Job Discussion Forums

[devega]

I'm planning ahead for a move to central Mexico (Cuernavaca/Guadalajara/Morelia) in the summer of 2006. We have three small dogs (2 chihuahuas and 1 shih tzu) and one black cat. Has anyone had any experience with bringing pets to Mexico? We're afraid of arriving and finding it impossible to rent a place to live that would allow our pets.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[magpie]

At the last minute the person who was supposed to take both of my cats became ill and I had to bring both of them with me. I have the teacher's apartment all to myself, so that's not a big problem. I did leave my small Boston Terrier with my daughter as it would have been too hard to have her here--I'm in a 4th floor walk-up and really no place to walk her outside either.

The cats would be a lot easier than the dog(s) but maybe some other posters will share their experiences.

Also, the cost of pet food here is VERY expensive and I had trouble finding kitty litter until a major supermarket chain opened in town and it also is VERY expensive. I brought a lot of food and kitty litter down from the states with me.

[thelmadatter]

I came down with 2 cats and had absolutely no problem. Ive since been adopted by a street cat (well it started out as a severely underweight 3 month old kitten which has gotten very happy and fat ) Ive been told that if you have cats, you dont generaly even have to say anything to the landlord, everything here is cement and tile so its tough for the cats to do anything.

Ive been told that you do have to mention dogs. Since you have several, I honestly dont know how much of a problem that would be. Things here are much more lax than they are in the States, but I dont know how lax.

[dangermouse24]

I have 2 dogs and a ferret here myself. I got them after arriving in Mexico so I can't really speak for the whole crossing the border thing. Although I know alot of people who go to the US, buy animals and then bring them here to breed and they haven't had any problems with that. However if you go back to the US and want to bring your pets with you you do need documention from your vet here showing that they are in good health and have had all the required vaccinations like rabies.


As for finding a place to live that will allow you to have pets I personally haven't had any major problems. I always mention it to the landlord when I first look at the house and they're usually cool with it. Occasionally you will come across ones who don't want to rent the house to people with pets. Actually the lady I currently rent my house from wasn't thrilled with the idea, as she was afraid of the damage they would do and the condition of the house when I leave. What we did was ammend the original contract she had putting in a special clause that said we would repair any damage that the pets did before leaving the house at the end of the contract. With that there's been no problem and we actually renewed the contract for another year just last month.

[devega]

thank you all so much for your help, all who replied! we feel so much better about things now. now it's "pay off credit debt, get out of here next summer after i take my m.a.!"

[magpie]

Additional note. Although I have complied with the required pet documentation I have never had to show it at the border--I cross at Brownsville. I would STILL advise you get your documentation, however. I had to make an emergency trip back to Chicago in October because my daughter was gravely ill and the father of one of my students is a vet. He provided me the docs to re-enter the US for free ASAP. A good thing about teaching you can always help, a baby- or pet-sitter, too.

[magpie]

Additional note. Although I have complied with the required pet documentation I have never had to show it at the border--I cross at Brownsville. I would STILL advise you get your documentation, however. I had to make an emergency trip back to Chicago in October because my daughter was gravely ill. The father of one of my students is a vet and he provided me the docs to re-enter the U.S. for free ASAP. A good thing about teaching you can always help, a baby- or pet-sitter, too.

[thelmadatter]

Yeah get documentation no matter which way you cross the border. Better safe than sorry! But I, too, didnt have to show anything at customs even though I went through MC airport with two cat carriers in tow!

At that point, even I thought I was a crazy gringa! But my new co-workers were really sweet, there was a bag each of cat litter and dry food in my apt when I arrived

[Flo]

If you are flying keep in mind that most airlines will only allow one pet per passenger, and 2 pets on any single flight.

I brought my cat to Mexico in my car and things have worked out well. Get your health certificate and vaccines before you leave, although the paperwork probably won�t be looked at. Cat food is expensive here, and commercial cat toys pretty much don�t exist. I got tired of packing cat litter home from the store, so I switched over to sawdust and wood shavings. You can get them for free at any madereria or places that make furniture. They absorb most things, including the odor, and are biodegradable.

As far as the housing goes, I would recommend asking the landlord up front about pets. I was forced to lie to my first landlord, and then when we got the lease it said animals were prohibited. Everytime he came over I had to hide the cat, which of course jumped back into the house throuh the window. I was up front with the next landlord and he was more than happy to let the cat live in the house. Someone I know lie about having a pet, and the landlord saw it though the window and freaked out. I would never recommend telling lies. You will find the ocassional person that doesn�t want pets in the house, but most of the owners are pretty reasonable.

[devega]

thanks for the interesting and indeed encouraging suggestions... especially the one about the sawdust! right on -- takes the middleman/salesman out of the picture completely... and it's friendlier to the earth!

it's been very much appreciated, all of you.