What California law says about licensing a boarding kennel or daycare, pets nobody picks up, and rabies. Checked November 2, 2026.
No state license
No state license, but state standards cover any place boarding 4 or more pets for pay, including a fire alarm linked to a central station or a fire sprinkler system. Check with your county or city for a kennel permit.
Covers kennels
A pet not picked up within 14 days after it was due is abandoned; you must then try for at least 10 days to find it a new owner, or transfer it to a shelter or rescue that agrees to take it. You must post a notice of this law at the facility or print it on the receipt.
Required
Dogs 3 months and older must be vaccinated in every declared rabies area.
Statute text was read on FindLaw, and all 58 counties must be re-declared rabies areas each year, so confirm the current declaration with CDPH.
Sources: Cal. Health & Safety Code § 122380 Cal. Civ. Code § 1834.5 Cal. Health & Safety Code § 121690 17 CCR § 2606.4
Facts, not legal advice. Laws change, and your county or city may have its own kennel permit: call them before you rely on any of this.
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