BajaNomad

crossing south with a dog???

gnukid - 9-22-2010 at 08:33 PM

I have a friend crossing south with a dog, he is wondering what paperwork is required and what experience have people had recently heading south at Tecate, otay or TJ?

[Edited on 9-23-2010 by gnukid]

bajaguy - 9-22-2010 at 09:01 PM

Gnu........crossed at SY and Otay southbound, never had any problems or asked for paperwork. I believe that you are "supposed/required" to have an International Health Certificate. I think that they are too busy at those crossings to play "dog police"

Crossing N/B at Otay, US Customs never asked for paperwork, but always carry a printout of shot records from our vet.

skipowell - 9-22-2010 at 09:05 PM

technically you are suppose to have proof of rabies shot and certification of good health form from vet. But.. I recently crossed the border in the Sentri lane were we are responsible to know what we have to have and I did not have any paper work as we usually we travel in my husband's car and I had driven my own car down as he was already there.Bottom line first time ever I was asked for paperwork, did not have and was just warned to be sure to carry it in the future. We have crossed over 40 times a year for 3 years and have never been asked prior. I still think the agent just liked my dog and wanted a reason to stall to look at my beautiful lab (do i sound like a ridiculous dog person!)
if you dog looks healthy and has current tags I thing you will be fine!

toneart - 9-22-2010 at 09:52 PM

International Health Certificate from a vet within issued within 72 hours, both directions. Last year, there was a long string here saying that in addition, Mexico requires the results of a fecal parasite test.

I always get it, just in case. I have never been asked for it. I err on the side of caution because I would never want my dog confiscated or quarantined...or worse!

gnukid - 9-22-2010 at 09:55 PM

Thanks for the info:

So far I understand the pooch needs: certificate of health with parasite check and rabbies shot.

[Edited on 9-23-2010 by gnukid]

Seccion Consulado de Mexico

windgrrl - 9-23-2010 at 07:57 AM

Entry and exit regs. are different for air travel and ground travel. Entry by air seems to be more thorough.

nullhttp://portal.sre.gob.mx/conreinounido/index.php?option=disp...

It's also worthwhile checking the government re-entry regulations & procedures for your home country, e.g. for Canada: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/imp/petani/petanie...

We also took our dog to the vet for a consultation re: travelling to Mexico and have a place for her documentation for meds and vaccinations.

Cheers,
w

Sunman - 9-23-2010 at 08:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid

So far I understand the pooch needs: certificate of health with parasite check and rabbies shot.

[Edited on 9-23-2010 by gnukid]



Correct. I have been thru SY quite a bit this year and get stopped in secondary everytime (southbound) due to having a camper, never had any questions about the dog (in either direction).

Travelling with pets: USDA

windgrrl - 9-23-2010 at 08:13 AM

http://tinyurl.com/3xh3g7g

bajabass - 9-23-2010 at 09:43 AM

I have taken my collie back and forth 30 times or more in the last year or so. I have been asked once for papers, re-entering only. In secondary twice, never asked on the way in. The Mexican and U.S. customs, and the Marines all just want to pet him!!!:biggrin:

mcfez - 9-23-2010 at 12:37 PM

We have 5 Aussie Shepperds.....one or two at times goes with us for "their" vacation. We have never got an International Health Certificate. Been going to Baja/Mexico for 25+ years.

If the dog (s) are friendly....so will be the officer.

Do leash the dog though while in town or on a beach...there are stray dogs that may want to run off with yours......yeah....I spent a few hours looking for sparky once upon a time :mad:

[Edited on 9-23-2010 by mcfez]

DENNIS - 9-23-2010 at 12:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
We have 5 Aussie Shepperds.....one or two at times goes with us for "their" vacation.



I think they have a maximum of three going south, for your future reference.

Jack Swords - 9-23-2010 at 12:55 PM

The health certificate is required, may never be asked for it. But, if admittance either way depends upon the prevailing officer, then we feel it is better to have it in our possession than have to go back and find a vet. We have been asked twice, once by air, once driving down. Again, in Mexico interpretations depend on the person you are talking to. Our vet in La Paz charges $8 for the certificate.

We have, however, run into the prohibition on bringing dog food back to the states. There is a thread out there on this forum about this.

bajabass - 9-23-2010 at 01:30 PM

Good point Jack! I live close enough to go to La Mision every weekend, so I only take a 3 day supply. I read they frown on bringing any back. I need that vet's name in La Paz. I will be there soon! The dog and I will both be much happier!!!
:spingrin:

mcfez - 9-23-2010 at 01:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
We have 5 Aussie Shepperds.....one or two at times goes with us for "their" vacation.



I think they have a maximum of three going south, for your future reference.


Oh..thanks Dennis! Didn't know that. Thanks to folks like you...make my Baja traveling days better and safer.

Any limits on the number of wifes I can take down there
;D

nbacc - 9-23-2010 at 02:05 PM

Never been asked for the paperwork for the dog but we don't come back with any dog food (first stop is the grocery store) as we have several friends who have had their (unopened, canned and in the bag) taken away from them. Hummmmmmmmmmmm wonder where that went!

DENNIS - 9-23-2010 at 02:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Any limits on the number of wifes I can take down there
;D



If your destination is one of those Mormon enclaves down here, no more than forty five. It's just another example of big government restriction. :lol:

Woooosh - 9-23-2010 at 02:17 PM

I have six labs and a few of them like car rides.;) We have never been hassled going into Mexico. Only one time have we been questioned northbound and sent to secondary. That was a day the animal shelter was doing a spot check of everyone headed north with dogs- we showed just their current shot records and that was it. They only cared about Rabies.

We don't take the dogs north with us much anymore. People gave us grief for leaving them in the car while we would go into a store. We would park in shade, leave the windows partially down and a full bowl of water visible- but even so twice we had people lecture us and threaten to call the police. One of our dogs at the time was blind- so we understand him looking a little funny with those white eyes... which maybe they interpreted as distress. We know the dangers of a hot car and dogs and would never endanger "the kids" like that. So we just don' t do it unless one of us is going to stay with the dogs the whole time. I think you could lock your real kids in a hot car in Mexico and all they would do is try to sell them ice cream.

[Edited on 9-23-2010 by Woooosh]

Jack Swords - 9-23-2010 at 03:52 PM

Our Vet in La Paz is Dr. Tomás Rodriguez V. His wife Dra. Hilda Elizondo H. is also a vet. Dr. Tomás speaks English. Their old address was Madero 2340, but they moved nearby and I don't have the new address. There might be some business cards in the Club Cruceros clubhouse or Ch. 22 VHF (Dr. Tomás answers on the radio). Tel. 122-5662.
He has been our vet in La Paz for the past 12 years.

Trueheart - 9-23-2010 at 04:19 PM

Many times crossing, always with our pets. Never been asked for any paperwork yet, either direction, and my pets have been noticed many times. I carry the paperwork for our lab and cat anyway, just in case. I keep them up to date on all their shots, however I don't like to incur the cost of an actual vet appt. and vet issued certificate immediately before each time I cross. So, I get "creative". The blank forms are available on line. You can connect the dots from there. Mexican authorities love paperwork, particularly with official looking "stamps" and "seals".

DENNIS - 9-23-2010 at 04:24 PM

You just have to be prepared for the worst situation imaginable. I've been asked for my dogs records more than once so I have them in my hand when I hit the gate.

I like that idea about getting the blank forms on line. Do you have a link, Trueheart?

Trueheart - 9-23-2010 at 04:37 PM

Si Dennis. Try this.

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Ahfss/Animal_Health/pdfs/SmallAnimalC...

DENNIS - 9-23-2010 at 05:04 PM

Thanks. It doesn't seem to link properly, but that's alright. It just occured to me that I can alter the Health Cert I already have.

Thanks again.

Paula - 9-23-2010 at 08:32 PM

We carry papers for Fillmore, have never been asked going south, although we do stop at secondary to declare some things we bring in.

Going north the guys at the window usually ask if f. is a US citizen. He is, and they take us at our word.

Trueheart - 9-24-2010 at 03:44 AM

Dennis:

You are right about it not linking correctly. I used it successfully earlier this year, but the site must have moved some info around. When I get some time, I'll look into it, find it, and let you know when I do. Steve

Leo - 9-25-2010 at 04:55 PM

same experience as many others; never been asked for papers or anything crossing the border by car. By air is adifferent matter and better have your papers in order. Certificates no older then 5 days before travel.

Bajajorge - 9-26-2010 at 08:33 AM

I've crossed numerous times at Calexico East. I've only been asked once for my dog's shot papers and license.