What South Carolina 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. Check with your county or city.
Covers kennels
Only if your written contract allows it: on the missed pickup date, mail notice by both regular and certified mail, and 10 days later you may transfer the pet to a shelter. You must post a notice of this law at your business.
Required
Dogs must be kept continuously vaccinated.
Sources: S.C. Code § 47-3-75 S.C. Code § 29-15-60 S.C. Code § 47-5-60
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.
| State | Kennel license | Pets nobody picks up | Rabies |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | No state license | Covers kennels | Required |
| Georgia | State license | Covers kennels | Required |
| North Carolina | State license | Vets only | Required |
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.
$99
Eleven chapters, plus three free months of Goodstay from the day you open
Opening in South Carolina? See the kit