Pet care tips
Keeping vaccination records current without chasing people
A simple expiry-first system for shots, plus how to handle the awkward conversation at the door.
5 min read
Vaccination admin is nobody's favourite job, and it's the one that can close you down. The trick is to stop treating it as paperwork you check and start treating it as a date you watch.
Track expiry, not upload
A record on file tells you nothing useful. An expiry date tells you when to act. Store the date, and let a reminder go out well before it lapses: 30 days is usually enough for an owner to get a vet appointment.
Make the rule the same for everyone
The hardest version of this conversation is with a client you like. Having a written policy that applies to all bookings makes it a rule you're both following rather than a judgement you're making.
- State requirements at the point of booking, not at drop-off.
- Accept a vet-issued document, and note who verified it.
- Block the booking automatically when the date has passed. Do not rely on memory.
Have a kind script ready
"I can't take Milo today because his kennel cough lapsed on the 3rd, but I can hold his spot if you can get a vet note this week." Firm, specific, and it still offers a way forward.