Job Discussion Forums

beauchild · Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 3

Any advice regarding moving with your family pets to Mexico and returning with them??? Greatly appreciated.

thelmadatter · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:40 pm Post subject: cats

Its generally not a problem.. I moved here with my two cats (now I have three but thats another story....) in 2003. Needed a health certificate and rabies vaccination certificate (get the one-year shot... for some reason the Mexican govt doesnt trust the 3-year shot).

Renting a place with cats generally isnt a problem either. As almost everything is cement and tile, there's litte for them to mess up. However, it doesnt hurt to mention to a landlord that you have the animals tho they will most likely not care. Never had to pay a deposit for my cats either.

Going back is not a problem either... if to the US the same applies health cert. and current rabies vaccination. I think it is the same for Canada but Im not sure. Most vets know the regulations.

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

Not a problem? Does that mean if my fiance gets a dog while we're in Mexico it won't have to go through quarantine to come to the states in a couple years?

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

Hehehe...as far as I know, quarantine normally only applies to islands and the like. Australia and England had year long quarantines because neither country has rabies and...they didn't want it introduced. Typically, any 'mainland' country is a health certificate and the proper vaccinacions.

Tequila came from HOnduras easy-breezy and when we drove home from Torreon, no one at the border even asked to see her papers!

cangringo · Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 327 Location: Vancouver, Canada

I would check things carefully on the returning to or through the US. I have heard it can be very difficult especially with Mexican dogs going through. It can be done though, a guy who lived in our building in Vancouver brought five dogs back - all Mexican dogs. I think all they require is the rabies shot and another health cert but I've also heard that people have had other difficulties.

Coming into Mexico is no problem. Just make sure to get a health cert 72 hours prior to crossing the border - there are probably border vets that can do this easily for you and the rabies shot. We were greenlighted and no one asked anything about the our dog but good to have the necessary stuff just in case. I agree about the finding a place as well. No one seemed to care that we have a dog.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

I will be taking my Mexican-born cat back to Canada next month. After doing some research, I found this very helpful site:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/import/petse.shtml

Essentially, domestic dogs and cats need a rabies certificate. If you are flying into Canada, the airline will require you to have a health certificate stating the animal is in good health and fit to travel.

I emailed Canada Customs in the Vancouver airport and was told that an inspection officer is available 24/7. There is a $30 CN fee for the inspection, and the procedure usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

beauchild · Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 3

Thanks each and every one that has responding. This is a big step for me and I have received very valuable information from each of you!

Ruffle the cat · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 32 Location: different counties

Ruffle the cat just came to Toronto from Istanbul and will be going to Mexico in a year. This side of the world isn't a problem as far as I can see.
But try the other side. Ruffle is from Baku Azerbaijan and has lived in Tbilisi Georgia too. Both those countries ask for a leaving certificate. Don't look at it but what the h#ll got it.
Ruffle went through Germany on her way home to Canada. Well there are so many hoops to jump through it is not funny.
What is funny is that she has all these papers blood tests everything in the world I could find for her and guess what we walked out of Turkey into Germany and Canada and no one, no one at all knew she was with me.
Oh yes she was in the cabin with me all the way and the lovely lady in Istanbul who works for Lufthansa gave us extra seats so Ruffle would be comfortable traveling. Turkish people do love cats.
Air Canada doesn't though so don't even think of flying with them if you like animals or want to take one with you you can't period.

canadashirleyblue · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 162

The $30 Canadian is for the shipment (ie ALL the cats)! Amazing, I know! And the 10 to 15 minutes is for them to collect the money. Don't take any cat food though. I had to just about have a nervous breakdown to get a tiny tub of it in.