Pet Medical Boarding Services

To make sure every pet stays safe, comfortable, and well cared for, we do have a few requirements in place for medical boarding. We’re here to help you and answer any questions along the way.

Current Patients & New Patients

Medical boarding is available for pets who are established patients at MCAH—that means they’ve had a physical exam with one of our doctors within the past year.

• Already an MCAH client? You’re all set—we’ll make sure pet’s exam is up to date. If it has been more than a year since their last exam, we’ll help get an appointment scheduled before your pet’s boarding stay.
• New to MCAH? We’d love to meet you! We are accepting new clients and patients for medical boarding. Before we can finalize a boarding reservation, we’ll need to see your pet for an initial visit so we can get to know them, review their medical history, and make sure we’re prepared to meet their needs.

Not sure if your pet is due for an exam? Just give us a call—we’re happy to check for you and help schedule an appointment if needed.

Vaccine Requirements

To keep all pets safe and healthy, we require that medical boarding patients are current on core vaccines.

Dogs need to be up to date on:

• Rabies vaccine
• Distemper combination vaccine (DHPP, DHLPP, or DAPP)
• Bordetella vaccine (kennel cough)

Cats need to be up to date on:

• Rabies vaccine
• FVRCP (feline distemper combination vaccine)

If your pet is due for any vaccines, we can take care of that during a pre-boarding appointment—just let us know!

Flea & Tick Protection

All boarding pets must be on an effective flea and tick preventative to protect themselves and others during their stay.

Here’s what we recommend:

• Dogs:
• Bravecto Monthly for puppies under 6 months
• Bravecto 12-week for dogs 6 months and older
• Cats (6 months and older):
• NexGard Plus (monthly)

If your pet is on a different product, or you’re not sure what they’re taking, we’re happy to review it with you and help you choose what’s best.

Questions? Not sure where to start? Just reach out—we’re here to help you every step of the way. Whether you’re scheduling a stay, a checkup, or just figuring out what your pet needs, our team is ready to make the process easy and stress-free.

Because medical boarding involves more than standard boarding, we ask that you schedule an appointment for both check-in and check-out so we can give your pet the time and attention they deserve.

At check-in, a member of our veterinary technician team will meet with you for a short intake appointment. This allows us to:

• Review your pet’s current medical needs and treatment plan
• Discuss any recent changes in health, behavior, or appetite
• Go over medications, feeding instructions, or post-surgical care
• Make sure we understand your goals and preferences for your pet’s stay

This is a vital step in ensuring safe, consistent, and individualized care. Unlike a quick drop-off at a standard boarding facility, medical boarding at MCAH includes clinical services in addition to routine care—so it’s important that we take time to fully prepare.

At check-out, we’ll review how your pet did during their stay, go over any follow-up instructions, and answer any questions you may have.

You’re welcome to schedule check-in/check-out appointments in advance, or simply call about an hour ahead of when you’d like to arrive—either way, we’ll be ready for you.

Please note: We do not offer pick-up on Sundays or holidays, so be sure to plan your pet’s stay accordingly.

We’ll take care of most essentials during your pet’s stay, but there are a few important things to bring so we can provide the best possible care:

Please bring:

• All current medications your pet is taking, clearly labeled (in original packaging when possible)
• If your pet is on a special diet , bring enough food for the entire stay.
• Your completed Medical Boarding Registration Form, if you haven’t already submitted it online

Please do not bring personal items such as toys, bedding, or bowls unless specifically requested. We provide clean, comfortable bedding and feeding supplies—and this helps us keep everything sanitary and easy to manage.

We understand that familiar items from home can be comforting—but in most cases, we prefer that you do not send personal belongings such as toys, blankets, or bedding.

Here’s why:

• If personal items become soiled, they are washed with our general hospital laundry, which includes hundreds of pounds of bedding each day.
• With such a large volume, it’s very difficult to keep track of individual items, and unfortunately, things may get lost or mixed in.

If you do choose to bring something from home, we kindly ask that you:

• Limit it to a small number of items
• Clearly label each item with your pet’s name using permanent marker

We’ll always do our best to return items in good condition—but we can’t guarantee their return.

Yes! In fact, we encourage it—especially for pets with sensitive stomachs or prescription dietary needs.

At MCAH, we routinely feed Purina EN Gastroenteric to our boarding patients. This highly digestible diet is gentle on the stomach and well-tolerated by most pets. However, if your pet is on a specific food—particularly a prescription, allergy-friendly, or sensitive diet—we strongly recommend sending enough of their regular food for the entire stay.

Bringing your pet’s own food helps:

• Prevent gastrointestinal upset due to sudden diet changes
• Ensure consistency in managing medical conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, or allergies
• Support overall comfort and well-being during their stay

Please make sure food is clearly labeled. We will review your pet’s feeding instructions from the Medical Boarding Registration Form during the intake appointment at check-in.

Your pet’s health and comfort are our top priorities. Because medical boarding is overseen by our veterinary team, we’re able to closely monitor your pet throughout their stay—and respond promptly if anything changes.

If your pet shows signs of illness or discomfort, we will:

• Have one of our veterinarians evaluate your pet as soon as possible
• Provide treatment or supportive care as appropriate
• Contact you (or your emergency contact) to discuss findings, recommendations, and next steps

Our team is trained to recognize early signs of medical concerns, and being in a clinical setting means we can act quickly if your pet needs care.

Please note: Additional fees will apply for any services provided during the stay, including veterinary evaluations, treatments, diagnostics, or medications.

If you have any specific concerns about your pet’s health or behavior—or if you think they may need additional monitoring or treatment during their stay—please let us know during the boarding intake appointment. We’re more than happy to arrange a doctor’s exam during your pet’s stay.

Our goal is to ensure your pet receives the right level of care and that you feel informed and supported every step of the way.

Medical boarding is designed specifically for pets who need medical care or monitoring during their stay. This includes pets recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions, or taking medications that require veterinary oversight.

Here’s how it’s different from standard boarding:

• Veterinary Supervision: Our medical team oversees your pet’s care and is available to respond to changes in their health.
• Individualized Treatment Plans: We provide care based on your pet’s specific medical needs, including medication administration, post-surgical care, and medical monitoring.
• Clinical Environment: Pets stay in our hospital, not a traditional boarding facility. This allows for close observation and quick access to treatment if needed.
• Intake Appointment: A member of our veterinary technician team will meet with you at check-in to review your pet’s health status, medications, and care plan.

Medical boarding is not a substitute for standard boarding—it’s simply the right fit for pets who need additional medical support during their time away from home.

Most pets do wonderfully in standard boarding environments, and we’re always happy to help you determine which option is best based on your pet’s needs.

Medical boarding is ideal for pets who need daytime medical care or monitoring, but who are otherwise stable and don’t require around-the-clock attention. It’s designed for pets who need a little extra support—such as medication administration, post-surgical care, or monitoring of a chronic condition—while their families are away.

Hospitalization is more appropriate for pets with advanced or urgent medical needs, especially if they require:

• 24-hour observation or intensive monitoring
• Ongoing treatment overnight or throughout the day
• Frequent medical intervention or emergency care

At MCAH, we do not offer overnight supervision. If your pet requires care outside of our regular hospital hours, we may recommend hospitalization at a 24-hour emergency or specialty facility to ensure their safety and comfort.

If you’re unsure which level of care your pet needs, our team is here to help. We can assess your pet’s condition, talk through your concerns, and help determine whether medical boarding or hospitalization is the right choice.