Bringing Pets To Mexico  First of all, don't panic. This won't be a nightmare. All one needs to bring their pet into Mexico is a bit of paperwork. Two bits of paperwork to be exact:
1. A vaccination certificate stating that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies, hepatitis, pip and leptospirosis.
2. An official health certificate that must be issued by a veterinarian no more than 72 hours before entering Mexico.
You may enter the country with up to two large pets (dogs or cats). If you want to enter the country with any more than two pets you would need permission, which could be obtained from the Mexican consulate nearest you. In any case, it would be a good idea to go to a Mexican consulate ahead of your trip and inform them of your plans. You will be relieved to know that there is no quarantine period required for bringing a pet into Mexico. You must note that airlines have certain restrictions on pet weight and pet size, as well as on pet containers. Furthermore, it would be a good idea to make travel plans well in advance.
Living With Your Pet In Mexico
 Before renting an apartment or a house, make sure you know whether pets are prohibited or not. Many apartments in Mexico either prohibit certain types of pets or set stringent restrictions on the size and weight of the pet - especially where dogs are concerned. Restrictions can also apply to cats, so make sure you sort out the details before signing a contract or a lease agreement. It would also be a good idea to enter a clause in your agreement stating that you have the right to break the lease without any penalties should any changes in the rules occur during your tenancy.
Once these legal issues are dealt with, owning a pet need not be too much of a hassle in Mexico. Household help is easy to come by, and thus domestic helpers can see to much of the pet's needs. Indeed, most dogs you'll see being taken on walks will rarely be with their owners but with household helpers. Another good point is that parks are plentiful throughout Mexico City, especially in the Roma, Condesa, Lomas areas, and also in the south of the city, around Pedregal and San Angel. Often one will not have to go far to find a park. On another note, a dog can also provide excellent home security, often just by its mere presence.
Airline Travel with Pets
Airline Travel With A Pet As Baggage
Most airlines have the regulations for transporting pets on their web site. If not apparent, check under frequently asked questions. The following advice comes from major airline:
- Do not tranquilize.
- In the summer, make sure the crate has plenty of ventilation.
- Do not put food or water in the crate. Tape a small envelope of dry food to top of crate. Also tape on a leash.
- Put 2 small plastic dishes in the crate for water and food at stopovers.
- For cats, do not put kitty litter in crate. Shred lots of newspaper instead.
- When making a connection to a different carrier you MUST claim pet, recheck with 2nd carrier, and pay another excess baggage charge.
- Put something like a bright colored yarn pom-pom on crate for easy recognition from a distance.
- Ask the airline if the aircraft is jet or prop. If flying by prop, the airline may refuse to transport in extreme weather.
- Tape note to top of crate stating destination, a contact name and phone number, last time pet was fed, details of any medication pet may be on, and when last dosed:
My name is______. I'm going to be picked up in_____ by ________ at phone no_________. I was last fed at __________. My medication is_______. I was last dosed at_______.
Airline Pet Carriers/Crates
What the Airlines require:
- A kennel - must be tall enough so the dog can sit or stand without ducking - must be long enough for the dog to be in the "down" position - must be twice as wide as the dog's shoulders - must be airline approved (durably built) - must have seperate water and food dishes attached to door - must be well ventilated - must have absorbent bedding (newspaper, blanket, etc.) All this isn't too difficult for smaller dogs, but your choices are very limited with larger dogs
- A health certificate - Issued by licensed vet no more than 10 days before the flight.
- Reasonable weather - I was told they wouldn't carry the animal if the temperature was less than 32 degrees or more than 85 degrees.
- Cost - This varies depending on who ships and how the dog travels When outfitting the crate for travel, be sure it contains all of the following features:
- The words LIVE ANIMALS in 1 inch high letters visible on the top of the crate and at least one side.
- Name, address and telephone number of animal's destination on the top of the crate.
- Security latched (not locked) doors.
- Two dishes - one for food and one for water - that are easily accessible to airline personnel.
- Absorbent lining, such as towels or puppy pads.
- Arrows or other markings to indicate the top of the crate.
- Handles or grips for secure transport.
- Well-ventilated, with exterior rims or knobs to prevent blocked airflow.
Notes
- If you are vacationing, include a permanent address and phone number. Your pet should also be wearing ID tags with the same information.
- Doors can pop open! Use plastic tie wraps to supplement the crate's latching mechanism.
- To make sure your pet has water available, freeze water in the dish. It will not spill during loading and will melt by the time your pet gets thirsty.
- For trips longer than 12 hours, attach food in a plastic bag to the outside of the carrier, and provide feeding instructions for personnel. How the dog will be shipped: Most airlines will accept the dog as excess baggage such that the dog will travel on the same plane as long as the total weight of the dog plus kennel is less than 100lbs. If the combined weight is greater than that, the dog usually must be shipped as cargo. At this point, the dog may or may not travel on the same plane, will be priced according to either the weight or the dimensions of the kennel (or both), and may or may not arrive the same day you do. This is where you must be EXTREMELY accurate and complete in your questions.
General Suggestions
At the Airport:
- Get to the airport early. Checking pets can take time (you have to have a health certificate from the vet for the pet; the airlines don't always check, but they do sometimes).
- Drop off your pet and carrier at the desk and someone is called to load him in the cargo hold of the plane. (I always made sure that the flight attendant knew there was a pet on board).
- After you check your pet in, go to the gate and watch him get loaded onto the plane - don't get onto the plane until you see your pet loaded on the plane.
- When you change planes, do the same. If your layover is an hour or more, check with the ground personnel about talking to the baggage folks. If any problems come up with your next plane (delays, etc.) check into getting your pet and rechecking him in when the flight is ready to continue.
- After arrival, your pet is delivered to the baggage claim area.
Preparation
- Pack a bag especially for your pet containing dishes, food, water, leashes, medication, treats, toys etc. It makes everything easier to find if it is consolidated.
- If your pet gets air sick or is easily upset, discuss medication with your vet FIRST. Most vets recommend against medicating a pet that is traveling in baggage.
- Make sure your pet is wearing a collar or harness with identification. Make sure that there will be someone available at the phone number listed on the ID tag. If you carry a cell phone with you, list that number so you can be called directly. Keep a current photo with you of the pet to use for identification purposes should the pet get lost.
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