50-State Commercial Boarding Kennel Licensing & Facility Codes
State Department of Agriculture animal welfare licenses, commercial dog daycare physical space standards, minimum indoor suite square footage, and mandatory rabies/bordetella immunization statutes.
| State | Licensing Regulatory Agency | Mandatory License Category | Minimum Enclosure Standards | Required Core Immunizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | AL Dept of Agriculture & Industries | Commercial Boarding Kennel | Primary enclosure allow full turn/stand | Rabies Certificate Mandatory |
| Alaska | Alaska State Veterinarian / DEC | Commercial Animal Facility | Insulated shelter, freeze-proof water | Rabies (State Mandate) |
| Arizona | Arizona Dept of Agriculture (AZDA) | Commercial Boarding Kennel | Impervious flooring, washdown drains | Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission | Commercial Boarding Establishment | Adequate shelter, ventilation | Rabies Mandatory |
| California | CDFA Animal Health / City Health | Commercial Pet Boarding Facility | Strict temperature control (50°Fâ85°F) | Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella (Title 17) |
| Colorado | PACFA (Pet Animal Care Facilities Act) | PACFA Boarding / Daycare License | Minimum 4x6 ft suite, 8â10 ACH fresh air | Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, Bordetella |
| Connecticut | CT Dept of Agriculture Bureau of Reg | Commercial Kennel License (§ 22-342) | Sanitary concrete runs, daily disinfection | Rabies (State Law § 22-339b) |
| Delaware | Delaware Dept of Agriculture | Commercial Boarding Kennel Permit | Impermeable surfaces, isolation room | Rabies Certificate |
| Florida | FDACS / County Animal Services | Commercial Boarding Kennel License | Air-conditioned interior, K9 play yards | Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella (Ch. 828) |
| Georgia | Georgia Dept of Agriculture (GDA) | GDA Boarding Facility License | Minimum 24 sqft run for large breeds | Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, Bordetella |
| Hawaii | Hawaii Dept of Agriculture (HDOA) | Commercial Kennel Certificate | Quarantine biosecurity compliance | Rabies, Titer Verification |
| Idaho | Idaho State Dept of Agriculture | Commercial Kennel License | Sanitary drainage, protective fencing | Rabies Mandatory |
| Illinois | IL Dept of Agriculture (Bureau of Welfare) | Pet Shop Operator / Kennel License | Animal Welfare Act 225 ILCS 605 | Rabies, Distemper, Parvo |
| Indiana | Indiana State Board of Animal Health | Commercial Boarding Facility | Solid partitions, daily sanitization | Rabies Certificate |
| Iowa | Iowa Dept of Agriculture (IDALS) | Commercial Kennel License (Ch. 162) | Impervious non-porous materials | Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus |
| Kansas | Kansas Dept of Agriculture (KDA) | Boarding/Training Facility License | Adequate space for species/breed size | Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella |
| Kentucky | KY Dept of Agriculture / County | Commercial Kennel Permit | Sanitary drainage, clean fresh water | Rabies Mandatory (KRS 258.015) |
| Louisiana | LDAF Animal Health Division | Commercial Boarding Establishment | Climate-controlled indoor facilities | Rabies Certificate |
| Maine | Maine Dept of Agriculture (ACF) | Boarding Kennel License (7 MRSA § 3931) | Strict square footage based on dog weight | Rabies (7 MRSA § 3916) |
| Maryland | MDA / County Health & Animal Control | Commercial Kennel License | Sanitary concrete or sealed epoxy floors | Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella |
| Massachusetts | MDAR Division of Animal Health | Commercial Boarding Kennel (MGL c. 140) | Strict quarantine area for contagious dogs | Rabies, Core Canine Series |
| Michigan | MDARD Animal Industry Division | Commercial Boarding Kennel License | Sanitary housing, waste management plan | Rabies Certificate |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Board of Animal Health | Commercial Kennel License (Minn. R. 1721) | Enclosure allow normal postural adjustment | Rabies (State Rule 1721.0540) |
| Mississippi | MS Board of Animal Health / County | Commercial Kennel Permit | Adequate shelter, continuous water | Rabies Mandatory |
| Missouri | Missouri Dept of Agriculture (ACFA) | ACFA Boarding Kennel License | ACFA structural, HVAC & space rules | Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus |
| Montana | Montana Dept of Livestock | Commercial Kennel Certificate | Weather-tight building, perimeter fencing | Rabies Certificate |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Dept of Agriculture | Commercial Boarding License (Neb. Rev. Stat.) | Sanitary impervious construction | Rabies Mandatory |
| Nevada | Nevada Dept of Agriculture / City | Commercial Animal Boarding Permit | HVAC cooling standard (heat protection) | Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella |
| New Hampshire | NH Dept of Agriculture, Markets & Food | Commercial Kennel License (RSA 437) | Annual state inspection of premises | Rabies Certificate Mandatory |
| New Jersey | NJ Dept of Health / Local Health | Kennel License (NJAC 8:23A) | Non-porous washdown runs, 10 ACH air | Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, Bordetella |
| New Mexico | NM Livestock Board / Municipal | Commercial Boarding Facility Permit | Adequate shade, evaporative cooling | Rabies Certificate |
| New York | NYS Dept of Agriculture & Markets | Pet Care Facility / Kennel License | Art. 26-A Pet Dealer & Boarding Standards | Rabies (PHL § 2141), DHPP, Bordetella |
| North Carolina | NCDA&CS Animal Welfare Section | Boarding Kennel License (NCGS § 19A) | Primary enclosure minimum 4x6 ft | Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus |
| North Dakota | ND State Board of Animal Health | Commercial Kennel License | Insulated indoor heating, solid runs | Rabies Certificate |
| Ohio | Ohio Dept of Agriculture (ODA) | High Volume Breeder / Boarding Kennel | ORC Chapter 956 Standards | Rabies Mandatory |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Dept of Agriculture (ODAFF) | Commercial Pet Facility License | Adequate space, clean water access | Rabies Certificate |
| Oregon | ODA Animal Health / County | Commercial Kennel License | Cleanable non-absorbent surfaces | Rabies Mandatory |
| Pennsylvania | PA Dept of Agriculture Bureau of Dogs | Boarding Kennel Class (Act 119) | Strict square footage, 24/7 ventilation | Rabies, 6-Month Bordetella |
| Rhode Island | RIDEM Division of Agriculture | Commercial Boarding Kennel License | Annual inspection, sanitary isolation unit | Rabies Certificate |
| South Carolina | SC Dept of Health / County Animal Control | Commercial Kennel Permit | Adequate shelter, washdown drainage | Rabies Mandatory (SC Code § 47-5-60) |
| South Dakota | SD Animal Industry Board | Commercial Boarding Facility | Adequate cold-weather winter shelter | Rabies Certificate |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Dept of Agriculture | Commercial Kennel Registration | Cleanable concrete/epoxy floor runs | Rabies (TCA § 68-8-103) |
| Texas | TDLR Licensed Breeders / City Health | Commercial Pet Boarding Permit | Air conditioned, drainage slope, play yard | Rabies (THSC § 826.021) |
| Utah | Utah Dept of Agriculture & Food (UDAF) | Commercial Boarding Establishment | Enclosures allow normal exercise | Rabies Certificate |
| Vermont | VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Mkts | Pet Shop / Boarding Kennel Permit | Adequate heat, cleanable surfaces | Rabies Certificate Mandatory |
| Virginia | VDACS Office of Veterinary Services | Commercial Boarding Establishment | Comprehensive Animal Care Laws (Ch. 65) | Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus |
| Washington | WSDA / County Animal Services | Commercial Kennel License | Non-porous sealed concrete, fresh air | Rabies (WAC 246-100-197) |
| West Virginia | WV Dept of Agriculture | Commercial Boarding Kennel | Adequate indoor space, daily cleaning | Rabies Mandatory |
| Wisconsin | DATCP Division of Animal Health | Dog Seller / Facility License (ATCP 16) | Strict pen dimensions, temperature ranges | Rabies (Wis. Stat. § 95.21) |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Livestock Board | Commercial Kennel Permit | Weather shelter, predator-proof fences | Rabies Certificate |