BajaNomad

Dog at Boarder Crossing

fixtrauma - 11-18-2008 at 12:57 PM

We are driving from Oregon to La Paz in January. This is the first time with our dog along. What experiences have you had at the boarder crossing either direction regarding papers etc for the dog. I get conflicting information from Vets and from governmental web sites.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Don

Woooosh - 11-18-2008 at 01:10 PM

Southbound nothing is needed. Northbound they need a valid rabies certificate from the USA to re-enter.

[Edited on 11-18-2008 by Woooosh]

BajaGeoff - 11-18-2008 at 01:16 PM

Hello Don,

I have never had problems crossing the border in either direction with my dog. Make sure your pooch has up to date shots, and get an international health certificate from your vet. The international health certificate is most relevant for getting your dog back into the US, and will help if the border agent questions you about where the dog came from. Last trip I got my certificate for $12, and I have never been asked to show it.



[Edited on 11-18-2008 by BajaGeoff]

capt. mike - 11-18-2008 at 01:19 PM

BS - this is what happened to a guy in Loreto:

I have landed in Loreto many times with my dog(s) and never had a problem except I always wind up feeling like a rat in a maze. This past Monday after going through the whole 45 minute rite of passage a new civic functionary (something to do with the health department) shows up and demands to see my vet health certificate. Well I had one for each dog dated October 20. The original had been torn off but the two copies were still attached. The scam artist said he would not accept the copies - took my general declaration and the copies and huffed and puffed out the door. I went to the Commondante and complained but to no avail. After 20 minutes he returned and said he would accept the copies but since they were dated October 20 they were out of date - they need to be dated within 5 days of arrival. Duh, what if you get delayed. Then he marches me off to his office and attempts to make numerous telephone calls (like I'm going to jail) but no one seems to answer. Then he marches me to the the airplane and demands to see the dog food - no dog food allowed (si una problema grande he said). Then he marches me back to the office and another unanswered phone call. I told him I needed to leave in my good Spanish so tell me how much....$15 US to the pig. This is the last time I will land in Loreto - next time its San Felipe.

several others have said that a permit from the vet that says the animal is OK healthwise is in fact required to bring your dog legally into mexico. and the permit or form letter has to be like within a week of the crossing.
i think it just isn't as enforced when you are in a ground vehicle.

Bob H - 11-18-2008 at 01:45 PM

Wow, Mike, that was terrible. We've been in Baja so many times with our dog and never, ever, have we had anyone ask us for a certificate. And, what in the world are they thinking - within five days? What? That's WACK!
And, no dog food, WHAT? Double WACK!
Bob H

Diver - 11-18-2008 at 02:09 PM

In over 100 crossings with either 1 or 2 yellow labs, we have never been asked for any paperwork or been questioned about our dogs.

If you go to secondary when returning to the US, let them know there is a dog in the car if it is not visible; ours ride in the back of the pick-up. Their "sniff" dogs will often alert to your dogs.

2 years ago when I went through Tecate on my return trip, they brought out their dog who promtly sat down near my truck. As they asked me to drop my cigar - the arrest was coming - I said, "do you want me to take my dogs out from the back of the truck ?" At which time they all relaxed and said, "Oh, then we can't use our dog." :biggrin:

[Edited on 11-18-2008 by Diver]

fixtrauma - 11-18-2008 at 02:27 PM

I am very thankful for each of your responses and will continue to monitor for more postings..........Thanks

Timo1 - 11-18-2008 at 02:41 PM

we're from Canada and have never been asked for the papers for the dog....in either direction...many times....but of course we had it along just in case

Woooosh - 11-18-2008 at 02:51 PM

Travel by air is very different- as you go through the more formal (and apparently more deceptive) customs inspections.

Even for travel within the USA by commerical air you need a CURRENT health certificate for your dog- I think dated within 24 hours of your flight departure. I've never been asked for one driving across. The only thing I've been asked with my dogs at Mexico secondary is if they bite. I think they confisacte the biters for their dogfights after shift. The concern of northbound US custom is more for puppy-mills who bring sick and dying dogs over the USA (or sell them at the border). So long as your dog is not a young puppy, is friendly and looks happy, clean and card for- you're good.

The dog food thing is true, but I've never carried open dog food either way on my day trips driving across- just water.

[Edited on 11-18-2008 by Woooosh]

FIX

bajaguy - 11-18-2008 at 03:30 PM

Check your u2u

bajaboolie - 11-18-2008 at 04:04 PM

Same as everyone else...no problems getting back into US. We had a certificate from her vet. We also printed out the rules from the government website in case there was any confusion or they told us something different than is on the official website.

I would find the information on the govt website (whether flying or driving) for both entering US and Mexico (I didn't bother to look for rules entering Mexico b/c we drove). Print out a copy of it, including the exact web address just in case you get someone who wants to cause trouble and starts making up rules. Cover your bases.

On the plus side, entering the US, our dog was so quiet and it was dark...he didn't even know we had a dog with us.

Health Certificate

MrBillM - 11-18-2008 at 04:16 PM

Like many others I've been taking my dogs across the border for about Thirty years. Back in the 70s, I would get the International Health certificate from the vet for my Two dogs.

NEVER asked for it. After many such trips, I was asked once if they had their rabies shots. Along with their shot records, I handed the Customs official the certificates. Puzzled, he looked at them and said "What are these ?" When I explained, he said all that he wanted to see was a rabies shot verification.

Yes, it is the law. No, I haven't seen or heard of it being enforced on land travel and I haven't gotten one in about 28 years now. In hundreds of trips with Dogs ALWAYS with me, I've been asked for the Rabies papers perhaps a dozen times.

Never was asked by either side.

beercan - 11-18-2008 at 04:58 PM

Of course no Uniform could get close to our vehicle . I spent more time trying to hold our Roxy and explaining that yes she will "get you".

No one wants to believe me --

beercan - 11-18-2008 at 05:02 PM

Mike, I posted both on BBP and here that they will SCREW you one way or other at loreto. I don't go there anymore. Pass the word along at BBP and see how quick you get torched !!
Quote:
By Mike
$15 US to the pig. This is the last time I will land in Loreto - next time its San Felipe.

capt. mike - 11-18-2008 at 05:27 PM

i agree Bob - i have had my share of "stuff" at Loreto and generally avoid that place. but - ever once in a while i have to drop in for gas, the last few times it has been ok. but you never know. I believe Landeros Sr. Mario is a good guy.

Now - lets talk about the new CBP rules those basturos passed.....have you read it? i am livid!!!!!!! effing bureaucrats!!!
Chartoff can pi** off!!!!!!!!!

still i'd rather fly than drive...:light:

Yep, just got it in from my Flying Sams coordinator

beercan - 11-18-2008 at 07:30 PM

Typical gummint over kill and will cause more problems then it will ever cure !
For me , at least I have satellite internet and telephone, so It will just be more paperwork and crap to have to "submit".

To have to seek permission to even leave the country just because I am flying a private plane is beyond me.

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1226943980107.shtm

CortezBlue - 11-18-2008 at 09:49 PM

We have traveled between Phx and San Felipe many times with our dog without any questions going either direction. In fact at the Military crossing I think we get through faster, they dont seem to like peros.

I crossed at Los Algadones and the US border lady almost sharted when she opened the back door to see our dog.

greybaby - 11-18-2008 at 10:04 PM

Now if you really want a challenge, try crossing back into the US with your pet parrot. First time landed us in secondary for four hours. And then we were turned back. Now my parrot has a "pet passport" and it has to be stamped to get her into Mexico and back into the US, as well as all the health certificate "stuff" for the USDA. Needless to say, my parrot stays with a sitter when we go South these days.

Hook - 11-18-2008 at 11:13 PM

Been asked the last two time at Nogales, AZ; a total of 3 times now, in the last 3 years.

LOSARIPES - 11-19-2008 at 03:41 AM

Capt. Mike,
Having to bribe an officer should be a thing of the past. Unfortunately, there are some of those who will abuse their position and force one into such an embarrassing situation. -Been there, done that-
Anonymous reporting is encouraged by Mexican authorities and the phone number is 089 (I am 75% sure of that....sorry)
Also, there is the e-mail option:
enlinea@elsudcaliforniano.com.mx This is the most popular newspaper in BCS
contactodirecto@radioformula.com.mx Radio news and comments.
el_peninsular@prodigy.net.mx. another newspaper with great coverage in BCS.

The key is to get names and specifics. They do follow-up in most cases.

capt. mike - 11-19-2008 at 08:14 AM

thx Los Aripes, that's good info, i will pass it on to my pilot buddies!

Beercan - get this - here's a country you used to ahve to ask permission to leave like CBP is making us do now.....the GD Soviet Union!!
that is where USA is headed.....we have to ask pwermission to leave cause we enjoy the "freedom" (ha!) of flight.....how muther F*&^%$g ironic is that.??
my blood boils at all this. i have ranted at BBP. many agree except some sheeple who will just say....baaaaaa...

Bwana_John - 11-19-2008 at 09:32 AM

I got sent to Secondary Inspection crossing into the US last month at Mexicalli East because the Customs & Imigration copchick Officer at the border was afraid of my two Labs in the back of the truck.
The guy in secondary just looked at the referal slip on the widshield, shook his head and waved us the rest of the way thru.

Mexican Millitary checkpoints do seem to go faster with the dogs.

We used to get a Vets International Cirtificate of Health to reenter the US but havent got one in about 15 years and 40 crossings.

capt. mike - 11-19-2008 at 11:22 AM

Anonymous reporting is encouraged by Mexican authorities and the phone number is 089 (I am 75% sure of that....sorry)


is there a complete phone number?? what is 089? like 911??

How bout this ??

beercan - 11-19-2008 at 12:03 PM

Who and how is this gonna be done ????

I know ....I will train and certify a dog !!!!!!!!!!
Quote:
from CHB???
The rule will take effect on Dec. 18, and pilots will be required to comply with the new regulations starting May 18, AOPA said. DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff said on Monday that GA pilots can also expect further rulemaking that will require GA flights to be screened and scanned for radioactive material at an airport outside the U.S. Although such screening is now required upon landing in the U.S., doing it on departure instead will prevent an attacker from flying a bomb into the country and detonating it in the air, Chertoff said.