Should I tour the facility first?

Yes, always. Visit during business hours; observe cleanliness, staffing levels, dog-handler-to-pet ratios, kennel sizes, exercise areas. Talk to staff; ask about emergency protocols. Compare to other facilities. The 30 minutes saved by skipping the tour can cost thousands in vet bills if you board at a poor facility.

What if my pet gets sick during boarding?

Facility seeks veterinary care up to authorised dollar threshold (typical $500-2,000) without owner consultation; beyond that, contacts owner. Owner reimburses all veterinary expenses regardless of cause - this is industry standard. Pre-existing conditions are owner's expense; documented facility negligence (failure to follow care instructions, exposure to infectious disease) shifts liability to facility.

What if I can't pick up my pet on time?

Most facilities have late-pickup fees ($25-100/day flat). Many require advance notice for pick-up date changes. Abandoned pets (typically 30+ days unpaid extended care) may be surrendered to local rescue/shelter; some states have specific abandoned-pet procedures. Always communicate with facility about scheduling changes.

Is the facility insured?

Reputable facilities carry $1M+ general liability + animal-care-specific insurance. Verify by requesting certificate. Bonding (often $10K-100K) protects against employee theft. Facilities operating without insurance have the same liability but no recovery source for owners - effectively, no liability that's collectable.

What about boarding for special-needs pets?

Diabetic pets needing insulin, geriatric pets, pets with medications - these require facilities with appropriate experience and pricing. Specialty boarding facilities ($60-150/night vs $40-80 standard) employ veterinary-trained staff. Always disclose all medical needs in writing; failure to disclose can void facility liability for related issues.

Pet Boarding Agreement

Agreement for boarding pets at a commercial kennel or facility - vaccinations, care standards, liability.

Customise

Pet owner — name

Owner address

Boarding facility — name

Facility address

Facility licensing

Pets boarded (one per line)

Boarding dates

Total estimated cost (USD)

Vaccination requirements

Care and facilities

Feeding and medication

Liability provisions

Pickup conditions

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PET BOARDING AGREEMENT

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

PET OWNER

Name: Jordan Alex Taylor
Address: 482 Elm Street, Apt 3B, Portland, OR 97214

BOARDING FACILITY

Name: Pacific Pet Resort
Address: 880 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
License: Oregon kennel license #KEN-OR-2025-118; USDA APHIS exempt (small facility)

PETS BOARDED

Biscuit - Golden Retriever, 4 years old, 28 kg, spayed female. Friendly with other dogs.
No other pets being boarded.

DATES

Drop-off: 2026-08-01 at 4:00 PM (after work)
Pick-up: 2026-08-15 at 9:00 AM

Total estimated cost: $700.00

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

Required current vaccinations (proof in writing required at drop-off):
- Rabies (current; valid through 2027 at minimum).
- DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus) - current within manufacturer guidelines.
- Bordetella (kennel cough) - current within 6 months.
- Leptospirosis (recommended, sometimes required for larger facilities).
- Annual physical exam within last 12 months.
Vaccination records may be obtained from owner's veterinarian.

CARE AND FACILITIES

Indoor climate-controlled kennel runs (8x4 feet for dogs Bx weight).
Multiple daily exercise periods (4-6 outings/day).
Fresh water at all times.
Feeding per owner's instructions and food provided.
Medication administration per schedule (additional fee).
Group play time available (pets evaluated for compatibility).
Daily updates with photos via facility app.
24/7 veterinary contact and onsite emergency response capability.
Facility cleaning protocol per industry standards.

FEEDING AND MEDICATIONS

Feeding:
- Owner brings food (3 days extra recommended).
- 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM feedings.
- Specific portions: 1.5 cups dry kibble + 1 tbsp wet food per meal.

Medications:
- Heartworm chewable: 1 tablet daily with breakfast.
- No other current medications.
- Emergency contact for health concerns: Dr. Aiko Yamada, Riverside Veterinary, +1 503 555 0420.

LIABILITY

Facility maintains general liability and animal-care insurance.
Owner accepts that:
- Naturally-occurring illness or pet-related accidents are not facility's fault.
- Pre-existing conditions, undisclosed temperament issues, or escape attempts are owner's responsibility.
- Other guest pets may exhibit behaviour outside facility control.
Facility responsible for:
- Documented negligence or gross misconduct.
- Failure to follow disclosed care instructions.
Veterinary emergency authority: facility may seek emergency care up to $500 without owner consultation; beyond that, facility makes reasonable effort to contact owner. Owner reimburses all veterinary expenses incurred in good faith.

PICKUP CONDITIONS

Pickup: 2026-08-15 at 9:00 AM (within facility business hours).
Late pickup beyond agreed end date: $50/day flat fee.
Abandoned pets: facility reserves right to surrender to local rescue or shelter after 30 days unpaid extended care.
Pickup requires:
- Photo ID matching the owner name.
- Settlement of all charges.
- Receipt of all of pet's belongings (toys, blankets, food bowls).

EXECUTION

_______________________________ Date: ____________________
Jordan Alex Taylor (Owner)

_______________________________ Date: ____________________
Pacific Pet Resort (Facility)

About this template

Pet boarding agreements are contracts between owners and commercial boarding facilities (kennels, pet hotels, doggie daycares with overnight stays). Distinct from in-home pet sitting (which uses pet-care-agreement or pet-sitter-agreement templates). Boarding facilities face state and sometimes federal licensing: state kennel licensing, USDA APHIS oversight for some commercial operations, local-jurisdiction permits. The most-critical owner protections: (1) Vaccination verification - prevents disease spread among guest pets; standard rabies + DHPP + Bordetella required, often Leptospirosis; (2) Insurance verification - facility carries general liability + animal-care insurance ($1M+ typical for established facilities); (3) Care-standard documentation - exercise frequency, feeding schedule, medication protocols; (4) Liability allocation - clearly distinguish naturally-occurring events from facility-negligence events; (5) Veterinary-emergency authority - dollar threshold beyond which facility must contact owner. Common owner mistakes: accepting facility liability waivers that disclaim ALL liability (often unenforceable); not verifying insurance certificate; not asking about facility tour and references; relying on online reviews without verification. State law sometimes specifies maximum facility liability limits or required disclosures. For exotic pets (birds, reptiles, fish), specialised facilities are limited; verify their experience with the specific species. Boarding-related disputes typically resolve through small-claims court; persistent issues warrant state-licensing-board complaint and BBB filings.

When to use it

Boarding pets at commercial kennel or pet hotel.
Multi-day pet care while owner travels.
Group-play daycare with overnight stays.
After veterinarian-recommended boarding (post-surgery monitoring).

What to include

Owner and facility identification with licensing.
Pets boarded with details.
Specific dates.
Vaccination requirements.
Care and facility standards.
Feeding and medication instructions.
Liability provisions with veterinary-emergency authority.
Pickup conditions.

Frequently asked

Rabies (current and required by law in most states); DHPP/DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus); Bordetella (kennel cough); often Leptospirosis. Cats: FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia); Rabies. Some facilities require canine influenza vaccine (newer; not all facilities). Annual exam required by most facilities.

⚠ Legal disclaimer. Pet boarding facilities are subject to state kennel licensing and sometimes federal USDA APHIS oversight. Insurance and licensing verification is owner's responsibility. Vaccination requirements vary by facility; standard requirements include rabies + DHPP + Bordetella for dogs, FVRCP + rabies for cats. For pets with special medical needs, specialty boarding facilities are appropriate. Liability waivers may be limited by state consumer-protection laws.