BajaNomad

Bringing dog to Mexico

jgoldy - 11-26-2018 at 08:36 AM

Hi all -
I'm finding conflicting info online about how to correctly bring my dog into Mexico. Can anyone offer real experience and advice?

My vet is making things very complicated, calling the Consulate, saying I need an address in Mexico, etc (I'm just going on a month-long road trip, camping in my van.)

I know I need to show some kind of paperwork but what is it?
Any concrete advice is appreciated!

David K - 11-26-2018 at 09:20 AM

1)Current rabies vaccination records.
2)An International Health Certificate from the vet (obtained days before you leave for Mexico.

#1 Has been requested on occasion back when I had a dog on my trips and others reported as well, more recently.

Most often they (U.S.) don't even ask.
Mexico (Tecate) wants the dog secured on a leash or restrained while riding in the car/truck.
Nobody I can remember has reported that any Mexican or American official has asked to see the International health certificate. You know what they say: Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!

Howard - 11-26-2018 at 09:24 AM

If your Vet is that sticky for an address, just use an address of a hotel. If you feel more comfortable with a house address, E-Mail me and I will give you my address in Loreto, Baja or La Bufadora, Ensenada.

No need to worry about the address thing, it just sounds like you Vet is not familiar with how much the address is a non issue.

Just get a International health certificate showing the current rabies shot and your good to go.

AKgringo - 11-26-2018 at 09:43 AM

Even when I have offered my dog's health certificate, no one so far has really looked at it. That includes US and Canadian border crossings!

A certificate for Mexico should also include a record of ongoing parasite control. Since I spend half a year in Northern California where mosquitos, ticks and fleas can be a health risk, I have my dog on Sentinel.....but nobody seems to care!

BajaBlanca - 11-26-2018 at 11:08 AM

jogoldy - the regulations are so vague and I bet your vet is just trying to cover his or her bases!

what everyone says is the best way to go: rabies, vaccinations up to date, and parasite control. Have dog tethered to a leash as you cross the border and then let it off once you cross and you should be good to go!

Have fun in Baja and welcome to bajanomad.

jedge42 - 11-26-2018 at 11:11 AM

We have crossed 5 times south (San Ysidro, Tecate x 3, Mexicali) and 4 times north (Tecate x 3, San Luis) in the last 4ish years, all with our dog, and with all the paperwork. Never had the US ask for anything and only once (in Tecate) did Mexico and they only cared about the rabies certification.

Lots of vets near the border are savvy about the whole thing and the health cert is supposed to be done within 10 (?) days of crossing -- might be worth looking into a vet along your path.

jake

jgoldy - 11-26-2018 at 12:41 PM

Thanks everyone for such practical advice! I'm guessing the border control has more important things to worry about at the moment than dogs but I'll get the vet exam and vaccinations nonetheless.

Jack Swords - 11-26-2018 at 03:42 PM

If you are bringing the dog in by air, you will be asked (probably) for the Health Certificate. We never had a problem going by truck, but they were pretty fussy when we arrived by air. We always had ours, going and coming, so it was not a problem.

jgoldy - 11-26-2018 at 04:02 PM

I should have clarfied - we will be crossing by car (not at San Ysidro, probably at Tecate assuming its still open in a week or so!)

I'm going to get the vet certificate, and he's up to date on his shots, but how in the heck do you "prove" that he's been treated with flea/tick stuff??? I put Frontline on him but I don't know how to get a certificate saying so, haha...
good to hear that this is not checked. Hope that's true for me as well!

bajaguy - 11-26-2018 at 04:07 PM

Just have your vet add it to the vaccination record - our vet did it for free.
Quote: Originally posted by jgoldy  
I should have clarfied - we will be crossing by car (not at San Ysidro, probably at Tecate assuming its still open in a week or so!)

I'm going to get the vet certificate, and he's up to date on his shots, but how in the heck do you "prove" that he's been treated with flea/tick stuff??? I put Frontline on him but I don't know how to get a certificate saying so, haha...
good to hear that this is not checked. Hope that's true for me as well!

AKgringo - 11-26-2018 at 04:47 PM

It is not just ticks and fleas that you should worry about. Heart worms are carried by mosquitos. Round worms, tapeworms and probably critters I don't even know about can be spread by social interaction with other dogs. And then, there is the occasional urge for some dogs to gobble poop!

In short, I keep my girl on sentinel whether I am traveling or not. It does not kill fleas or ticks outright, but it will prevent them from reproducing.

BajaMama - 11-30-2018 at 03:48 PM

Always best to have the required paperwork. I seem to recall flea/tick/parasite treatment is also required. I just bring the box the meds come in with me. But, like everyone said, you most likely will not be asked. For heading back north, make sure you have your rabies certificate and a vaccination record (your vet can print out).

bajamary1952 - 12-1-2018 at 09:53 AM

When I first moved to Tijuana in 2010 I spent about $150 for vaccinations, required records, etc. and no one has ever asked me for anything coming/going from border (including mainland) so I've never spent a dime for the "required" paperwork. If you are female traveling alone (with 1 or more dogs doesn't matter) no one bothers you about paperwork. If you have any dealings with Mexican veternarians you'll come to the conclusion that American vets are just like American healthcare--$$$$$$$$$.