BajaNomad

Animal Health Certificate Requirements. (Not Flying)

henshaw - 8-31-2011 at 11:12 AM

We are planning on taking our family dog into Baja again this year but it seems that the regulations have changed or at least have become more confusing. My question is; Has anyone ever been asked for animal health certificate while driving into or out of or while in Baja? If so what were the circumstances?

http://www.mexperience.com/living/bringing-pets-to-mexico.php

Mulegena - 8-31-2011 at 11:28 AM

Very, very comprehensive. Scroll through it.

Enjoy your visit, all a' ya'all !!

bajasammy - 8-31-2011 at 11:31 AM

We've only been asked about it one time, and the Rabies Certificate we had worked.

DENNIS - 8-31-2011 at 11:39 AM

These are questions you could hear returning to the states. I've been asked for it all going out, but nothing coming into Mexico. That doesn't mean they won't ask you. Just be prepared with the current shot record and a health certificate from your vet.

Also...you can't return to the states with dog food, regardless of where you got it.

DENNIS - 8-31-2011 at 11:42 AM

This is a good opportunity to ask a question.....Dog Food. I'm assuming that the prohibition is for bagged food only and doesn't apply to cans.
Anyone have info to the contrary? Nothing will surprise me.

J.P. - 8-31-2011 at 11:42 AM

I live in Ensenada full time, we take our dogs back and forth across the border both ways and Always have our papers in order. but we have never been asked for them.
Having said that we keep all our shots and checkups current its just too easy to keep your records current.
you never know when or if the border people will ask for them. and if they ask and you dont have the necessary papers "Why run the risk of runining your trip"???????????:?::?:

USDA-APHIS Guidelines

windgrrl - 8-31-2011 at 12:40 PM

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/pet_travel/pet_trav...

goldhuntress - 8-31-2011 at 12:49 PM

According to the US Customs and Border Protection importation of cats and dogs is regulated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Bringing a Dog into the United States
A general certificate of health is not required by CDC for entry of pet dogs into the United States, although some airlines or states may require them. However, pet dogs are subject to inspection at ports of entry and may be denied entry into the United States if they have evidence of an infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans. If a dog appears to be ill, further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense might be required at the port of entry.
Dogs must have a certificate showing they have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry into the United States. These requirements apply equally to service animals such as Seeing Eye dogs.


http://www.cdc.gov/animalimportation/dogs.html

Going into Mexico may require one but since I've never been asked I never get one. It costs a lot and all the times I've been back and forth with my dog it would literally have cost me a couple thousand. It's around $35 for the vet app. and $45 for the health certificate. When I do get asked going over I'll just find a vet by the border and get one. It'll be a hassle but worth the savings I've had so far.

[Edited on 8-31-2011 by goldhuntress]

Food products prepared with meat

windgrrl - 8-31-2011 at 12:55 PM

At the Tecate border crossing this spring, the sniffer dog detected dog food. We had fed our dog her last meal about 30 min. prior to crossing. I had washed out all containers beforehand. A quick check of the fridge and we were through secondary in a flash. More guidelines:

Meats, Livestock and Poultry
The regulations governing meat and meat products are stringent. You may not import fresh, dried or canned meats or meat products from most foreign countries into the United States. Also, you may not import food products that have been prepared with meat.

The regulations on importing meat and meat products change frequently because they are based on disease outbreaks in different areas of the world. APHIS, which regulates meats and meat products as well as fruits and vegetables, invites you to contact them for more information on importing meats. A list of countries and/or regions with specific livestock or poultry diseases can be found at the Animal Disease Status page.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/prohibited_r...

DENNIS - 8-31-2011 at 01:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by goldhuntress

Dogs must have a certificate showing they have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry into the United States. These requirements apply equally to service animals such as Seeing Eye dogs.





That can't be right. If you vaccinated your dog every thirty days, you would kill it. Rabies shots are given once a year.

DENNIS - 8-31-2011 at 01:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by windgrrl
The regulations governing meat and meat products are stringent. You may not import fresh, dried or canned meats or meat products from most foreign countries into the United States.


OK....So, I take that to mean NO canned dog food. Thanks.

Jack Swords - 8-31-2011 at 01:29 PM

Our vet in the US charges us $16.50 for the International Health Certificate. Our vet in La Paz charges $8.00 USD for the health certificate. To avoid the delays and hassles at the border it is well worth it. We have been asked going into Sonora, at Guaymas, and twice at the ag check point out of La Paz. I assume it is like everything else in Mexico, it depends (on the person, the day, temperature, time, etc.) As far as dog food, we have a dog that requires a prescription low-fat food. The past three years going through Tecate we state we have dog food, get sent to secondary, ag guy comes out and looks at the bag (US product) and sends us on our way. This behavior seems consistent, but we leave a stash at our home, just in case (see "depends..." above). We carry Mexican and US insurance and hope to never use it. The Health Certificate is hassle insurance, and we hope to never use it.

As an addendum, those who fly are subject to some Draconian rules about rabies shots and health certificates. You may be paying for a local vet to come to the air terminal to give rabies shots to your dog. Seems Mexico only recognizes 1 yr rabies shots, the US has 3 yr rabies shots. Have talked to some pretty unhappy folks down in Baja Sur.

goldhuntress - 8-31-2011 at 01:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by goldhuntress

Dogs must have a certificate showing they have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry into the United States. These requirements apply equally to service animals such as Seeing Eye dogs.






That can't be right. If you vaccinated your dog every thirty days, you would kill it. Rabies shots are given once a year.

Not every 30 days, just 30 days before you come over, not less. The vaccines are good for 1 to 3 years depending which one you decide to get.

windgrrl - 8-31-2011 at 01:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by windgrrl
The regulations governing meat and meat products are stringent. You may not import fresh, dried or canned meats or meat products from most foreign countries into the United States.


OK....So, I take that to mean NO canned dog food. Thanks.


Yup...and there USA produced meat products that were purchased in another country are a problem. I understand that a meat sandwich, e.g. one that is for lunch, might be okay, but who needs the hassle?

goldhuntress - 8-31-2011 at 01:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jack Swords
Our vet in the US charges us $16.50 for the International Health Certificate.

Well, that's cheap. We are in the same neighborhood and my vet is out on Hwy. 1 on the AG mesa and she charges $45. I did get one from a vet in Grover Beach about 14 years ago and it was $35. So your getting a deal!

Trueheart - 8-31-2011 at 01:40 PM

Although I have gone into and back out of Mexico at the San Ysidro crossing many times with a dog and a cat, I have never been asked to present any paperwork by anyone at any time either at the border or in Baja. That said, I am always prepared with current paperwork just in case I am asked, so I agree with JP ... you have to be prepared.

On the subject of transporting dog food back into the US ... prior to being warned by many on this site about not doing so, I did do so because I never imagined it could be an issue, but I never got caught with it nor have I ever been to secondary. There was one time though, in May 2010 when crossing into US, that customs officials noticed both my dog and cat in the truck cab, commented about them, and the dog food I was transporting was in plain sight (remaining large yellow bag of Pedigree kibble) just behind driver's seat, on top of suitcases, at eye level and the window was rolled down. The agent had to notice it ... I was at the booth for a good five minutes while a few guys checked all my stuff over cause I had a trailer with ATV's as well. Hard to imagine that bag could have been more blatant than it was. Not a word. Still, now I don't do it anymore. Thank you Nomads!

nbacc - 8-31-2011 at 02:01 PM

We carried it back and forth for years(dog good) until we talked to someone at a dinner party that told us about the hassle given to him for having bagged (unopened) dry dogfood. Now we just save ourselves the problem and give it away before we leave and buy right after crossing the border. I think it is who you see that day when you pass through. We have our dog's papers ALWAYS! Have fun. Nancy

DENNIS - 8-31-2011 at 04:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by goldhuntress
Not every 30 days, just 30 days before you come over, not less.


Sooo.....if I cross every 45 days with my dog, she needs a new Rabies Cert each time she crosses? No way. Do your homework.

DENNIS - 8-31-2011 at 04:39 PM

Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by goldhuntress
Our vet in the US charges us $16.50 for the International Health Certificate.

Well, that's cheap. We are in the same neighborhood and my vet is out on Hwy. 1 on the AG mesa and she charges $45.



That's terrible. Get a vet below the border, have that good vet treat your animal and give you all the verification you and your pet need for next to nothing.

45 bucks for a health cert from a vet you pay to mainten your Pet?
Think about it. Your vet may live on the waterfront, but do you?

I can suggest a vet, as well as others here can, that can save you millions and provide excelent care as well.

J.P. - 8-31-2011 at 05:15 PM

Dennis is right, The vet we use was trained in Mexico City and is reputer to be one of the best animal orthepedic surgeon's in the area he travels often to the US. to do surgery there. the fees they charge here are much more reasonable than the ones acrossthe border.

Udo - 8-31-2011 at 05:58 PM

Thanks for all the postings about bringing pets to Mexico.

However, I still can't find anything about bringing birds (parrots) into Mexico.
Do any of you informative members know, or have information on where to look?

jakecard - 8-31-2011 at 06:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by henshaw
We are planning on taking our family dog into Baja again this year but it seems that the regulations have changed or at least have become more confusing.



And you were hoping that a thread on Baja Nomad was going to clear away that confusion? Errr . . . yeah.

Everything you didn't want to know about bringing dog food into the U.S.A. and much, much more!

Just pack a copy of your dog's up-to-date rabies certificate and DHPP receipt and you'll be fine. If they still insist on giving you a hassle, just tell 'em some guy on the internet said so and they'll surely let you go.




Jake


Postscript : How often a rabies vaccination is required varies slightly by state. Typically, though, after the puppy shot and the one-year booster, adult dogs receive a rabies jab every three years: http://www.avma.org/advocacy/state/issues/rabies_vaccination...

windgrrl - 8-31-2011 at 07:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
Thanks for all the postings about bringing pets to Mexico.

However, I still can't find anything about bringing birds (parrots) into Mexico.
Do any of you informative members know, or have information on where to look?


I researched this matter extensively last year to see if I could travel from Canada to Baja with my love bird while my husband and dog drove down. Nomads advised that if I intended to take my bird, Gus, to Mexico, I should be prepared for him to live out his days there, but I wanted to know how it all worked.

The regulations for importing a pet bird are fairly straight forward. The logistics are not.

The first consideration is the bird's welfare while traveling. Flying direct as birdie carry-on from Canada to Mexico was the fastest and simplest and kindest way to go. Getting my little guy through the US and back via car was extremely complex and held the risk that travel could be stressful and Gus would be confiscated coming back through the US. So, the first hurdle was to clear Mexican customs at the airport. I wanted to make sure I was well-prepared to pass inspection at each point of entry. You can find the importation (entry and re-entry) details on US and Mexico customs/aduana website for importing a pet.

The Mexican Embassy in Canada and the Canadian customs folks were very helpful with helping me to comply with requirements. In Canada, re-entry just requires a period of quarantine and this could be in one's home if approved. In the US, regulations are much more stringent. So at each point of entry going both ways you need to look carefully at the regulations and see if it is worth it or better to get a birdie sitter.

A parrot needs proof of origin to prove that it has not been illegally transported. I did not have one as Gus was a gift and contacted a breeder to find out if it was possible to get one. She had experience importing birds via the US and did not recommend it. She offered to birdie sit and gregarious Gus had a grand time and made new friends. He turned out to be a wonderful little car traveler and it was all well worth it and \i am glad we did not try to get him to Mexico and back.

Bob H - 8-31-2011 at 07:07 PM

We've been bringing our dog(s) down to Baja for over 25 years and last Monday was the very first time they asked for the shot certification. It's always a good idea to have it to avoid any problems.

DENNIS - 8-31-2011 at 07:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jakecard
Postscript : How often a rabies vaccination is required varies slightly by state. Typically, though, after the puppy shot and the one-year booster, adult dogs receive a rabies jab every three years: http://www.avma.org/advocacy/state/issues/rabies_vaccination...



Geee....thanks for the clarification, Jake....as full of shyit as you are. Rabies shots that my dog get are yearly....and, returning to the US isn't a state issue. It's federal.
So....when you're all done trashing this site for its accuracy, do your homework before you run your mouth.

CortezBlue - 8-31-2011 at 07:33 PM

We travel between Phoenix and San Felipe about twice a month. I have never even been asked about our dog.

Once, at the US border an agent asked me to roll down the back window, and my dog scared the crap out of her. She said, "next time tell me you have a dog in the back!"

That was it

jakecard - 8-31-2011 at 08:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by jakecard
Postscript : How often a rabies vaccination is required varies slightly by state. Typically, though, after the puppy shot and the one-year booster, adult dogs receive a rabies jab every three years: http://www.avma.org/advocacy/state/issues/rabies_vaccination...



Geee....thanks for the clarification, Jake....as full of shyit as you are. Rabies shots that my dog get are yearly....and, returning to the US isn't a state issue. It's federal.
So....when you're all done trashing this site for its accuracy, do your homework before you run your mouth.



Ouch, now that really hurts my feelings, Denise. Please educate me, then, oh platinum one. What federal statute mandates that your dog receive a yearly rabies shot in order to gain re-entry into the U.S.? Surely you want to disabuse me of my ignorance and could have easily shared your source instead or resorting to insults?

Or is this more about establishing superiority? You are smarter than me? You can make jokes, I cannot. You can tread on me but newbies shouldn't talk back, and all that other pseudo-territorial internet forum bull chit?

Tell me, Denny, what is this really about, eh?





Jake

DENNIS - 8-31-2011 at 08:32 PM

It's not my job to educate you. I leave that to the ICE inspectors when you tell them what their parameters are.
They'll appreciate your insight.

Udo - 9-1-2011 at 05:19 PM

Thankx for the heads up, windgrrl.
I figured that once my parrot was in Baja, he was going to stay because non of my family wanted the bird after we passed away.
I know our parrot will outlive us.
I
ll just have to find someone who is willing to take him in the future.

windgrrl - 9-1-2011 at 05:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
Thankx for the heads up, windgrrl.
I figured that once my parrot was in Baja, he was going to stay because non of my family wanted the bird after we passed away.
I know our parrot will outlive us.
I
ll just have to find someone who is willing to take him in the future.


Don't forget to leave it all to your feathered friend in your will, then!

Here is an informative article on the portable parrot.
[url]hthttp://www.parrotchronicles.com/features/travelwithbirds/travelwithbirds.htmtp://[/url]

Cheers,
w