What to know when taking a pet to Mexico

thejetsetpets.com

July 1, 2014  

By kellyecarter

Pet inspection station at Puerto Vallarta International Airport

If you’re planning on taking a pet to Mexico, here’s the latest on what you need to know. I obtained the information last week at the agriculture health inspection office at Puerto Vallarta’s Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport.

First, be aware that this information on taking a pet to Mexico only pertains to cats and dogs. If you wish to bring a live animal that is not a dog or a cat, such as a canary, reptile, ferret, hamster, guinea pig, click here.

For those of you toting your fine feline(s) or distinguished dog(s), be prepared to stop at an Office of Agricultural Health  (OISA) at all points of entry into the country, including maritime ports, borders, international airports and crossing points throughout the country. In Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find the OISA office located after immigration and right before baggage claim.

SAGARPA-SENASICA (Mexico’s health authority) personnel are quite vigilant so it didn’t surprise me to see dogs that are trained to detect any organic product that may represent a health or safety risk walking around sniffing people and luggage at the airport in Puerto Vallarta.

When taking a pet to Mexico

When you arrive to Mexico with your pet, you must contact SAGARPA-SENASICA personnel who will conduct a brief physical inspection and verify that your pet is in compliance with the following requirements:

1) A Health Certificate in original and simple copy, issued by either a private or official medical Veterinarian indication (you may have more than one pet on a single certificate)

• Name and address of the exporter and importer (address or origin and destination address in Mexico)
• That the animal has been vaccinated against rabies, indicating the state of application and expiration date of the vaccine. Pets under three months of age are exempt of this requirement.
• That the inspection prior to travel found the animal to be clinically healthy.
• That the animal has undergone a preventive treatment against internal and external parasites, at most six months prior to travel and is currently free of ectoparasites (THIS REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO PETS FROM OR ORIGINATING IN THE USA AND CANADA)
• Name, signature and professional license number of the Medical Veterinarian issuing the Health Certificate

If the above requirements are not met, you may request the services of a Mexican licensed medical Veterinarian of your choice and at your expense, to issue a new valid health certificate and/or apply the treatment required.

2) Your pet should arrive to Mexico in a container, kennel, carrier of any sort, that is clean, without bedding, cloth material or accessories, for these will be retained by the OISA official for destruction. The container will then receive a preventive spray treatment by the SAGARPA-SENASICA official.

3) You may bring a day’s ration of pet food in a plastic baggie or container, accompanying your pet. You are allowed to bring unopened pet food that is packaged with labeling in Spanish and English that does not contain any ingredients of ruminant origin (such as lamb or beef) and stamped by the Health Authority of the country of origin. For your information, there is pet food available in Mexico that is registered and authorized by Mexico’s Health authority, SAGARPA-SENASICA.

4) If you send your pet in cargo, it is important that you verify all requirements of the airline of your choice and consider the need to utilize the service of a Customs Broker to clear Customs prior to compliance with SAGARPA-SENASICA tariff free regulations.

Please note: The Health Certificate issued by a private Medical Veterinarian should be printed on letterhead, with the professional license number or a photocopy of the license, signature in original and simply copy form.

If you are transporting one to three pets, the Animal Health Import Certificate process is free of charge. if you are importing four or more pets, the fee of the Import Certificate would be $1,817.00 pesos (this amount may vary in conformance with the Federal Tax Law.) This payment can be made using the e5cinco form via bank window or internet.

Remember that compliance with the regulations established by SAGARPA-SENASICA do not exempt you from compliance with regulations of other authorities at the point of entry into Mexico.

Traveling with Your Pet to Hawaii, Canada, or Mexico

humanesociety.org

Plan ahead to make your pet's trip safe

• 
  It's usually best not to take your pet on trips. But if you do bring your pet along, plan ahead to make it a safe trip.  istockphoto.com

If you decide to travel with your pet to Hawaii, Canada, or Mexico, you'll need to make some plans and preparations before you leave. It might take a little research, but it's worth it to ensure a smooth trip for your pet with no last-minute surprises. Note: If you are traveling with a bird, be aware of a special U.S. requirement.

Think twice about taking your pet

 

Please note that The HSUS discourages transportation of animals in the cargo hold of planes. You should carefully consider whether taking your animal to another country is in the best interest of your pet. 

If a family member or good friend can care for your pet while you are gone, you might decide to spare your pet the undue stress and risk which air travel for animals creates. You may also wish to consider finding a foster home with a humane/rescue group in your area which can care for your pet temporarily. If you choose this option, form a written agreement with the group stating how long you will be gone, who should be contacted in an emergency, etc.

Research pet-travel laws

 

If you plan to travel with your pet to Hawaii, Canada, or Mexico, be sure to learn the animal quarantine policies long before you pack your bags. You may be able to find out a country's legal requirements through your veterinarian (who may refer you to other resources), on the Internet, or by contacting the embassy for that country.

Taking your pet to Hawaii

 

Although pets may travel freely throughout the continental U.S. as long as they have proper documentation, Hawaii requires a 30- or 120-day quarantine for all dogs and cats. Hawaii's quarantine regulations vary by species, so check prior to travel.

Taking your pet to Canada

 

If you and your pet are traveling from the U.S. to Canada, you must carry a certificate issued by a veterinarian that clearly identifies your pet and certifies that he or she has been vaccinated against rabies during the preceding 36-month period. Different Canadian provinces may have different requirements. Be sure to contact the government of the province you plan to visit.

Taking your pet to Mexico

 

If you and your pet are traveling to Mexico, you must carry a health certificate prepared by your veterinarian within two weeks of the day you cross the border. The certificate must include a description of your pet, the lot number of the rabies vaccine used, indication of distemper vaccination, and a veterinarian's statement that your pet is free from infectious or contagious disease. This certificate must be stamped by an office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There is a fee for this stamp.

Bringing your pet back to the continental U.S.

 

The USDA has a policy that all dogs imported from screwworm-affected countries into the U.S. must have a statement on the import health certificate that states specifically that the dog has been checked for and found to be negative for screwworm. The certificate must be issued within five days (most airlines require that the certificate be issued within 10 days of travel). For more information and to see which countries are affected by screwworm, visit The USDA's website.

If you are traveling with a bird

 

If you are transporting birds out of the U.S., record the leg band or tattoo number of each bird on the USDA certificate and get required permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

How to travel with your dog

travel.cnn.com
By Karla Cripps  
29 August, 2012

 

Don't deprive your dog of the opportunity to dress up in tacky tourist outfits. Take him on holiday with you. At the five-star Fairmont Whistler Hotel in British Columbia, cocker spaniels, golden retrievers and even German shepherds can be seen strutting through the hallways with their owners.

Out the hotel's back entrance, stainless steel dog bowls filled with fresh water are set out to rehydrate tired pets returning from brisk walks in the mountain air.

Long gone are the days when pet owners were banished to grim roadside motels with their contraband canines.

Thanks to a surge in the number of pet-friendly hotels, airlines with pet-friendly policies and pet immigration guidelines to facilitate international travel, more people than ever are taking their dogs overseas with them.

“I travel with my dog everywhere," says TV's “Dog Whisperer,” Cesar Millan. "It’s the right thing to do. In Mexico, we went to the market -- dogs follow. Went to school -- dogs follow."

He adds that being able to fly with them is a chance no one should pass up.

Who to fly with

 

 

Frankfurt International's Animal Lounge covers 3,750 square meters and combines handling, animal coordination and veterinary services. Website Petfriendlytravel.com has an extensive round up of global airlines and their policies on pets.

Among the most pet-friendly of the pack is Virgin Atlantic, with its Flying Paws plan that gives pets their very own reward scheme.

Sorry, no free flights though. Pets collect "paw prints," which can be redeemed for gifts like Burberry, Prada and Gucci pet clothing.

Fancy dress delights aside, pet owners do need to pay attention to the small print when booking flights for their animals.

For instance, Air France says some pets are accepted in the aircraft cabin and in the aircraft hold. But "dogs of the following breeds cannot be transported on any Air France flights, including by freight: Staffordshire terrier, mastiff (boerbull), tosa, pitbull. Ferrets and polecats can only travel by freight. Parrots must be transported by cargo."

Singapore Airlines requires that your pet has a certificate of good health but does not allow pets to travel in the cabin of the aircraft.

Most North American airlines, however, do let small pets travel in the cabin with you on  flights -- fees can be steep, while some only allow domestic travel -- provided you let them know at the time of booking.

“Pets traveling in the cabin require a reservation to ensure no more than seven pets are booked on any single flight," says American Airlines.

Get that dog a passport

 

 

Before you fly overseas, make sure your dog has the necessary paperwork specific to your destination's immigration laws. So you've found an airline that will accommodate you and your pooch. Next comes the hard part. Red tape.

Pet immigration laws are specific to each country, but one way to cut down on some of the headaches is to create a pet passport, which is "a collection of all identifying and required documents for entering a given country," advises Pettravel.com.

A pet passport is an essential part of the Pet Travel Scheme ("PETS"), a system that allows animals to travel into the United Kingdom without undergoing quarantine if all the regulations are followed.

It was originally introduced in 2001 for animals entering or returning to the UK from other European Union countries, but has since rolled out to other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Pettravel.com has a full list of country-specific pet immigration rules, with an option to purchase the necessary forms online.

'Like training for a marathon' 

 

 

Give your dog time to get used to its crate before you fly, say travel experts. Next step: pee control.

Though probably a little easier than flying with kids, heading out on an epic journey with your dog isn't as simple as throwing it into a pet carrier and taking off, says Millan.

You need to prepare them for the long journey and let them get used to their carrier.

"Don’t just put them in a crate the day before. It should be a transition," he says. "You have to teach your dog to hold its bladder -- it's almost like training for a marathon.

"Go through the process before you fly. For example, flying from Los Angeles to Spain is 14 hours. So I conditioned Julio and rest of my dogs to gradually be able to wait two, four, six, eight hours."

Before you buy a pet crate, check out the International Air Transport Association's list of pet carrier requirements, which most airlines adhere to.

Finding a hotel

 

The uptrend in people traveling with pets isn't reserved to the West. Dog owners in Asia are also keen to let their pets tag along on holiday with them, though hotels are slower to adapt to the trend than in North America or Europe.

Kasama Nontamit, Bangkok-based vice president of distribution strategy for an international insurance company, often takes her tiny Maltese Baileys with her whenever she travels. (Thai Airways allows some dogs in the cabin.)

The challenge, however, is finding accommodations that will take her.

"If we want to take Baileys with us, we definitely call the hotel first or search on the Internet for one that allows pets," she says. "Most of the four- and five-star hotels in Thailand don't allow dogs, no matter how cute and tiny they are."


One of the best resources for people looking to travel overseas with their pets is Bringfido.com, which has a global database of pet-friendly hotels -- Thailand included.

Just click on the continent and the country you wish to visit. A list of cities with pet-friendly hotels will appear.

Though North America has hundreds of hotels that accept dogs, some charge extra for pets while others have size limits.

Couch surfing for pets or a luxury dog hotel?

 

 

D Pet Hotel Chelsea offers a fitness center, private chef and a suite for US$200 a night. There are of course those times when man's best friend can't tag along. Kennels are the obvious solution, but there are plenty of other options.

DogVacay.com lets people look up hosts in their area who will care for your dog in their own home. A doggy version of Airbnb or CouchSurfing.org, it costs an average of US$25-30 a day.

"For a dog lover to host on DogVacay.com they must complete an extensive online application, which our staff of experts manually reviews and approves," says the website.

You could always send your dog on its own luxury holiday. From Melbourne to London, pet hotels are popping up in cities around the world.

One pet hotel that just opened in New York's Chelsea neighborhood aims to give dogs the same experiences a holidaying human gets. Maybe even better.

Part of the D Pet Hotels chain (there are already properties in pampered pooch capital Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona), your dog will sleep in a double bed, watch movies on a flat-screen TV ("Lassie" or "Beethoven" anyone?), dine on gourmet dog goodies, spend hours in the spa and run on a treadmill.
Tokyo's Narita Airport has its own pet hotel, Pet Inn Royal, where travelers can drop off their animals before they take off on holiday.

Mentally prepare your dog 

 

If you do have to leave your dog behind, don't worry about separation anxiety. Cesar Millan says that with proper training your pet can handle the time apart -- even if you can't.

But it's also an issue that needs to be worked out if you're traveling with your dog, as there will be times you want to leave it in the hotel room without having to worry about it barking and clawing at the door or chewing things up when you're out.


 

Baileys the Maltese waits to check in for her flight at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport. "Separation anxiety is created by humans because they feel closer to the dog the more they bond. That’s not realistic for the dog, which doesn’t understand."

“I have to help people and show them how we create separation anxiety. In Mexico, a dog is not allowed in the intimate space. We don’t have a living room. Dog lives outside. Detached from humans.

"In America, a dog lives on top of the human. The human goes to work, the dog doesn’t know how to separate from them. It’s easy to rehabilitate, but you have to understand the concept of proximity for training to work.

"It's not good to let your dog follow you everywhere. Tell them when they can be near you, then tell them to go away," suggests Millan as a method of lessening your dog's attachment to you.

Frequent traveler Kasama agrees that making sure your dog is well behaved is the key to an enjoyable holiday.

"You have to be very responsible and considerate for others as well -- especially when in public areas or using public transportation," she says.

"The pets need to be trained and controllable."

Vacation Home Rental

From Teresa Plowright, former About.com Guide

travelwithkids.about.com

Vacation Home Rental - Photo courtesy of Hotpads.com.

Vacation home rentals are a popular type of family vacation: thanks to the internet, families can rent a place directly from its owners, see photos online, ask questions by email, etc.

Vacation home rentals are most common in beach areas and ski areas, but can be found just about everywhere and can even be a good option on Orlando when extended families want a large place to gather. Home rentals in Europe can be a practical choice for families, too (- see more, below.)

Advantages of Vacation Home Rentals Include:
 

• spacious homes can accommodate a reunion of family and friends
• convenience of kitchen and laundry, is great for families
• often homes have private pools, jacuzzis, large tv's, etc.
• price -- while higher than a hotel room- can be a good deal for families who can't fit into a single hotel room (compared to, say, the price of adjoining hotel rooms for a family with teens.) Price also gets attractive if shared among two families.
• friendly owners may give tips about what to enjoy in the area

 

Keep in Mind, Though:

 

• someone (could that be Mom?) will be probably spend time in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning up after meals.
• location of the vacation home may require a car rental.
• guests may need to pay a substantial deposit at the time a reservation is made.
• in some countries (Caribbean isles and Mexico, for instance), daily maid service may come with the vacation home; in others, not. Still, even in North America, service can probably be arranged for a fee.
• again depending on the country, smoking may be forbidden and can invoke a penalty. 

And bad news for dog owners: even though more and more hotels welcome Fido these days, few vacation homes in North America allow pets. 

Vacation home rentals, and vocabulary, can vary greatly by country. In England, for example, guests will typically find listings for cottages, "garden houses", and apartments, whereas in France and Italy, you may find "farmhouses." In North American, a vacation home rental might be a private home, townhouse, condo, or a place in a gated resort community.

In the Caribbean and Mexico, "villas" are stand-alone dwellings, either on a private lot or as part of a resort complex or community with shared facilities such as pool and semi-private beach. In other contexts -- such as Disney Vacation Club Villas -- "villa" is a suite in a multi-unit building.

Some condos, while owned by a private individual, are in a hotel-like building or even an actual hotel. Booking may be processed through hotel reservations and guests may scarcely be aware that they're staying in someone's privately-owned unit. In other cases, condos are rented out privately by owners through sites like vrbo.com.

Tipe for navigating airport security

choice1.com

Have you planned a summer vacation? And after you’ve booked your travel and vacation rental, here are some tips that will help reduce your wait time at your airport’s security checkpoint.

Before you get to the airport:

• Do NOT pack or bring prohibited items to the airport. Here’s a link to a complete list of “prohibited items” on the U.S. government’s Transportation Security Administration website (please note that this file is in Adobe PDF format).
• Place valuables such as jewelry, cash, laptop computers, and cash in carry-on baggage only.
• Avoid wearing shoes, clothing, jewelry, and accessories that contain metal. Metal items may set off the alarm on the metal detector.
• Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film.
• If you wish to lock your baggage, use an approved lock. Here’s a link to list of TSA recognized locks.

After you get to the airport:

• Keep available your airline boarding pass and government-issued photo ID for each adult traveler until you exit the security checkpoint.
• Place your cell phone, keys, loose change, money clip, or anything on your person that will set off a metal detector in your carry-on bag.
• Take your laptop and video cameras with cassettes OUT of their cases so they can be x-rayed at the security checkpoint.
• Take OFF your outer coat, jacket, or blazer so it can be x-rayed at the security checkpoint.

Have a great vacation! 

Cesar’s Best Dog Travel Tips

By Cesar Millan

Bringing your dog on vacation with you just adds to the fun and alleviates the worry of not knowing what’s happening with your dog while you’re on the road. You need to do your homework on dog travel though. Planes and cars aren’t designed with dogs in mind, and you need to know what to expect when you reach your final destination. By planning your dog travel ahead of time, you can make the vacation a truly relaxing time for you and your dog. Here are my best dog travel tips to help make that happen:

Crating your dog for travel

It’s natural to feel bad about crating your dog. After all, you wouldn’t want to be crated. But don’t project your feelings onto your dog. They don’t mind the crate and some even feel safer in one.

• The most important thing you can do is make sure your dog has been well exercised before he goes in the crate. If he’s burned off his excess energy, he’ll be more inclined to rest.
• Make sure there’s nothing in the crate that can harm your dog. Leashes and loose collars are especially dangerous items that could present a strangling hazard.
• Keep your energy positive. Don’t present the crate like it’s a prison. Show the dog the crate and open the door. Don’t shove the dog in the crate. Let him go into the crate on his own. When he’s inside and comfortable, you can close the door. Walk away with good energy and body language. If you affect a sad voice and say things like “Don’t be sad. Mommy and Daddy will be back soon,” your dog is going to think something’s wrong and get anxious.
• Come back in 15 minutes. This will ease the dog’s separation anxiety next time you crate him. But don’t take him out of the crate. Remember that you’re not projecting that the crate is a bad thing. Just open the door and he can come out when he’s ready. See my training video on how to crate your dog for travel.

Driving with your dog

It’s usually a good idea to crate or harness your dog when riding in the car. You’ll be less distracted while driving which is safer for both of you. It also prevents your dog from becoming a projectile if you have to stop fast, also reducing the chance of injury for both of you. Speaking of projectiles, don’t feed your dog a lot before the trip as they are prone to motion sickness. Don’t feed your dog while you’re moving either. Wait until there’s a break and you can give her a small snack, preferably high in protein. It’s also good to spend a little time playing or walking during the break to get rid of some pent-up energy. And of course, don’t leave your dog in a parked car, especially when it’s warm out. Even with the window cracked open, the car can quickly turn into an oven, and your dog will get dehydrated. See article Dog Is My Co-Pilot (And Other Bad Ideas).

Taking your dog on an airplane

The first thing you need to do is check with the airline for their rules regarding pet travel. Many require a health certificate and may have other rules you haven’t thought of that you don’t want to be surprised with at the airport. Your dog will almost certainly be traveling in a crate and it will probably make everyone’s lives easier if you crate your dog before you enter the chaos of the airport.

As with car travel, it’s smart not to start the trip on a full stomach or bladder (dogs should fast for at least 6 hours before the trip) and to make a pit stop as close to the departure time as possible. However, make sure your dog has access to water—enough to keep hydrated but not full.

If your dog isn’t flying with you in the main cabin, don’t have a big goodbye scene. You’ll only upset your dog. If you’re calm, he’ll be calm.

To medicate or not to medicate your dog

With almost as large a selection of pharmaceuticals as humans, it may be tempting to medicate your dog with a sedative or calmative for the trip. I don’t recommend medicating your dog. You don’t want to start a pattern that ends with a reliance on pills for you or your pet. You possess all the tools to keep your pet calm with your voice, attitude, and body language.

Keeping your dog calm during travel

Make sure you bring your dog’s blankie or his favorite stuffed animal, toy, bone—any item which is familiar to your dog and will comfort and relax him.

For a little extra calm, try rubbing a little lavender oil between your hands and give your pet a little aromatherapy or deep tissue massage at the beginning of your dog’s spine or base of her head.

Staying in a hotel with your dog

As with flying, a little preemptive research is in order. Does the hotel you’re considering even allow pets? Better to find out before you arrive. Pet-welcoming hotels like Best Western will be prepared for your visit, and can even recommend parks, hikes, and other dog-friendly activities. At other hotels, the only thing fit for a dog is the Continental breakfast. It can also be embarrassing if your dog barks or howls in the new room. Don’t inadvertently encourage the barking with affection. Stay calm and assertive and take him out for some exercise to calm him.

Go on a long walk once you reach the hotel

A recently exercised dog will be in a more relaxed state during any long trip. Your dog may growl at strangers and that’s ok. It’s natural for your dog to be a little nervous around new people. She’s out of her element and may growl. This isn’t because she’s being aggressive, but because she’s a little freaked out and needs reassurance that everything’s under control. If you pull her away from the new person, you’re indicating that there is something wrong and she’ll freak out more. Again, be calm and assertive and show your dog that you’ve got it covered.

How to enter the hotel room with your dog

Now you are ready to go to your hotel room. Enter first. Get the dog to stay where he is. Don’t let him wander around or he’ll assume control of the situation. While you are unpacking, showering, or making phone calls, he is waiting. The only one who should move in the environment is you—until you are ready, then you initiate activity. It’s important that your scent is everywhere before the dog settles in.

Exploring a new place

You’re away from home and that means a lot of new sights, smells, sounds, and potential food items for your dog. Make sure you’re vigilant wherever you go about what’s around, especially in the area of things your dogs could ingest. Also, especially around the holidays, there may be a lot of lights, decorations, and snout-level treats that can be distracting or dangerous for your pooch. Keep an eye on him and the new place.

Can't bring your dog along?

Find a good substitute Pack. In a kennel, your dog should be immediately adopted as a member of the pack. The staff should be able to get your dog focused on what is there for him – and not leave him mourning over the fact that you left. It is a big deal for a dog to detach himself from a pack. The new pack should equal or better the pack he just left. SeeFinding the Right Doggie Daycare.

Traveling with a dog can be a fun experience for both of you. Just remember to be as prepared as possible wherever you go. The more homework you do on dog travel, the fewer surprises there will be. Don’t forget to make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and above all, of course, be calm and assertive. A balanced dog makes the best travel companion.

Happy travels!

Can I bring my pet into Mexico?