The question I receive the most often is “What paperwork and shots do I need to bring my pet to Mexico.”
Because the rules change so frequently, I usually refer people to the El Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA) site, specifically the pages on When Traveling to Mexico With Your Pet.
As of February, 2011, for family dogs and cats, the basic rules are:
- You must present an original and a copy of a Health Certificate issued and signed by a licensed Veterinarian, from the country of origin of the pet. Your vet should have a copy of this form, but you can download it here. Warning: There have been reports that customs agents have been accepting only the original International Health Certificate which includes a folio number.
- This certificate must be dated no more than 10 days prior to entry to Mexico.
- Your pet will need a valid rabies vaccine unless they are under three months of age. Be sure that the dates of inoculation AND expiration of the vaccine are written on the form.
- Pets younger than 3 months cannot receive rabies vaccines, and are exempt from this requirement.
- Your pet will need to receive preventative treatment against internal and external parasites within six months prior to coming to Mexico. Be sure that the form clearly states that the pet has received this preventative treatment, the date of the treatment and that the pet is free from internal and external parasites.
- Your pet must be clinically healthy at examination. Again, be sure the form clearly states this information.
Although the only vaccine Mexico requires is rabies, most responsible pet owners will also want to have a discussion with their vet about administering these additional vaccines to their dogs and cats prior to departure:
Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, and Leptospirosis
Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (FVRCP)
I would like to thank MVZ Karina Gutiérrez Sánchez at SENASICA for her help with this all-important information.
MVZ Karina Gutiérrez Sánchez
Enlace de Alto Nivel de Responsabilidad
Dirección General de Inspección Fitozoosanitaria
Municipio Libre No. 377, Col. Santa Cruz Atoyac
Del. Benito Juárez, México, D.F., C.P.03310
Tel. Conm. (55) 59-05-1000, Ext. 51123
karina.gutierrez@senasica.gob.mx
I was told that you needed something from the USDA to enter Mexico with your dog. We take our’s down every year to Puerto Vallarta by air. We want to be sure we have everything needed. Is there some new form that is needed other then the vet’s form which we have done yearly?
Thanks so much for your help.
No, you do not need a usda certificate; however, be SURE your vet clearly indicates that the pet has been treated for internal and external parasites. Safe travels!
I was told by Alaska Air that dogs travelling to Mexico need a rabies shot within 12 months of travel, even if the shot is good for longer (ours is good for 3 years). The SAGARPA site does not state that it needs to be within 12 months, only the “date of application of the vaccine and the efectiveness therof” (google translation). Do you know if we need to vaccinate again even though it is still current in the US? Thank you.
Actually, it was the SENASICA site…
What Alaska Airlines requires has no relevance to what the Mexican government requires when you bring a pet into Mexico. The SENISICA site is exactly what you should be consulting if you are bringing your pet to Mexico via car or airline. Also remember that your health certificate needs to be no more than ten days old when you cross the border, and that treatment for internal and external parasites IS REQUIRED and must be noted on the certificate or on a separate, signed note from the vet on his/her letterhead.
Thanks for the update. We actually e-mailed SENISICA and they confirmed: as long as the vaccine is current then it is acceptable.
Alaska Air’s information was what Mexico requires, and obviosly their website is incorrect.
We’ve taken our dog to Mexico via Alaska Air 3 other times with no issues. The Guadalajara aiport has been the easiest; It took a little while longer getting in at the Mexico City airport….it was more official. Also leaving Mexico City our little Chihuahua had to go through a full body pat down!
I’m glad that you checked with SENISICA. I have received several horror stories about GDL Airport in the last 12 months or so, including refusing entry to pets without that internal and external parasite certification. Let us know how it goes, and safe travels!