Dog boarding license requirements in Oregon

What Oregon law says about licensing a boarding kennel or daycare, pets nobody picks up, and rabies. Checked November 2, 2026.

Kennel license

No state license

No state license, but Department of Agriculture care standards apply to boarding kennels, covering facilities, health and records. Check with your county; some, like Multnomah, license daycares.

Pets nobody picks up

Vets only

The law covers only vet facilities: 4 or more days after a certified letter. A non-vet kennel is not covered, so ask an attorney before rehoming an unclaimed pet.

Rabies

Required

Dogs 6 months and older, or with permanent canine teeth, must be vaccinated.

Whether the state actively inspects boarding kennels was not verified.

Sources: OAR 603-015-0035 ORS 686.435 ORS 433.365 Multnomah County facility licensing

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.

Oregon and its neighbors

State Kennel license Pets nobody picks up Rabies
Oregon No state license Vets only Required
California No state license Covers kennels Required
Idaho No state license Vets only Local rules
Nevada No state license Vets only Required
Washington No state license Covers kennels Required

The state is one of four permissions you need.

Zoning, your county or city, and the fire marshal come too. The Opening Kit walks you through all of them, with the questions to ask each office, then insurance, policies, prices and your first twenty clients.

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