What do I need to know about pet shipping to Mexico, pet travel to Mexico and pet transport to Mexico?
Mitch Keenan - Mexico International Real Estate
If you are going to ship a pet to Mexico, you have to check with the airline that you are going to use relative to their policies and requirements. Different airlines may have different policies and requirements for shipping animals into a foreign country. In addition to other requirements, policies change depending on the season. For instance, if it is extremely hot or extremely cold, they may not allow animals to fly because often times the animals are...
If you are going to ship a pet to Mexico, you have to check with the airline that you are going to use relative to their policies and requirements. Different airlines may have different policies and requirements for shipping animals into a foreign country. In addition to other requirements, policies change depending on the season. For instance, if it is extremely hot or extremely cold, they may not allow animals to fly because often times the animals are going to be on the tarmac when you have to change aircraft, if they have to move them, or even prior to loading.
You really have to check with the airlines so that you know exactly what is required for you to fly your pet to Mexico. They are also going to tell you what paperwork you are going to need from veterinarians that will show your pet’s vaccination records and other health information.
(On a trail, birdwatching in Yucatan, Mexico, pictured.)
Posted January 17, 2016
Ian T. Clement - Clement and Associates
When you travel to Mexico with your pets, you will need to have a letter from your home vet stating that the dog is not sick, doesn’t have any diseases, and is sound enough to travel abroad. That’s very important. Also, upon crossing back into the States or wherever you’re going, you’re going to want a Mexican vet to do a clean bill of health so your pet can go back to its home country. I’ve seen people whose dogs and...
When you travel to Mexico with your pets, you will need to have a letter from your home vet stating that the dog is not sick, doesn’t have any diseases, and is sound enough to travel abroad. That’s very important. Also, upon crossing back into the States or wherever you’re going, you’re going to want a Mexican vet to do a clean bill of health so your pet can go back to its home country. I’ve seen people whose dogs and cats have been sequestered at the airport upon coming in to Mexico. It can be really traumatic for the dog or the cat, and they can basically just be kept waiting until you get the letter from the vet. That can certainly give a dog or a cat a panic attack- to be in a strange place and be held by strange people for an indefinite amount of time. Sometimes they don’t ask for the letter from the vet, but normally they do. You’re better off just having the letter on hand.
There’s no difference between bringing your pet as a visitor, or as a resident; it’s the same.
(Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) airport, Mexico, pictured.)
Posted December 19, 2016
Andy James
You don’t need to know much about pet transport within Mexico. It’s possible that you might be pulled over by a policeman who tells you that your dog needs to be in a crate, but he’s looking for a “roadside fine” more than he actually cares about whether your dog’s out and about or not. In other words, he’s looking to shake you down. I know people who have had that incident happen. Realistically, though, I have my dog on the front seat of my car...You don’t need to know much about pet transport within Mexico. It’s possible that you might be pulled over by a policeman who tells you that your dog needs to be in a crate, but he’s looking for a “roadside fine” more than he actually cares about whether your dog’s out and about or not. In other words, he’s looking to shake you down. I know people who have had that incident happen. Realistically, though, I have my dog on the front seat of my car and I don’t care. I imported three dogs to Mexico when I came from the Caribbean. To get your dog or cat into Mexico, you have to make absolutely sure that your paperwork is 100% accurate, or you’re going to spend a few nights in the customs department of wherever you go. Make sure that your pets have had their vaccinations, that you have all the required paperwork that you need, and that the dates of the vaccinations are within their rules, because if your dog was vaccinated three months ago, that’s not going to do it. It has to be within a certain amount of time. In short, everything should be taken care of, and then it’s okay to bring your pets in.
If the people at the customs can find a problem, they will find a problem. The default answer to any question that has anything to do with red tape in Mexico is “No.” This is a thing about red tape here in Mexico that is specific to dogs: if you get it perfectly, the process is as smooth as silk. If there is one letter out of place, you’re done. It’s going to take you months to put it right. You have to do your preparation.
((The dogs of the owners of Best Places of the World to Retire drinking the water on the sly in Mexico, pictured.)
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Posted March 5, 2017