| Pages:
1
2 |
kodiak
Nomad
Posts: 106
Registered: 5-13-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
Pet shots for Mexico question
My father in law, heard that, to return from Baja Mexico....you had to get your pets vaccinated AGAIN if you have been there for more than 30 days.
Any truth to this???
|
|
|
Howard
Super Nomad
Posts: 2353
Registered: 11-13-2007
Location: Loreto/Manhattan Beach/Kona
Member Is Offline
Mood: I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
|
|
I am very familiar with this. The key question is, is the dog flying back or crossing the border in a vehicle?
|
|
|
kodiak
Nomad
Posts: 106
Registered: 5-13-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
In a vehicle
|
|
|
Howard
Super Nomad
Posts: 2353
Registered: 11-13-2007
Location: Loreto/Manhattan Beach/Kona
Member Is Offline
Mood: I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
|
|
I can speak from personal experience from the TJ or Otay Mesa crossing from Mexico into the USA. NEVER has any of us been question at all about our
dogs. We all love are dogs like our children and would never jeopardise (sic) are dogs welfare but it is no problem what so ever to bring your canine
from Mexico into the USA at the border crossings without any paperwork at all. Between myself and my friends, this has been done 100s and 100s of
times over the years and no border agent has ever said one word about them or ever asked for any paperwork.
Flying is a completely different story.
|
|
|
kodiak
Nomad
Posts: 106
Registered: 5-13-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks Howard...I had never heard of a problem....but, he wanted me to ask.
|
|
|
Marie-Rose
Senior Nomad
Posts: 894
Registered: 10-2-2003
Location: Victoria, B.C. and Todos Santos
Member Is Offline
Mood: Worried...
|
|
ditto soulpatch... we always travel with an international travel certificate. Never been asked for it driving but they always want it when we are
flying. $90 Cnd at home and free in Mexico
Remember, when in Mexico, yes may be no and no may be
maybe!
|
|
|
Marie-Rose
Senior Nomad
Posts: 894
Registered: 10-2-2003
Location: Victoria, B.C. and Todos Santos
Member Is Offline
Mood: Worried...
|
|
...oh ya, and I do believe there is some requirement that it be filled out within a few days prior to your travel date. Can't remember what that time
is??
Remember, when in Mexico, yes may be no and no may be
maybe!
|
|
|
bajaretreat
Junior Nomad
Posts: 37
Registered: 11-6-2007
Location: Chippewa Falls, WI/La Paz eventually
Member Is Offline
Mood: Baja Fever
|
|
We've only crossed the border (Mexicali) once, back in 2002, and since we had quite a few dogs with us as well as our household goods, they did ask to
see our health certificates. When I researched the date limitation prior to our trip, I found very contradicting info....some said the certificate
couldn't be more than 4 days old, some said 10 days, and the household goods broker told me over the phone they would be honored for up to a month.
Same conflicting info for flying....I find it best to call the airline I will be using and go by their policy....it is usually stated on their company
website so if someone tries to tell you differently you have ammo if needed. Some airlines give you 10 days, others are okay up to a month.
Never be afraid to do what\'s right especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society\'s punishments are small
compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.
|
|
|
DrTom
Nomad
Posts: 183
Registered: 6-17-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Marie-Rose
ditto soulpatch... we always travel with an international travel certificate. Never been asked for it driving but they always want it when we are
flying. $90 Cnd at home and free in Mexico |
Damn, i knew i needed to start charging for that! Intl health certificates are good for 10 days as on the form. The key to what you need is this, it
depends on the mode of transportation. Sometimes when you drive all they want is a rabies certificate, and sometimes they dont ask. I would get a
health certificate within 10 days of travel and get a current rabies vaccine. If your in mexico longer than 10 days, go to a local vet and get a
health certificate before you go home. Dont get the dog vaccinated again, you dont need it. By the way ask your vet to make sure theyre current on the
distemper combination with leptospirosis also.....
|
|
|
Loretana
Senior Nomad
Posts: 825
Registered: 5-19-2006
Location: Oregon/Loreto
Member Is Offline
Mood: alegre
|
|
Health Certificates
I have flown my Lab Chazz back and forth from Portland to Loreto five times in the past year (we're building a home) and we keep a 30 day current
health certificate with us.
Alaska Airlines always wants to see the paperwork which my vet here in Oregon updates for me each time we leave; in Portland as well as in Loreto.
As a professional courtesy, my Vet stamps and signs the forms (in quadruplicate!) each time we leave Oregon.
On November 1st, we came into Customs at LAX and it was the first time US Agriculture ever asked to see our certificate. It was over a month old, but
the Agent had no problem with it.
I can't imagine traveling without my buddy!! 
"If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration."
-Nikola Tesla
|
|
|
Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
|
|
Are the rules the same for cats? We are taking our cats down with us to Asuncion for our month long trip next summer.
Zac
|
|
|
DrTom
Nomad
Posts: 183
Registered: 6-17-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
In 25 yrs of being licensed in California, Washington, and British Columbia and also co-owning a practice in mexico, I have seen every combination
imaginable needed to cross a border (can/us, can/mex, cal/mex and vice versa) depending on the mode of transport.. The bottom line it is up to the
customs/usda/aphis/food and ag person/policy at the time. If you have a current health certificate (there's a time limit on the form) and current
rabies certificate (rabies vaccine's are current from anywhere from 1 yr to 3 yr) you'll be good to go. So I have current health certs and vaccine
certificates with me for my pets when i travel.
There can be exceptions for cats (see http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/Cats_Dogs.html) but get the health cert and current rabies anyway, unless you want to do a policy
search at the border (which you do not).
This all became more complicated after 9/11 and concomittant concerns re bioterrorism.
|
|
|
MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
|
|
Thirty-Eight + years of Dog Travel
I first brought one of my dogs with me to Baja in 1969 and have made hundreds of trips by Auto. After the first couple of trips where I purchased the
International Health Certificate, I was told by Mexican Customs, they weren't interested and ONLY wanted to see the Rabies Certificate. ASKING the
U.S. officials, they also said their only concern was that the Rabies Certificate was up to date.
Since that time, I have never been challenged by officials on EITHER side for further documentation.
|
|
|
toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
|
|
Kodiak,
Everybody has an opinion. Not everybody is right. Dr. Tom is giving you the responsible advice. Don't take chances with you pet. While it is true that
most of the time you will not be asked, the law says you must have the proper papers and proof of vaccines. Sometimes they do ask for them.
I always take my dog with me. I drive back and forth. I always get an International Health Certificate from my vet within 10 days of crossing the
border. It states all the vaccines and the vet's statement, "Healthy for Travel". I also carry the dog's up-to-date Rabies certificate. The Rabies
Certificate is the main concern of border inspectors, on both sides of the border....and for good reason!
I had never been asked in all the years, until a female border patrol agent got p*ssed at me for being in the wrong lane with my trailer. She was very
unpleasant and sent me to secondary just to have my dog papers inspected. By the way, the inspector never even looked at them.  I am convinced that they could quarantine the dog if they didn't like you for any
reason. It is best to always be prepared and comply. Your dog may not survive the quarantine, not to mention the inconvenience and unhappiness this
could cause you and the dog. 
|
|
|
Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
|
|
My son has been asked several times to show "papers" for his German Shepard by the USA officials upon returning to the USA, at Mexicali, Tecate, and
TJ.
It DOES happen. (but his Toyota FJ-40 looks like a refugee from a junk yard---)
barry
|
|
|
oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
Member Is Offline
|
|
I keep copies of the US Customs, CDC, and CA "Cat Importation" webpages (along with the associated URL's of the policies) in with our cats' Rabies
certificates in case an agent needs to brush up their rules.
Dr Tom-
I was under the impression that an "International Health Certificate" for an animal could only be completed by a specially designated veterinarian and
had to have a State stamp on it also. Are there different types of International Health Certificates?
Can our cat vet write up something that says they're in good shape and up to date on their shots?
|
|
|
DrTom
Nomad
Posts: 183
Registered: 6-17-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by oladulce
I keep copies of the US Customs, CDC, and CA "Cat Importation" webpages (along with the associated URL's of the policies) in with our cats' Rabies
certificates in case an agent needs to brush up their rules.
Dr Tom-
I was under the impression that an "International Health Certificate" for an animal could only be completed by a specially designated veterinarian and
had to have a State stamp on it also. Are there different types of International Health Certificates?
Can our cat vet write up something that says they're in good shape and up to date on their shots? |
Depends on the state/province and country. In california we had to take another test to be "accredited" to sign health certificates (25yrs ago). In
British Columbia we didnt (7 yrs ago) have to. You should be able to get a vaccine certificate if your cats are current on vaccines and get a health
certificate from your vet.
|
|
|
oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thank you Dr Tom
|
|
|
Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
|
|
My favorite answer was Howard's, who stated that he was very familiar with this topic...........and then revealed he has never been asked at the
border for anything! Makes me wonder where he gained all this familiarity........the internet? 
I get the intl certificate for my dog. Very nominal charge from my vet (like five bucks, no office visit charge).
And, yes, I got asked for it for my pure bred yellow Lab. At the Nogales checkpoint by US Customs agents.
|
|
|
ncampion
Super Nomad
Posts: 1238
Registered: 4-15-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retired and Loving it
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
My favorite answer was Howard's, who stated that he was very familiar with this topic........... |
Howard didn't say that he was very familiar with the topic, he just said that in his personal experience he has never been asked. I can say that in
30 years of crossing the boarder, both Baja and Mainland, we have never been asked for a health certificate for our dog(s). We do carry a rabies
certificate just in case. It goes to show that nothing is certian in Mexico, everyone has different experiences, the key is to always be as prepared
as possible and stay flexible.
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
