What Catteries Are Protecting Against
A cattery houses many unrelated cats in one building, breathing shared air in corridors even when units are separate. Vaccination proof is how the cattery protects every resident, including yours, from diseases that travel easily between cats in close quarters. That is why reputable catteries are strict about it, and why a place that never asks should worry you rather than relieve you. The requirement is not paperwork for its own sake; it is the main barrier between one newly arrived carrier cat and a building full of other people's pets.
The Proof You Will Usually Be Asked For
Expect to show a record that your cat's core vaccinations are current, covering the diseases routinely vaccinated against in cats, including cat flu and feline enteritis. The record needs to show your cat's identity, what was given, the date it was given and when the next booster falls due, and it should come from the veterinary practice that gave it. Some catteries also ask about additional cover depending on their policy and the cats they board, which is exactly why you confirm their specific list when you book. A booster that has lapsed may need restarting, and that cannot be fixed the night before travel, so check dates as soon as a trip is planned.
Timing Matters More Than Most Owners Expect
Vaccinations do not protect instantly, and a cattery may require a gap between a booster and the start of the stay for cover to be effective. If your cat is a kitten beginning her course, a rescue whose history is unknown, or a cat whose boosters have slipped, talk to your vet early so the course can be completed in time. If the dates cannot be made to work, a home sitter may be the safer plan for this trip rather than a hurried course and a refused check-in. Discovering a lapsed booster at drop-off, with bags packed and a flight waiting, is the outcome early checking exists to prevent.
How to Present the Record
Bring the original record or a clear, complete copy, and expect the cattery to note the dates rather than take your word for them. A photograph of a crumpled card with the due date cut off causes delays; a legible copy speeds check-in for everyone. If your cat's record is spread across two practices because you moved, gather both parts before the stay so the full history is visible in one place. Ask the cattery at booking whether they want proof sent ahead or shown on arrival, and whether they keep a copy on file for future stays.
A Note on Cats Who Cannot Be Vaccinated
Occasionally a cat cannot receive a vaccine for a genuine medical reason. Be honest about that at booking rather than hoping it goes unasked: some catteries will accept a letter from your vet explaining the position, others cannot take the risk to their other residents and will decline. Either answer is better learned weeks ahead, when a sitter or a trusted friend remains an option. Whatever your cat's position, having her full vaccination history gathered in her KinsLe Pet Passport means you can show any cattery exactly what she has had, and when, without hunting through drawers the night before a trip.