering distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and parvovirus. Every group setting we know of requires it.
Bordetella, usually called kennel cough. The one people forget, because a dog who never mixes with other dogs does not need it. It comes as an injection, a nose spray or an oral dose, and how often it is needed depends on which form your vet uses. Some are annual, some every six months.
Those three are what we ask for, and they cover the large majority of places around Easton.
The ones that vary
Canine influenza. Some facilities require it and some do not. At least one place near Easton does. Ask specifically, because it is usually a two-dose series with a gap between the doses, so it is not something you can sort out the day before.
Negative fecal test. Some places ask, some do not. If you are shopping around, ask early, because it means a trip to the vet with a sample.
Spay or neuter. Policies vary a lot and often depend on the dog's age rather than being a flat rule.
We will tell you plainly what we need when you book. If another place has asked for something we have not, that is not a red flag about either of us. It is a different policy.
Timing, which is the part that catches people out
A vaccine is not protective the moment it goes in. Most places, including us, want shots done at least a few days before the first visit. A Bordetella given the same morning does not count.
If your dog is due for boosters anyway, get them well ahead of a holiday boarding booking. The week before Thanksgiving is the worst possible time to discover a vaccine has lapsed and the vet is booked solid.
What to bring
Paperwork from your vet showing the dates. A photo on your phone is fine. Most vets will email a vaccination record if you ask.
What we need to see is the vaccine name and the date it was given, so we know when it expires. A receipt that says "annual visit" does not tell anyone anything.
Bring it to the free tour and it is dealt with before the first real day, which is one less thing on a morning that is already going to be busy.
Why any of this matters
The requirements exist because dogs in groups share air, water and toys. Kennel cough in particular moves fast in a group and is miserable for everybody, including the dogs who are just trying to have a normal week.
No vaccination policy makes a group setting risk-free. What it does is make the common, preventable problems uncommon, which is the most anyone can honestly promise.
Questions
If you are not sure whether your dog's shots are current, ask your vet before you ask us. They have the records and we do not.
If you know they are current, call (484) 714-6624 or book a free tour through the contact page. Bring the paperwork and the dog.