The Pre-Boarding Vaccination Checklist for Cats and Dogs

The holiday is booked, the flights are sorted, and now it is time to plan your pet's stay. When choosing a cattery or dog boarding in Kyrenia, the vaccination card is often the last thing owners think about — yet a single missing jab can throw carefully laid plans into disarray at the last minute. In this article we explain which vaccinations we ask for before a stay at PurrNest, why we ask for them and how to get the timing right. At the end you will find a checklist for cats and one for dogs that you can print out and stick on the fridge.

Why we ask for vaccinations

There are no cages at PurrNest: every guest has a private room of their own, and cats and dogs stay in separate wings with no contact at all. Even so, quite a few animals share the same roof for a while, looked after by the same care team. Some infectious diseases travel through the air, on objects or on people's hands. Vaccination is the simplest way to protect your pet — and the guest in the room next door.

Up-to-date vaccinations help in another way, too. If a health problem does come up during the stay, our in-house vet can make quicker, better-informed decisions with a clear picture of your pet's history.

Vaccinations for cats

Combination vaccine (FVRCP)

This protects against cat flu — the upper respiratory infections caused by feline herpesvirus and calicivirus — and against panleukopenia, also known as feline enteritis. It is the basic safeguard wherever cats spend time near one another.

Rabies

The rabies vaccine must have been given at least 21 days before check-in and within the last 12 months. Those 21 days allow immunity to build up after the injection, so a jab a few days before arrival is, unfortunately, not enough.

Worming and flea and tick treatment

Treatment against internal parasites (worms) and external parasites (fleas and ticks) should have been given within roughly 4 weeks before check-in. Fleas travel easily, so this one matters for everybody.

FeLV (recommended)

The feline leukaemia vaccine is not compulsory, but we do recommend it — especially for cats that go outdoors or live with other cats. Your vet will tell you whether it is right for your cat.

Vaccinations for dogs

Combination vaccine (DHPPi+L)

This covers distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza and leptospirosis. Parvovirus and distemper are serious and highly contagious diseases, which is why this vaccine is an essential requirement.

Rabies

The same rule applies as for cats: given within the last 12 months and at least 21 days before check-in.

Kennel cough (recommended)

Kennel cough is an infectious cough that can spread wherever dogs spend time together. Although every dog stays in their own room with us, we still recommend this vaccine. It comes in nasal and injectable forms; ask your vet which suits your dog and when it should be given.

Parasite treatment, microchip and municipal registration

We also ask for dogs' worming and flea and tick treatment to be up to date. In North Cyprus, dogs must be microchipped and registered with the local municipality, so we check these details before the stay as well.

Timing: plan early

The problem we come across most often is a rabies vaccination that has lapsed just before the holiday. A few tips:

• As soon as you have booked, open the vaccination card and check the dates.
• If the rabies vaccine is due, book the vet appointment at least 3–4 weeks before check-in.
• Time parasite treatment so that it falls within the 4 weeks before check-in.
• Vets get busy over the summer and the festive season, too — don't leave the appointment until the final week.

Remember that your vet sets the vaccination schedule, based on your pet's age, health and history. This list sets out what we require for a stay; it is not a substitute for veterinary advice.

Documents to bring

• Vaccination card or pet passport, showing the dates and your vet's stamp or signature
• For dogs: the microchip number and municipal registration details
• For any regular medication: the prescription or a note from your vet

Sending us photos of the documents on WhatsApp when you book makes arrival day quicker and calmer for everyone.

What if a vaccination is missing or overdue?

Don't panic — but don't wait, either. The sooner you let us know, the easier it is to find a solution together. Often all it takes is bringing the vet appointment forward and planning the stay around the date the vaccine becomes effective. A missing rabies vaccination spotted the day before arrival, however, may well mean postponing the stay, because the 21-day period cannot be shortened.

Printable checklist

Cats

• Combination vaccine (FVRCP) up to date
• Rabies: within the last 12 months and at least 21 days before check-in
• Worming and flea and tick treatment: within roughly 4 weeks before check-in
• FeLV vaccine (recommended)
• Vaccination card or passport packed

Dogs

• Combination vaccine (DHPPi+L) up to date
• Rabies: within the last 12 months and at least 21 days before check-in
• Kennel cough vaccine (recommended)
• Worming and flea and tick treatment up to date
• Microchip and municipal registration in order
• Vaccination card or passport packed

How PurrNest helps

When we receive your booking request, we go through your pet's vaccinations with you and let you know in good time if anything is missing. On arrival, our in-house vet checks every guest, and regular check-ups continue throughout the stay. If anything on the list is unclear, just send us a message on WhatsApp. Together we will make sure everything is ready before your cat or dog settles in with us in Dikmen, just outside Kyrenia.