BajaNomad

Taking Baja mutts home

Cardon Man - 6-21-2006 at 11:08 AM

Well, looks like I've inherited a couple of new dogs...classic Baja mutts. We kinda found each other and have been hanging out together for months and now that I'm homeward bound I just can't leave 'em behind. My question is...What do I need to know about taking them home. Papers etc. Any advice? Any one else done this? Stayin posted..

[Edited on 6-21-2006 by Cardon Man]

Bruce R Leech - 6-21-2006 at 11:11 AM

just get a vets certificat of good health and vaccinations. and be sure to declare there value.

Taking Dogs North

MrBillM - 6-21-2006 at 11:37 AM

On the rare occasion that they do ask for documentation, The only thing that U.S. Customs ever asks for is a Rabies Vaccination Certificate. Time and again in the 70s and early 80s, I would get an International Health Certificate from my Vet. Nobody on either side of the border was interested, they simply wanted to see the Rabies Certification.

Back in August 1998, we adopted a young Lab/Dobie ? mixed dog (approx 4 mos) that had been born in the wild. Before going back to pick him up, I wanted to make sure I had Rabies Docs without going into town so I sat down at my computer and made an excellent copy of my vet's certificates. When I got to the border, the agent asked "what's your citizenship" ? "U.S. ". " How about your dog" ? "Him, too". "OK, have a nice day".

Last March, we picked up a tiny puppy at the Vets in San Felipe. She was too young (eight weeks by the time we went North) to have a Rabies Vaccination. I was a little concerned as we approached the border because I didn't know for sure what the requirements were. The Agent looked in the vehicle, asked the citizenship question and waved us on our way.

El Camote - 6-21-2006 at 01:41 PM

Gotta agree with Bill. We also adopted our Baja mutt in '98 but she was so mangey looking we were asked for rabies vac. papers when we crossed and nothing else. Luckily, we had gotten the vac. down there. Good idea and it's a lot cheaper too. :yes:

mutts

tehag - 6-21-2006 at 02:53 PM

I drive round trip to the US once or twice a year with 2 Loreto dogs without any hassle. I carry rabies certificate for Mex, and they are licensed in SD County.

bajajudy - 6-21-2006 at 03:58 PM

CM
You're the man.
Thanks for taking care of some of the poor unfortuanate dogs that populate our beloved peninsula. If everyone would take a couple home, it would be a wonderful thing!
I have two Mex mutts myself and wouldnt trade them for anything.
We also always travel with papers. Have never been asked to show them to anyone going either direction. I wouldnt travel without them though.

oladulce - 6-21-2006 at 08:24 PM

One tip CardonMan- Use the don't ask,don't tell approach at the border. If they don't ask about the dogs, then don't mention them.

We brought back a couple of 1 month old Baja gatitos last week and should have kept our mouths shut when they asked "what are you bringing back from Mexico", but nooooo. We had to tell them about the kittens. The guy said that "cats from Mex. had to be quarantined" and sent us from Tecate, back in to Mexico, then to Otay Mesa.

We waited 2 hours at OT and the guy let us go through without a word about them.

I discovered on the US Customs website says that "there are no restrictions or vaccination requirements for bringing cats in to the US, but they may be inspected for appearance of health" so the Tecate agent know not of what he spoke- but was able to give us the run around anyway.

Here's the link to the US customs site and the topic of entering with dogs and rabies vaccine requirements. The info might save you time if you know the rules ahead of time- in case they don't !!!

US Customs

Marie-Rose - 6-21-2006 at 08:52 PM

Way to go Cardon Man!!!:bounce:

You will not be sorry! We brought a 2 1/2 yr old stray home 3 years ago and every trip since then I have brought at least one puppy with me as carry on. Usually the pups are too young for rabies, so we have access to pre-signed health certificates that have rabies checked off, although they were not immunized. In Todos Santos and LaPaz the vets are quite happy to oblige. Driving we have not been asked for papers. Always check when I carry them on the plane.
Having said that, we always make sure that the dogs have been thoroughly examined by a reputable vet. Our first dog Paloma, who was 2 1/2, tested positive for heartworm so we had her treated in LaPaz before we brought her home. It cost $100. and although hard on her, the vets here in Canada were not convinced they could have treated her successfully as they are not as experienced with that disease. There is one more test that should be done and for the life of me I can not remember the name. It is done at the same time as the heartworm testing and both of those screens usually cost $25. I think the disease was called "erlichea"(???) I'm not sure if
that one is as treatable. Several years ago they were leary to test puppies for either of these but recently they have been. The delemna for the dog rescue operation is that if we test all the puppies and find that they have contracted the disease, who can afford to treat them all??? Then do you turn a blind eye and adopt them out anyway??
OK now I'm rambling.... good on you. Baja dogs are the best!!!!!

bajaden - 6-22-2006 at 12:45 AM

We have two rescues from baja. They have all the shots and papers. Having said all that, I have never been hasseled at the border. They have seen my dogs and have never even asked a question about them. I don't think you will have a problem........

Capt. George - 6-22-2006 at 03:40 AM

Novia y Shelly, 2 of the best dogs I've ever had. Ever see a dog climb a tree? Watched Novia do it chasing squirrels here in Florida...

Abreojos pedigrees, they still know they're dogs. No hats, sweaters or booties!

Never a problem crossing the border, north or south..

gp

La Pinta

Tomas Tierra - 6-22-2006 at 09:35 AM

Best dog ever!!

From the east cape. Saw the vet in La Paz for 5 bucks, got some sort of certificate of health and a shot. She slept through the border where I did not declare her. I guess that is taking a chance but, oh well we made it..Happy dog!!

She is 10 years now...I will be snooping around for another one soon..

Good luck Cardon!

roundtuit - 6-22-2006 at 04:47 PM

When I brought my dog back in April the US customs girl was more interested on petting my dog than looking in car or trailer. Never asked for papers:lol::lol::lol:

Bruce R Leech - 6-22-2006 at 05:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Tomas Tierra
Best dog ever!!

From the east cape. Saw the vet in La Paz for 5 bucks, got some sort of certificate of health and a shot. She slept through the border where I did not declare her. I guess that is taking a chance but, oh well we made it..Happy dog!!

She is 10 years now...I will be snooping around for another one soon..

Good luck Cardon!



I was only kidding about declaring the value. of course they have no monetary value but they are worth a million bucks in companionship. lets just say it is the best deal in Baja.