I have read on RP local Facebook pages that the border guards are now asking for certificates of health for dogs in addition to rabies certificates. Some people without them have said they have been turned back to the States. Has anyone here experienced that?
I have read on RP local Facebook pages that the border guards are now asking for certificates of health for dogs in addition to rabies certificates. Some people without them have said they have been turned back to the States. Has anyone here experienced that?
Yes very true, My dog is a social butterfly and wants to been seen so it pops up at every turn and stop. The last 3 times I have crossed they have asked for the certificate and have told them I will have it next time for sure, I forgot to ask if I can get one from a vet in mexico and how current it has to be.
When I had a dog, (last trip for my dog was 2013) I was stopped about 50% of the time crossing at Sonoyta, I had a large dog who would always sit up at the border, even if I had a green light
they would pull me over when ever they saw the dog's head pop up. Never happened at night, but I seldom travel at night now.
They want to see that the rabies vaccinations are up to date. I only presented a receipt from my vet showing the expire date.
Last 2 trips with my dog, I copied the vet receipt along with a photo of my dog and my drivers license all on it.
It sped up the process at the border and the Mexico agents were very happy I did this because it saved them some time and work.
When I had a dog, (last trip for my dog was 2013) I was stopped about 50% of the time crossing at Sonoyta, I had a large dog who would always sit up at the border, even if I had a green light
they would pull me over when ever they saw the dog's head pop up. Never happened at night, but I seldom travel at night now.
They want to see that the rabies vaccinations are up to date. I only presented a receipt from my vet showing the expire date.
Last 2 trips with my dog, I copied the vet receipt along with a photo of my dog and my drivers license all on it.
It sped up the process at the border and the Mexico agents were very happy I did this because it saved them some time and work.
I have never been asked for the certificate before say nov of 14, now its every time I cross. The gal that checks knows how many times she has warned me, they will call your vet if you forgot it.
For the past year+ I've been asked, but the rabies was the one they wanted to see most. Is the certificate of health something other than their tags, and the immunizations that go along with them? At least they stopped taking pictures of the dogs.
I have been going through Mexicalli and I always stop to declare building materials. They have even petted my dog and have never asked for anything. I am surprised I have never been asked coming back to the United States because I dog always wants to pick a fight with the boarder patrol dogs.
Has anyone experienced this new "certificate of health" requirement since El Tiburon's initial post? The rabies is one thing. Certificates of health in the US stipulate on the form that they are only good for 10 days. For someone like me, who goes down almost twice a month year-round, that is crazy!
Now please do not get me wrong here, I'm just reporting a rumor, not advocating that anyone take this action. Far be it for me to do so !! BUT I have heard that it is simple to obtain a blank form and fill it in just before you cross, keeping a blank copy or at least the date balnk. I doubt that they check with a vet about it.
Now please do not get me wrong here, I'm just reporting a rumor, not advocating that anyone take this action. Far be it for me to do so !! BUT I have heard that it is simple to obtain a blank form and fill it in just before you cross, keeping a blank copy or at least the date balnk. I doubt that they check with a vet about it.
Thanks. (In any case, they sure try to make it difficult for law-abiding folks to frequent / live there part time, and spend their money in Mexico!)
Roberto,
Here is a link for people to print out their own Pet health certificate. I am sure in 99.9% of the cases people will be bringing healthy animals to Penasco.
So the bother of going to the vet and pay extra $$ when people forget to ask for one during the annual shot visit won't be a problem. http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/forms/eforms/dd2209.pdf
Here is one for people to fill out, because I'm pretty sure most pets traveling to Mexico will be
99.9% healthy and in better shape than many of the animals I see in Penasco and just want to bring home with me.
As you said, I really doubt there is any follow up on tracking these forms. http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/forms/eforms/dd2209.pdf
There are many more available than this one, just do a search.
Not a chance, Bob.
By the way did you give up on your plans to tour Mexico in the campervan?
Yep, sold the camper too. Several factors at work but mainly I guess to say I lost my nerve to travel alone what with being an OG and all. Had a companion that was to go along but she backed out. I still look at the maps though !!
Yep, sold the camper too. Several factors at work but mainly I guess to say I lost my nerve to travel alone what with being an OG and all. Had a companion that was to go along but she backed out. I still look at the maps though !!
I was looking forward to reading about your adventures but I'm glad you're still here with the rest of us! :)
Yep, sold the camper too. Several factors at work but mainly I guess to say I lost my nerve to travel alone what with being an OG and all. Had a companion that was to go along but she backed out. I still look at the maps though !!
It is probably just as well, given the areas and groups that would pose a threat to your safety on the Mexican roads today. I am not too sure that I would travel Mexico roads, by day and night like I used to do, with children even. I feel that I have used up eight of my nine lives and need to make the current one last as long as I can. The farther you are away from the border, the harder it would be to make a run for it, if need be.
Jim; Pretty much what I thought. Recalling the years back nightime drive from Durango to Matzatlan on the old highway. Ran out of gas !! The old road was perfect for a sports car but I was driving a crappy rental out of Torreon.
I have mine in PowerPoint and revise it as required. The one my vet put out was confusing to them so I just made it easier.
I also modified it to reflect it was also a Certificate of Health I always ask if she is Ok but if I want a certificate he charges more.
I forgot to say but we get checked almost every time. I keep a copy ready and I also made a mug shot page to attach and the guards love it
I don't know it they still take pics but they used to and this is faster.
It is probably just as well, given the areas and groups that would pose a threat to your safety on the Mexican roads today. I am not too sure that I would travel Mexico roads, by day and night like I used to do, with children even. I feel that I have used up eight of my nine lives and need to make the current one last as long as I can. The farther you are away from the border, the harder it would be to make a run for it, if need be.
Due to the charge our vet charges for a health certificate I copied his form in to powerpoint and revised it to show it as a vaccination and health report. I just added a revised title line. I also revised how the vaccination due dates show better. When we get to the border our dog looks for the border dogs so w also get the red light every time I made up a packet to hand the fellow that wants to check everything. I just roll down the window and hand him or her a certificate and a set of mug shots pics of the dog. They do a quick look and we are on our way
I carry all my dog's papers every time and no one has every asked for them, even when we were stopped at immigration for a 1/2 hr. But I am not going to forget them. It is too far back to Green Valley.
I carry all my dog's papers every time and no one has every asked for them, even when we were stopped at immigration for a 1/2 hr. But I am not going to forget them. It is too far back to Green Valley.
You have been fortunate. But “carrying your dog’s papers” is not so much the issue as what those papers now need to be. A simple annual rabies vaccination certificate, along with a cursory visual inspection by border officials used to suffice. Lately, it seems – according to reports – visitors are required to additionally have a “certificate of health” for their pets as well. Problem is, a certificate of health is good for 30 (?) days. And each one is expensive and requires a visit to the vet. So those who visit Rocky Point, say, once a month apparently are no longer encouraged to do so.
We have friends that go to Mazatlan a couple of times a year. They decided to see friends in Penasco and come back thru Lukeville. They have a Maine Coon cat that weighs about 50 Lbs. They usually come thur Nogales. But this time Lukeville. Anyway I guess he is tired of waiting in line and gets on the back of the seat. Border patrol thought he was a wild cat. They pulled them over and looked at all his paper and pictures and then called someone. They sent pictures to someone. The pulled them over and took him into immigration were he got in one of their laps and fell asleep. 50 lb cat instantly got admitted.
I'm surprised they had the nerve to mess with a "50lb wild cat." Good way to get yourself torn up real good. The boss must have been watching! Nice story, thanks for sharing.
I'm surprised they had the nerve to mess with a "50lb wild cat." Good way to get yourself torn up real good. The boss must have been watching! Nice story, thanks for sharing.
Yeah, but I’m thinking that even a Maine Coon – at 50 pounds – would be morbidly obese, and therefore not very mobile (intimidating). It probably had more to do with figuring out what it was.
They are asking for the rabies vaccination & a certificate of health no older than 6 months from a vet.
If they are allowing it to be up to 6 months that wouldn't be too bad, but as someone else mentioned, 30 days is just crazy! We will be going back and forth all the time, so how could I possibly get one every 30 days!
If they are allowing it to be up to 6 months that wouldn't be too bad, but as someone else mentioned, 30 days is just crazy! We will be going back and forth all the time, so how could I possibly get one every 30 days!
You're referring to some older posts. Sometimes rules at the border seem to change with the wind. A couple weeks ago, I handed over a certificate of health dated May 3. No problem. So I'm just going with the every-six-months plan until I hear differently.
You're referring to some older posts. Sometimes rules at the border seem to change with the wind. A couple weeks ago, I handed over a certificate of health dated May 3. No problem. So I'm just going with the every-six-months plan until I hear differently.
Just got back from the vet with both dogs. What a stressful experience this was. I brought them the form #7001 and thought that maybe they could fill it out and leave the part blank where it says certified USDA veterinarian signature and they said NO! Then I was told they don't do any health certificates. Then I had the actual vet come in (instead of just the tech) and he said that could fill out the interstate one for me. It's called "Official Small Animal Health Certificate" and at the top it reads, "State Veterinarian, State of Arizona, 1688 West Adams Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007. Basically it has an issue date but no expiration date. It just contains the vaccine information for both dogs on one sheet. The cost for this was $49 exam fee for each dog, $37.50 for health certificate which was good for both dogs. So $135 every 30 days! The shots are all good for 3 years now so no worry about that, but I am going to try to get by with the shot records and this certificate I have and hope I don't get turned back. I'll let you know what happens. BTW, my vet told me he tried calling Mexican customs himself and could not get a straight answer on the matter.
Just got back from the vet with both dogs. What a stressful experience this was. I brought them the form #7001 and thought that maybe they could fill it out and leave the part blank where it says certified USDA veterinarian signature and they said NO! Then I was told they don't do any health certificates. Then I had the actual vet come in (instead of just the tech) and he said that could fill out the interstate one for me. It's called "Official Small Animal Health Certificate" and at the top it reads, "State Veterinarian, State of Arizona, 1688 West Adams Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007. Basically it has an issue date but no expiration date. It just contains the vaccine information for both dogs on one sheet. The cost for this was $49 exam fee for each dog, $37.50 for health certificate which was good for both dogs. So $135 every 30 days! The shots are all good for 3 years now so no worry about that, but I am going to try to get by with the shot records and this certificate I have and hope I don't get turned back. I'll let you know what happens. BTW, my vet told me he tried calling Mexican customs himself and could not get a straight answer on the matter.
By "certificate of health" I was referring to the "Official Small Animal Health Certificate" as the one I used at the border. Did not present Form 7001 to my vet. I simply -- based on what I've heard from others -- have been renewing the Small Animal Health Certificate every 6 months. Since the one I presented at the border in mid-July had been issued in early May, I'm guessing that the certificates do not need to be issued every 30 days. Again, I'm going with "every 6 months" until I learn otherwise.
We were asked for the dog's vaccination record last week when crossing back into the US at the Nogales Mariposa POE.
I have never been asked for my pets vaccine records coming back into the USA (20+ years)
When we brought home our mangy Mexican stray puppy a few years ago, we were asked how the dog and our house cat, also in the car, got along.
We just laughed and said fine.
BTW, That stray puppy we brought home turned into a 75lb beast and was the best dog anyone could ever ask for.
I have never been asked for my pets vaccine records coming back into the USA (20+ years)
When we brought home our mangy Mexican stray puppy a few years ago, we were asked how the dog and our house cat, also in the car, got along.
We just laughed and said fine.
BTW, That stray puppy we brought home turned into a 75lb beast and was the best dog anyone could ever ask for.
Our undocumented puppy lived to be 16 years old after being the most loyal pet and protector we have ever had.
Never going back to USA but many times going south our dogs have had more pictures taken than they can fit in their file cabinet or where ever they put them.
Just got back from the vet with both dogs. What a stressful experience this was. I brought them the form #7001 and thought that maybe they could fill it out and leave the part blank where it says certified USDA veterinarian signature and they said NO! Then I was told they don't do any health certificates. Then I had the actual vet come in (instead of just the tech) and he said that could fill out the interstate one for me. It's called "Official Small Animal Health Certificate" and at the top it reads, "State Veterinarian, State of Arizona, 1688 West Adams Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007. Basically it has an issue date but no expiration date. It just contains the vaccine information for both dogs on one sheet. The cost for this was $49 exam fee for each dog, $37.50 for health certificate which was good for both dogs. So $135 every 30 days! The shots are all good for 3 years now so no worry about that, but I am going to try to get by with the shot records and this certificate I have and hope I don't get turned back. I'll let you know what happens. BTW, my vet told me he tried calling Mexican customs himself and could not get a straight answer on the matter.
If you have a residence in mexico and have electric bill and tell them you live in mexico they'll let you just drive thru.
If you have a residence in mexico and have electric bill and tell them you live in mexico they'll let you just drive thru.
Now THAT'S a first! I can't imagine why my having a Mexican residence / permenante or whatever would convince them that my dogs are any healthier or up to date on inoculation than other dogs.
Now THAT'S a first! I can't imagine why my having a Mexican residence / permenante or whatever would convince them that my dogs are any healthier or up to date on inoculation than other dogs.
I take photocopies of the vet certificate and photos of the dog. When I get stopped I open the window as the officer approaches and hold the papers out the window.
They generaly laugh, look at the papers and send us on our way.
I took both dogs to vet before leaving to Mexico last year and got the "Official Small Animal Health Certificate" from them. It has an issue date, but no expiration. I scanned them to my PC and edit the issue dates to whatever I need them to be. Using some handy-dandy cut-and-paste, I can make the handwritten dates almost perfect. Then I take the UPS "WorldShip Peel and Stick Label - 2 per page", peel and toss the labels and print to the matte side of the backing paper. Cut it in half so it's 8.5"x5.5". The "fake" and original are almost indistinguishable.
I took both dogs to vet before leaving to Mexico last year and got the "Official Small Animal Health Certificate" from them. It has an issue date, but no expiration. I scanned them to my PC and edit the issue dates to whatever I need them to be. Using some handy-dandy cut-and-paste, I can make the handwritten dates almost perfect. Then I take the UPS "WorldShip Peel and Stick Label - 2 per page", peel and toss the labels and print to the matte side of the backing paper. Cut it in half so it's 8.5"x5.5". The "fake" and original are almost indistinguishable.
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I personally hate to risk fraud penalties from either side of the border, and simply get the "Official Small Animal Health Certificate" every 6 months from my vet. Despite that it displays no expiration, rumor has it that they are recognized at the border for 6 months, and -- having put it to the test a couple times, 3 months out -- that seems to work.
If I didn't know better I'd say that is the only other Browns fan on the forum. Condolences brother.
Oh, I'm sure there are others; most people hide their shame. I guess I have no shame...or I am mentally ill from growing up there and like to torture myself. ;)
Southbeacher said:
I personally hate to risk fraud penalties from either side of the border, and simply get the "Official Small Animal Health Certificate" every 6 months from my vet. Despite that it displays no expiration, rumor has it that they are recognized at the border for 6 months, and -- having put it to the test a couple times, 3 months out -- that seems to work.
Don't get me wrong, my dogs shots and everything are all up-to-date and if anyone challenged and called my vet, they would say the same, since they seem to be there every couple months or so. But when I first found out about the cert requirement, I believe it said you had to have the certificate dated no more than two weeks before travel. If I travel to Mexico twice in the same month, once at beginning and once at end....to me, that's a giant PITA getting three dog certs twice in one month and spending, what, $150-200 total. But if my travel is a 6-12mos or so apart, yeah, I'll probably get newer ones again, in case something changes or whatnot and just to be somewhat current.
Sorry for the mess above, but the "reply" feature seems to have a glitch. Anyway, regarding your travel pattern, mine is about the same: 1 to 2 times per month. What I was saying is that I simply update the dog certs (for 2 dogs) every 6 months. I, too, have seen the statements that they must be dated no more than 2 weeks prior to travel. But apparently -- based on what I heard, as well as my own experience -- they will be honored at the Mexico border for up to 6 months. I recently put that to the test in November. Was stopped . . . showed them the rabies certificates in addition to the "small animal. . . " (pink) certificates which were dated in August. No problem.
This is off the topic of dogs. but very important question. Does anyone have knowledge of laws of reptiles? I would like to know if it's legal to keep tarantulas snakes & other reptiles & sell & import & export in & out of Mexico. If you don't have the answer can someone direct me to where I can find out this information with someone speaking English. Thanks