I followed the link to that vaccination site, and, it seems to be pretty well researched and documented. But, what do I know? Anyone can make a website.

My problem is that the same vets that are charging me for apparently unnecessary boosters are also the ones who write the state regulations that specify what my dog needs to have in order to be boarded.

So, I can go on principle and tell the vet I'm not interested in subsidizing their student loan payments, etc. But, the next time I want to go on vacation, I'm screwed.

Sadly, your vets are right. It is part of the regulations in most states that you do this. Unfortunately, so many owners still never bother with vaccinations that there is a real risk of a disease outbreak among boarded dogs.

It's annoying, but we had to vaccinate our cats for the move from Texas to Illinois - something we really didn't want to do. They had to be boarded for two weeks before they got on an airplane. The joke is that moving the cats was more expensive than moving the people.

I totally agree that annual boosters may be harmful to our pets. However, every boarding kennel requires these shots every year or even every 6 months in the case of Bordetella. When my Yorkie was ill before he died, my vet said it would be harmful to give him the boosters so I had to take him with me everywhere (not a huge hardship but still) even though I had titres done which showed he had very high levels of immunity to all the various diseases. To me, this is ridiculous and irresponsible.

I guess I was also breaking the law because my vet wouldn't even give Willy a rabies shot. I'm such a law-breaker.