First stay coming up? Then you’ve got four things to sort out: vaccine records, a feeding note, labeled meds, and a drop-off time that lands inside our morning window. Two of those can’t be fixed the night before. Vaccines especially. So we laid this out as a countdown instead of a packing list, starting about a month before your trip.
What does a first-time dog boarding checklist include?
A first-time dog boarding checklist covers 4 things: vaccines, food, medications and drop-off.
Dog Boarding Checklist
Vaccines take the longest because your dog’s shots have to be current and the proof has to reach us by drop-off day.
| When | What to do | Why |
| 4 weeks out | Reserve the stay and book a tour | Every stay needs a reservation |
| 4 weeks out | Compare vaccine expiration dates with your travel dates | Rabies and distemper/parvo must be current |
| 3 weeks out | Book any missing or due shots | Gives you room before drop-off |
| 1 week out | Send records and refill prescriptions | Proof is due at or before check-in |
| 3 days out | Portion food, write feeding and medication notes | Your dog’s diet stays the same |
| 3 days out | Give flea and tick protection if it’s due | We only accept flea-free dogs |
| Drop-off day | Arrive Monday through Saturday, 8:30 AM to noon | Other times are by appointment |
Book the tour, even if it feels like overkill. We encourage one before every first stay. Your dog gets a sniff of the indoor suites and covered outdoor runs, and you get to see where they’ll sleep. Set it up through our Dog Boarding page, or just call 732-364-4443.
Which vaccines does Highland Kennel require for boarding?
We require current rabies and distemper/parvo vaccines for every dog that boards with us. Getting us proof of those shots, at or before your scheduled check-in, is the owner’s job, and we can turn away a dog without it.
Rabies is a legal matter in New Jersey, too. Under state Department of Health rules, any dog 7 months or older needs a yearly license, and its rabies immunity has to cover at least 10 of those 12 months. Check the expiration date. Then check it again against the day you get home.
Ask your vet about Bordetella while you’re there. It’s the kennel cough shot. The American Animal Hospital Association calls it a lifestyle vaccine, meant for dogs that spend time around other dogs, and boarding definitely counts. Its 2022 guidelines also say protection may last only about 6 months, so some vets give a booster before a kennel stay even when the yearly date is still months away.
Why does any of this matter? According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs with kennel cough are usually contagious before they ever start coughing. It travels through shared bowls. Bedding. Toys.
Getting us the records is easy. Bring a clear copy, email it, or have your vet fax it to (732) 534-4994. We can also call your vet ourselves during business hours. The full rundown is in Dog Vaccination Requirements: What NJ Kennels Need Before Boarding.
How should you write feeding instructions for a boarding kennel?
Put everything on one short card: the food, how much per meal, which treats are OK and anything your dog can’t have. We feed twice a day, so split your dog’s daily amount into a morning portion and an evening portion.
We do keep food on hand. Still, we’d rather you bring what your dog already eats, because a sudden switch can upset a dog’s stomach (not what anyone wants on night one). One bag per meal. Your dog’s name on every bag. Two extra days’ worth, in case your flight gets pushed back.
Something like this works:
Dog: Bailey, Lab mix, 62 lb.
Food: Her own dry kibble (bags labeled BAILEY).
Amount: 1½ cups per meal, morning and evening.
Treats: Biscuits are fine. No rawhide.
Allergy: Chicken.
Note: Eats slowly her first day somewhere new. Call me if she skips 2 meals.
See that last line? It tells our staff what’s normal for your dog and when to pick up the phone. Don’t leave it off. If your dog eats a prescription diet, mention it when you book; our Special Needs & Diet page explains how we handle those.
How do you pack medications for a kennel stay?
Pack every medication in its original pharmacy bottle, with your dog’s name and dose on the label and written instructions alongside. That’s really the whole rule. Our staff gives meds exactly as directed for a small fee, so list each one when you make the reservation.
The FDA gives the same advice for pets at home: original containers, labels you can actually read. So leave the weekly pill organizer in the cabinet. Loose pills all look alike.
Do the math before you pack. Doses per day times nights away, plus a few spares. Vitamins and supplements? Those count too.
Then add your vet’s name and number, and who can make decisions if we can’t reach you. Here’s what happens if your dog gets sick while you’re away: we call you first, and you can authorize a family member to take your dog to your own vet. If nobody answers, one of our staff takes your dog to a vet we choose, and the bill comes to you. There’s more on this in How Does a Dog Boarding Facility Deal with Medication Administration While Owner is Away?
What should you do on drop-off morning?
Come in between 8:30 AM and noon, Monday through Saturday, with records, food, meds and one comfort item. Keep the goodbye short. And let us know ahead of time if someone else will be picking your dog up.
A walk before the car ride helps. So does something that smells like home, like an old T-shirt you’ve worn. Nothing irreplaceable, though, since we can’t be responsible for personal items. No bed needed either; every guest sleeps on a raised Kuranda bed.
Pickup is simple. The bill gets paid in full before your dog heads home, and we won’t release your dog to anyone you haven’t authorized. While you’re gone, call us during business hours whenever you want a check-in. One of our staff lives on site and looks in on the dogs overnight.
Got a nervous dog? Read How To Prepare My Nervous Dog For A Week At A Boarding Facility. first. For packing, there’s Dog Boarding Services in Howell, NJ: What to Bring and What to Leave Home. And once you’re home, What to Expect After Dog Boarding covers that sleepy first day back.
Frequently asked questions
Which shots does my dog need before boarding?
Current rabies and distemper/parvo, with proof to us by check-in. Ask your vet about Bordetella too, since it’s the kennel cough vaccine.
Can I drop off or pick up on a Sunday?
Our regular hours are Monday through Saturday, 8:30 AM to noon. Sunday and afternoon pickups are available by appointment.
Can my two dogs share a kennel?
If they live together and get along, yes. We’ll separate them if it isn’t working out, so just mention it when you book.
What if my dog doesn’t eat on the first day?
Some dogs eat less in a new place. That’s why your feeding card should say when to call you, and we’ll reach out right away if we notice signs of illness.
Thinking about a first stay? Contact Us or call 732-364-4443, and we’ll set up a tour.
