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We didn’t anticipate bringing a pet home after our 465-day global journey. However, when we caught a glimpse of Tamales and learned how she was discovered cowering beneath a car on the streets of Valladolid, Mexico, our hearts melted. We initially believed that the logistics of bringing a dog to the US would be too difficult, but after learning about the requirements, everything was straightforward.
This is the tale of two worn-out globetrotters, a cute dog, and our journey from a location close to the Chichen Itza ruins in Mexico to Dayton, Ohio.
How long does it take to bring a dog from Mexico to the US?
Given that there aren’t many conditions to be met, transporting a dog from Mexico to the US shouldn’t take too long.
You only need to take your dog to the veterinarian for a health check if it has lived in Mexico its entire life or at least for the last six months. You will not require any vaccinations or parasite treatments.
The procedure might take a little bit longer, though, if your dog has visited a nation that the US considers to be at high risk for rabies. If so, your dog needs to get vaccinated against rabies. You must wait 28 days after your dog has received a rabies vaccination before bringing it into the US.
What are the requirements for bringing a dog from Mexico to the US?
Your dog will only require the following to enter the US from Mexico:
Every dog must have a health certificate proving they are in good enough health to travel. These are also known as a veterinary or sanitary certificate. The health certificate must be in English, or a translation into English must be submitted with it.
Please be aware that at least 10 business days must pass before any requests to import an unvaccinated dog are approved. Only US citizens and foreign visitors staying in the country for 30 days or longer will be issued permits.
Your dog needs a rabies vaccination if it has traveled to a country that the US considers to be at high risk for the disease. Please refer to the next section below.
Some states may require other vaccinations and health certificates. Check with your destination state’s health department before you leave on your trip.
Does my dog need to be vaccinated against rabies before entering the US from Mexico?
If your dog has lived in Mexico for the past six months or since birth, you do not need to get him vaccinated against rabies before bringing him to the United States.
If bringing a dog into the US from a nation with a high rabies risk, the country requires rabies vaccination. However, the US considers Mexico to be a low-risk country.
As long as your dog has lived in Mexico for the previous six months or since birth, this is the case. When entering the US, as previously mentioned, you will need to present verbal or written confirmation that this is accurate. All written declarations must be in English or be translated into English.
Your dog needs a rabies vaccination if it recently visited a country that the United States deemed to be high-risk.
You must present proof of a current rabies vaccination. Dogs must be at least 3 months of age. In addition, you must wait 28 days after your dog received a rabies vaccination before traveling to the US.
The US considers the following countries to be high risk:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Côte D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Er
Can my dog cross the border from Mexico to the US without needing a microchip?
Although they are not necessary for entry into the US from Mexico, microchips are highly advised for your dog.
A microchip is an electronic means of identifying your dog. Your dog has a tiny electronic chip implanted between its shoulder blades that is about the size of a grain of rice. A chip reader can identify the unique identification number on the chip.
The likelihood of finding your dog again if you misplace it while traveling is greatly improved by a microchip.
Does my dog need to be treated for parasites before crossing the border from Mexico to the US?
It is not necessary to treat a dog for parasites when bringing it from Mexico to the US.
Some nations’ dogs need to be treated for tapeworm and screwworm before entering the US. However, this is not the case when traveling from Mexico.
Love at First Sight
We met Tamale (then named Carla) in Valladolid, Mexico. Our Airbnb hostess, Andrea, was fostering Tamale as part of her volunteer work with a group that rescues street dogs while we were renting a room in her apartment.
Since Tamale had only been off the streets for a few months, he was incredibly amiable and surprisingly well-trained. She would sit in the doorway, staring at us imploringly, until we would rub her belly even though she was aware she wasn’t permitted in our bedroom. We were smitten.
When Andrea heard how much we adored Tamale, she simply said, “Why don’t you take her home?” We at first scoffed at the suggestion. It just seemed too far-fetched and impossible. But just for fun, we decided to start looking into how we might go about doing that. Basically, we had to research the limitations imposed by the airline and the CDC.
As it turns out, it wasnt that bad at all.
FAQ
Can you cross animals from Mexico to USA?
You must present proof of rabies vaccination obtained no more than 30 days before re-entering the U.S. but no later than 12 months after your trip. S. Your dog will need to pass a physical examination after submitting the document.
What do I need to bring my dog back from Mexico to the USA?
Simply provide a health certificate proving your dog’s fitness and health in order to import dogs from Mexico into the US. Oral testimony proving your dog has been residing in Mexico for the last six months or since birth
What documents do I need to bring my dog into USA?
For entry into the United States, the CDC does not require general certificates of health for pets. However, some states may require health certificates for entry or airlines may require them. Before your scheduled departure, check with the airline and representatives of the state where you’ll be traveling.
Can you take your dog across the Mexican border and back?
You are allowed to bring two pets (a cat and a dog or two cats) into Mexico. If you and your partner are a couple, you are each allowed to bring in a maximum of four pets. Be aware that there are additional fees if you import more than 3 pets.