The fields that matter
Every entry needs just five things. Anything more is decoration, anything less causes future squinting.
| Field | What to write | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Vaccine name | Exactly as the vet wrote it, for example DHPP or F3. | Names vary by brand and region, so precision avoids confusion. |
| Date given | The day the shot happened. | Every due date calculation starts here. |
| Next due | The date or interval your vet sets. | This is the field that saves you from lapsed protection. |
| Given by | Clinic and vet name. | Handy for records transfers and boarding checks. |
| Proof | A photo of the certificate or sticker. | The official evidence when someone asks for it. |
The paper problem
Paper vaccine cards have a talent for vanishing exactly when needed. These habits fix that.
- Photograph the card in the clinic car park, before it reaches the drawer.
- Log the entry the same day while the details are fresh.
- Set the reminder when you log it, not when you remember.
- Keep records for every pet in one shared place the whole family can reach.
The two tap version
This is the part we built PetWrite for. Point your camera at the certificate and the name and date are read for you, the next due date is calculated, and the reminder sets itself.
- Snap the vaccination card and let the AI intake read it.
- Confirm the details with two taps.
- The original photo stays attached to the record forever.
- Export a clean care sheet any time a kennel or new vet asks.
When records really earn their keep
You rarely need them on a good day. You always need them on a complicated one.
- Boarding, daycare and grooming drop offs that ask for proof.
- Moving house and transferring to a new vet.
- Emergencies, when a new clinic needs history fast.
- Travel, where vaccine timing rules can be strict.
Good questions
What should a pet vaccination record include?+
Each entry should hold the vaccine name, the date given, who gave it, and the next due date. Add the batch or sticker from the label if you can, plus the clinic's name, and keep a photo of the original card.
How do I keep vaccination records without paper?+
Photograph every certificate the day you receive it, then log the vaccine name, date and next due date somewhere you always have with you. A pet record app like PetWrite does this in two taps and sets the reminder automatically.
Do boarding kennels and daycares need vaccination proof?+
Yes, most boarding kennels, daycares and groomers ask for proof of current vaccinations, especially kennel cough for dogs. Having records on your phone means you are never caught out at drop off.
Let PetWrite keep the template for you
Add a vaccine once and PetWrite holds the name, date, clinic and next due date, then reminds you before it arrives. Snap the card and we will even read the details for you.
Start your pet's story freeKeep reading
Everything a sitter needs on one warm page, so you can actually relax on holiday.
Which shots dogs need, when they usually happen, and how to never miss a due date.
Core and lifestyle vaccines for cats, from kitten series to adult boosters.
This template is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Your vet's certificate is the official record, so keep photos of originals alongside anything you log yourself.