BajaNomad - Traveling with dog

Traveling with dog

bajaboolie - 9-4-2008 at 08:46 PM

Hi Nomads,

We're bringing a dog down for the first time, and for the life of me I couldn't find any information here about the requirements for bringing a dog down & back. It is my understanding I will (or may) need a note from her Vet upon returning. Do I also need to pay a special fee or register her when we get our visas? We're going down for a week.

Thanks much.

David K - 9-4-2008 at 08:56 PM

I have brought dogs to Baja for many years, but not recently... They almost never even ask (U.S. officials), but have the rabies vaccination certificate. Officially, an international health cert. from your vet produced shortly before your trip.

bajabound2005 - 9-4-2008 at 09:00 PM

try this thread
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=30664#pid3108...

stimbo - 9-4-2008 at 09:02 PM

You need to bring current vaccination records and any other registration information. We've never been asked for any paper work though. No fees or registration with Mexico. When you go through the military checkpoints, they will ask you, "Does your dog bite?" You can fill in the rest....

When crossing back into the States, sometimes you will be asked if you have any open containers of dog food. They usually confiscate (the food)....

Your dog will love it!

[Edited on 9-5-2008 by stimbo]

Diver - 9-4-2008 at 09:03 PM

Officially, you should have a recent letter from your US Vet that the dog is up to date on all vaccinations.

We always travels with these letters but have never been asked for them.
However, both our dogs are very gringo-looking big yellow labs.

Packoderm - 9-4-2008 at 09:04 PM

I at least bring a rabies vaccination certificate that includes the breed and color of my dog in case I get questioned at the border, but I never have. To play it safe, you can get a type of veterinary certificate for about $40.00 U.S. from your vet, and that should definitely take care of the documentation that you might need.

BajaWarrior - 9-4-2008 at 09:28 PM

Just about every trip we take we travel with our dogs and have never been asked for documentation although we have it in the form of their current license's and up to date shot cards.

Honestly, they never even ask about the dogs even when they walk to the back of the truck where they are housed in a custom kennel just inside the tailgate. You think they'd notice them...

r.chuckdogsbeach.jpg - 46kB

greybaby - 9-4-2008 at 09:34 PM

Trust me, it is a lot easier to travel with a dog than with a parrot. I doubt that you'll have any problems.

bajaboolie - 9-4-2008 at 09:52 PM

I knew I could count on you all! Thanks so much for the information. Bajabound, that was the thread I remembered reading, but just couldn't find it. I will be sure to get the proper letter from the vet.

We are so looking forward to introducing Stretchy to Baja--she will love it!

I'm open to reading more words of wisdom from those in the know...

15percent.jpg - 45kB

Driving or Flying with Dogs?

Marla Daily - 9-4-2008 at 10:18 PM

When flying with a dog (or two dogs as we do), the Baja airport will usually (but not always) require an international health certificate signed by a vet and dated WITHIN FIVE DAYS of your entry date. That is the law. Bring the original and one copy. (They keep the copy at Loreto Airport.) U.S. vets usually charge $50-$65 for each certificate. (HINT: You can download the form from the State of California, Department of Food and Agriculture: "Certificate for Interstate or International Movement of Small Animals.")

By car we have never been asked for canine paperwork, although we always carry a certificate for each dog at all times, lest we be held for mordida. We carry a few blank forms as well, just in case... We have ALWAYS traveled by air or car with two dogs. Twice our beloved companions have saved us from being robbed—once while camped on an island when someone rowed up to steal our anchored panga in the middle of the night while we were ashore asleep in our tent. Dogs alerted us to the theft in progress, we shined a big spotlight, and the would-be robbers started their engine and took off! The other time we were camped in the dunes just south of San Quintin (many years ago when that area was still considered "safe") and one of our dogs was sleeping on the truck's tailgate. At 3 AM she leapt off the truck and ran at a guy weilding a club of some sort. He dropped the club and took off. Nothing like being on the tail-end of a barking dog in Baja!!

Bob and Susan - 9-5-2008 at 06:03 AM

better stop by...

P1030234.JPG - 27kB

DENNIS - 9-5-2008 at 06:33 AM

I've been asked for vaccination papers a few times. I've also been told by the inspector that he wouldn't know what he was looking at if he did see the papers. According to him, they tend to profile the pet. If it looks well cared for and/or has a collar with tags, they have no interest. So, tell your pooch to be on his best behavior and don't growl at the nasty man with the gun.

David K - 9-5-2008 at 08:33 AM

Be concerned if some locals begin to wrap bacon around your dog! :light:

woody with a view - 9-5-2008 at 08:50 AM

Quote:

Be concerned if some locals begin to wrap bacon around your dog! :light:

funny chiite!!!!!

BTW, my buddy Milt was camped out alone in the boonies and a small dog wandered up out of the desert. Milt fed him for 2 days and when it was time to move on he adopted the dog and brought it back to OB. there is now a sign on Milt's gate, "Bad Dog Inside". the dog is gone now however, and so is Milt......

RIP Buddy!!!! :saint:

[Edited on 9-5-2008 by woody in ob]

Don Alley - 9-5-2008 at 09:41 AM

Rabies vaccinations... vets require them every three years, but the US Border guys want one within the last year, so consider that if you want to be "current" on Fido's vaccinations. We've never been checked by anyone. Yet. Once when entering the US the agent asked our dog, directly, if he was a US citizen. He barked, and the customs agent took it as a "Yes" and waved us through. Thank goodness he didn't understand what the dog really meant. :biggrin:

bajaboolie - 9-5-2008 at 10:25 AM

Bob & Susan, we'll be sure to swing by your place. Last year we stopped at the closed gate, and I remember you writing that it's ok to come on in, so will do! Looks like our dogs will have plenty to talk about.

Marla, thanks for the additional info about flying down...we'll be driving, and it looks a lot less complicated...I'd rather spend my time packing for the trip than at the vets office. And yes, we'll feel much safer having a dog. She may be small, but her barking can pack a punch.

bajaboolie - 9-5-2008 at 10:29 AM

Anyone know if dogs are tolerated in restaurants? (on leash)

The one place we frequent in Mulege had a dog wander in and lay at our feet, and they didn't seem to care once we told them we didn't care. But how about other places in general? What do you all do with your dogs when you want to go to a restaurant or shops?

bajaguy - 9-5-2008 at 10:34 AM

I would suggest that you get a couple of dog tags made with a Mexican contact number/location on them, and also take a couple of really good photos of your dog and put the photos on a USB stick or a DVD.....may come in handy if the pooch wanders off and you have to make posters.

All good responses on needed paperwork. Make two copies, keep one with the "dog stuff" and one copy with your personal documents.

DENNIS - 9-5-2008 at 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaboolie
Anyone know if dogs are tolerated in restaurants? (on leash)

Depends on the restaurant. I would venture a guess that most wont, especially with a dinner crowd. If I wasn't a dog owner, I wouldn't have any trouble understanding that, having been in restaurant business for years.

Bob and Susan - 9-5-2008 at 10:41 AM

check with the airlines about the dog to mexico

it MAY be a problem

i really dont think you can fly them in

you have to drive them across

BajaGeoff - 9-5-2008 at 12:21 PM

Great one David K! I almost shot coffee out of my nose!

I just took Fletch down with me over the long weekend and he had an absolute blast. What you need to do is request an "International Health Certificate" from your vet - mine cost $30 and is good for a year. It basically states that your dog is current on all vaccinations and is in good health. I have never been asked for mine at the border, or while in Baja, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Here is a little video of Fletch, Sula and Mac tearing it up in La Mision.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhiXi8iGnaM

[Edited on 9-5-2008 by BajaGeoff]

DianaT - 9-5-2008 at 01:19 PM

Very Important!

Besides the rabies, be sure ALL vacinations are current---lots of parvo in areas.

Also, we use Frontline on our dogs and even when they play with the local flea covered dogs, ours have no fleas and there are flea borne dog diseases around.

Also, our dogs are current with heartguard----very important.

Have a great time!

Diane

David K - 9-5-2008 at 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGeoff
Great one David K! I almost shot coffee out of my nose! ...

Here is a little video of Fletch, Sula and Mac tearing it up in La Mision.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhiXi8iGnaM

Geoff, we want to see a You Tube of YOU doing 'that'!!! :lol:

[Edited on 9-5-2008 by David K]

BajaGeoff - 9-8-2008 at 05:00 PM

Hehe. I will work on that David!

Udo - 9-8-2008 at 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGeoff
Great one David K! I almost shot coffee out of my nose!

I just took Fletch down with me over the long weekend and he had an absolute blast. What you need to do is request an "International Health Certificate" from your vet - mine cost $30 and is good for a year. It basically states that your dog is current on all vaccinations and is in good health. I have never been asked for mine at the border, or while in Baja, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Here is a little video of Fletch, Sula and Mac tearing it up in La Mision.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhiXi8iGnaM

Quote:

Hola BajaGeoff!
I thing I know where your house is in La Mision. We walk right by it every time we stay at La Fonda, and we will be there this Friday-Sunday celebrating our anniversary. Perhaps we can do a couple of beers?
Udo

Quote:

[Edited on 9-5-2008 by BajaGeoff]

Udo - 9-8-2008 at 05:22 PM

Quote:

Forgot to tell you...love your dogs!

[Edited on 9-5-2008 by BajaGeoff]

BajaGeoff - 9-9-2008 at 09:47 AM

I wish it was my house and I wish I was going to be there this weekend! We were only renting the lower section for the Labor Day holiday! Vinnie and Trish live in the house upstairs and use the bottom section for guests and rentals. I am sure they would love to have a few beers with you though!