How do I check vaccination record keeping at a pet boarding business?

Choose the sample yourself rather than accepting the files the seller picks. Take pets from different months, including recent arrivals and long-term regulars, and look for missing papers, unclear dates or records that were never updated after a booster.

Ask how the system works day to day. Is there a reminder when a record is about to expire? Who looks at the paperwork when a pet arrives, and what happens if papers are not in order? A business that turns away pets without current papers shows discipline. One that makes frequent exceptions may be carrying risk.

Consider where the information lives. Paper folders, a spreadsheet and booking software can all work, but they need to agree. Ask who can change a record and whether changes are logged. Find out how long old files are kept, and ask your lawyer what you should do with them after the sale. Finally, talk to a local vet clinic that works with the business, if the seller agrees. Their view on how clients are screened and how outbreaks are handled gives an outside check on the paperwork. Keep notes on every file you open, and ask the seller to explain any difference you find.

Key takeaways

• Choose your own sample of client files, across different dates.
• Ask who checks papers at arrival and what happens when they are missing.
• Find out whether changes to records are logged.