Helping dogs enjoy healthier daycare and boarding experiences in Baltimore & Harford Counties.
If you’ve ever wondered why dog daycare and boarding facilities require vaccines, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we hear from new pet parents.
The short answer?
Because dogs love being around other dogs—and that’s exactly what makes daycare, boarding, dog parks, training classes, grooming appointments, and even veterinary waiting rooms so much fun. It’s also what makes it possible for everyday germs to be shared.
At Best Friends Fur Ever, we don’t believe one vaccine—or one policy—keeps dogs healthy. Instead, we believe healthy group play comes from multiple layers of protection working together. Vaccinations are one important piece of that bigger picture.
Why do dog daycares require vaccines?
Dog daycare is a social environment. Throughout the day, dogs play, sniff, drink from shared water stations, explore outdoor play yards, and interact with handlers and other dogs.
Just like children at school or people in shared public spaces, dogs naturally encounter everyday viruses and bacteria when they’re around one another.
Vaccines help prepare your dog’s immune system before they’re exposed. While they can’t prevent every illness, they can help reduce the likelihood of certain diseases and support a stronger immune response if exposure does occur.
That’s why most reputable dog daycare and boarding facilities—including Best Friends Fur Ever—require vaccinations before dogs participate in group activities.
Which vaccines are typically required for dog daycare?
Requirements vary from facility to facility, but most dog daycare and boarding programs require protection against illnesses commonly seen in social environments.
At Best Friends Fur Ever, our vaccination requirements are based on veterinary guidance and are designed to help support a healthier environment for every guest.
Our current requirements include:
- Rabies
- DHPP (Distemper/Parvo combination vaccine)
- Leptospirosis
- Bordetella
- Canine Influenza
These vaccines work together to help reduce the likelihood of illnesses that can occur anywhere dogs gather.
View our current vaccine requirements →
Can vaccinated dogs still get sick?
This is another question we hear often. The answer is yes—but there’s important context.
No vaccine in veterinary medicine (or human medicine) can prevent every illness or every exposure. Just as people can occasionally catch a cold despite taking precautions, dogs can still develop respiratory or gastrointestinal illnesses after being around other dogs.
Vaccines don’t create an invisible shield.
Instead, they help the immune system recognize and respond more effectively, often reducing the likelihood of illness or helping dogs recover more quickly.
That’s why responsible dog daycare isn’t built around vaccines alone.
Vaccines are just one layer of protection
At Best Friends Fur Ever, we think of dog wellness like building a team. Every part plays an important role.
Along with vaccination requirements, we also focus on:
- Daily wellness observations by trained handlers
- Outdoor play and fresh-air enrichment
- Facility cleaning and sanitation throughout the day
- Indoor air quality and ventilation
- Individualized play groups and personalized care
- Prompt communication with pet parents
- Collaboration with local veterinarians whenever needed
Each layer helps support the next, creating a healthier experience for every dog that visits our resorts.
Why we pay so much attention to daily wellness
One of the biggest misconceptions about daycare is that health starts and ends with vaccines. In reality, our team is continually observing dogs throughout the day.
We’re watching for changes in:
- Energy level
- Mobility
- Appetite
- Breathing
- Behavior
- Overall comfort
Dogs can’t tell us when something feels different—but changes in their behavior often do.
Recognizing those changes early allows us to respond quickly, communicate with pet parents, and recommend veterinary follow-up whenever appropriate.
What if my dog isn’t feeling well during daycare?
If one of our handlers notices that a dog may not be feeling their best, we’ll move them to a quiet, comfortable area away from group activities while we contact their family.
If additional veterinary care is recommended, we’ll work alongside you and your veterinarian to help determine the best next steps before your dog’s return.
This approach helps support your dog’s recovery while protecting the health of the entire play community.
Helping Maryland dogs enjoy more good days
For more than 20 years, Best Friends Fur Ever has cared for dogs throughout Baltimore County, Harford County, Bel Air, Abingdon, Joppa, Forest Hill, White Marsh, Perry Hall, Towson, Timonium, Hunt Valley, and surrounding Maryland communities.
We believe healthy group play isn’t about one policy—it’s about thoughtful prevention.
Through vaccination requirements, daily wellness monitoring, outdoor enrichment, air quality management, sanitation, trained handlers, and open communication with pet parents and veterinary partners, we’re committed to helping every dog enjoy a healthier, happier visit.