BajaNomad

Travel restrictions for pets?

Bajajorge - 8-26-2012 at 08:40 AM

On another Baja forum I have just read that entering Mexico with a pet you need a Form 77-043 signed by a veterinarian.

Is this some new thing, or are they just going to start intermitently enforcing the existing rules. The last time I was asked for my dogs papers when crossing south(some 4 years ago) I showed his County Dog License and Rabies shot card. This was the only time in 15 years that Mexican authorities asked for animal paperwork.

Any new info would be appreciated as I'm headed south for the winter in about a month or so.:?:

dtutko1 - 8-26-2012 at 09:08 AM

We have been bringing "Rusty" to Baja every winter for 10 years. Every year we get the health cert from our Vet. We have never been asked for any papers for the dog. I understand that the papers are required if you transport the animal by airlines in or out of Mexico.

RnR - 8-26-2012 at 10:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtutko1
We have been bringing "Rusty" to Baja every winter for 10 years. Every year we get the health cert from our Vet. We have never been asked for any papers for the dog. I understand that the papers are required if you transport the animal by airlines in or out of Mexico.


The rule (and the form) have always been on the books and never enforced.

Have crossed with dogs (by land) for 18 years and have NEVER been asked for any kind of papers, going in either direction! Finally stopped getting the vet certificate (@ $60/ animal x 2 or 3 dogs) about ten years ago.

By air, the Cabo airport has been really strict about the vet certificate and current rabies vaccination. And, your three year rabies certificate from the US is not honored by Mexico. Mexico only recognizes a ONE year duration on a rabies vaccination. Have had friends held at the Cabo airport until a Mexican veterinarian could come to the airport and re-vaccinate their dog!

Ken Cooke - 8-26-2012 at 11:19 AM

In June of this year, I took my Chihuahua 'Frida' to a vet in Tijuana for emergency care.

Emergency Trip To Tijuana

I hand-carried her inside of her Petainer Carrier, and neither going into Mexico, nor returning from Mexico was I asked for any certification. I was prepared, and always will be ready to show her recent shot record and vaccinations against Rabies.

Good luck!

Nemo55 - 8-26-2012 at 11:20 AM

The Bird Flu Crisis, and the Egg shortages are pushing all of this right to the forefront now.

pets and frontera

captkw - 8-26-2012 at 06:08 PM

HOLa,,I have to agree with R&R on this as thats what I have seen myself....since 79 have never been asked for papers..but that can change....................K&T:cool: ps/edit..the only papers I have on her in that regard are from baja !!!

[Edited on 8-27-2012 by captkw]

DENNIS - 8-26-2012 at 06:19 PM

Again....it's not what hasn't happened to you at the gates, it's what can happen.
Be prepared.

Jack Swords - 8-26-2012 at 06:58 PM

Dennis is right on. For many years we never needed our car insurance, never were asked for it. One day, an accident, and we were covered. We pay $8 USD in La Paz for the health certificate for our dog when we return to the US. I can't imagine driving for 8-10 hours, waiting at the border, and being turned around or waiting for a vet to get the certificate. Our US vet charges around $35, but writes in "free from exterior and internal parasites" as required by some airlines in BCS. We were asked in Guaymas when we flew our dog there from La Paz (not in La Paz where the flight originated). Sure glad we had the papers. The health certificate was requested once at the checkpoint outside of La Paz. Don't need the hassles that can be prevented for a minimal cost.

Bob H - 8-27-2012 at 06:44 AM

It's sad... tourism is bad enough in Baja without worrying about paperwork for your pets. More of this crappola makes it even worse. I don't like it. We have never obtained any special paperwork for our dog, just the shot record and have never been asked for it.

[Edited on 8-27-2012 by Bob H]

Bajatripper - 9-1-2012 at 08:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtutko1
We have been bringing "Rusty" to Baja every winter for 10 years. Every year we get the health cert from our Vet. We have never been asked for any papers for the dog. I understand that the papers are required if you transport the animal by airlines in or out of Mexico.


I have come to the conclusion that US officials profile when it comes to people crossing the border with pets.

Most of my sister's social contacts where she lives are from the Latino immigrant community and when I was planning to bring my dog across the border she told me I had better have all of the proper paperwork or they wouldn't let my dog through. Yet, on this board the general consensus has been that papers are seldom--if ever--asked for.

While I got the proper vet's certification for my dog, I was not asked for anything when we crossed the border earlier this summer. My Mexican compadre who lives in Washington State was asked for his dog's papers when they crossed the border earlier this year.

So I'm guessing that the INS has figured out that if you look like an American you'll most likely have papers but if you look Mexican you may or may not have the proper papers.

bajatripper

captkw - 9-1-2012 at 09:08 PM

HOLA,you might be right on this !! folk's always ask me about crossing the border with my girls (dogs) and I have never have been asked for paper work ( good karma?) except at the "nic" border 16 years ago.. Im not big on surveys,, but if it concerns dogs any thing is fair game to protect,take care of,transporting..yady.yady.yady K&T:cool:

dog papers at chk point

captkw - 9-2-2012 at 07:16 AM

Quote:
The health certificate was requested once at the checkpoint outside of La Paz. Don't need the hassles that can be prevented for a minimal cost.
....HOLA...NOT to be rude.."but is your spanish, up to date?".......I cant ever say I have heard of a mil. ckeck point asking for dog paper's (pupell de perro) is there a chance that you misunderstood the guy ???? The ck/pt outside of la paz is for AG..fruits and veggies.... K&T:cool:

Pescador - 9-2-2012 at 07:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
It's sad... tourism is bad enough in Baja without worrying about paperwork for your pets. More of this crappola makes it even worse. I don't like it. We have never obtained any special paperwork for our dog, just the shot record and have never been asked for it.

[Edited on 8-27-2012 by Bob H]


When I walk the streets in Baja Mexico I am always struck by the condition and appearance of all the street dogs that I see. I have often thought that if one actually believed in Reincarnation, the worst thing that could happen to you would be to come back as a Mexican Dog. They literally have almost every malady and disease known to modern Vetinarian Medicine.

Now, I suspect, that this is some kind of family line of purity and for sure we don't want any of those "clean american dogs" screwing up the bloodlines.

baja dogs

captkw - 9-2-2012 at 07:43 AM

If you saw my "baja purebred" you would have another take on the situation !!! every single day folks take her pic and say " she's Sooo pretty, what breed is she??" and I can tell you 20 years ago the dog proplem was a lot worse in B.C.S they have had to poisen dogs..sad but true....K&T:cool:

[Edited on 9-2-2012 by captkw]