Dog boarding license requirements in Vermont

What Vermont 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. Check with your town or city; the town pet dealer permit covers selling animals, not boarding.

Pets nobody picks up

Covers kennels

Send a notice by registered mail, not certified, giving 10 days to pick up. After that you may deliver the pet to a humane society or town pound, or sell it toward the owner's bill.

Rabies

Required

Dogs over 3 months must be vaccinated by a vet.

Sources: 20 V.S.A. § 3511 20 V.S.A. § 3512 20 V.S.A. § 3581a

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.

Vermont and its neighbors

State Kennel license Pets nobody picks up Rabies
Vermont No state license Covers kennels Required
Massachusetts State license Vets only Required
New Hampshire No state license Covers kennels Required
New York 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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Eleven chapters, plus three free months of Goodstay from the day you open

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