Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Arriving in Z with dog

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

Ballarose — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 00:59:00 +0000

IM SO FRIGGIN EXCITED!!!! 22 Day, 4 hours and two minutes and we will be there! Thanks all for all your help.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

LadyM in Zihua — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 14:55:35 +0000

Always puts a big smile on Paul's face when it is green. We have nothing to hide, and we pay duty on what we bring over the amount allowed, but get sort of tired of the hassle, the mess it makes, and the time involved.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

Dione — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 05:57:53 +0000

My husband and I love the time share people at the airport. We know them all. We have never taken them up on their offers. But we are kind to all of them and get hugs from them when we fly in and when we leave we hang out with them and talk politics.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

Dione — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 05:41:50 +0000

I realize that after I post this that I will have to knock on wood (many times over) . In 20 years I have only hit RED once. My husband thinks that I am the lucky charm. 12 years straight all GREEN.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

LadyM in Zihua — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 05:20:45 +0000

Well, this was not the first time for sure for RED. It was the first time anyone was very nice at all. Last time they actually tore up one of the zippers on a suitcase and it would not close again EVER. When I asked what to do to collect for the damage they told me to talk to Alaska Airlines. I politely told them Alaska Airlines did not tear up the suitcase. Before they ever touched the suitcase I asked if I could open it as it had a delicate zipper. She said no, that I could not touch anything. That is how that went down. Whole different kind of experience this time.

And several times in the past I could not close a suitcase after they were finished. I just threw them on the cart and went on. Happened differently this time. Good for them. And for me.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

dhunsber — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 02:47:04 +0000

I've gone Red a couple of times at ZIH, too, and each time the folks there were courteous and IMO overly careful about not messing up our ever-so-carefully-packed luggage.

Glad to know that you are back home!

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

kristi in kc — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 01:21:58 +0000

We've never had the slightest issue bringing our dog. We have all of our paperwork in order (certificate of good health, separate rabies certificate and a fecal float report) and the gentleman has always been super nice to us. Yes, it takes a few minutes for him to type everything up, so you'll be one of the last ones out but it's not a big deal at all. We kind of dig it, all the craziness (time share salespeople pouncing on the newly arrived) is out of the way once you are leaving. We take an unopened bag of food with us and we've never had a problem bringing it back with us thru Houston.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

LadyM in Zihua — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 04:31:18 +0000

We were lucky and got that darned red light today also. Even though we declare and pay a goodly amount for the things we want to bring we still do sometimes push red. Had a nice conversation with Jorge doing the inspection. And I am serious. He was a nice professional guy and I would say one of the younger ones (30's) and was a very effieicnt inspector. I hope to have conversations with him even when I push green.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

zihuadreamer — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 21:02:12 +0000

I always bring dog food and treats, never travel without it. I always seem to get the red light, the people checking my luggage have questioned the food and once tried to take it. Just refer them to the inspector, he'll tell them it's for the dog and you'll all be on your way.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

Atlanta Dave — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:45:50 +0000

That would be "dog food". Damn autocorrect!

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

Atlanta Dave — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:45:09 +0000

Any problems getting a taxi with a dog and 4 suitcases?
No problem.

Anyone bring in dog food?
We've been successful many times in bringing dogwood into Mexico, although I don't know if it is officially "legal", since we did not volunteer that we had it (and they didn't ask). You cannot take it back to the U.S., however, if you have leftovers. They will ask if they see you with a dog.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

Ballarose — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:33:14 +0000

Thanks everyone for your very helpful replies. A couple of more questions

Any problems getting a taxi with a dog and 4 suitcases?

Anyone bring in dog food? I saw on the Senasica website that you are allowed 20 kg unopened bag yet other places say not allowed. My dog food has ingredient listings in Spanish (along with at least 10 other languages). So confused

No, it's not (reply)

Talley Ho — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 23:29:54 +0000

Nope. One, don't remember which, is a killed vaccine, and one live. (Mexico vs US, not the first rabies vaccine vs the ones after)

Vaccinated our La Ropa dog and her "sister" at the same time here, when both had had their rabies before. California would not recognize them because they were the wrong kind. Contacted the manufacturer, they explained that several states did not recognize the vaccine, even though most did.

Ended up revaccinating both of them, as much as we tried not to.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

zihuadreamer — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 22:55:36 +0000

I have never gotten a USDA stamp before going to Mexico, Europe yes, Mexico no. Current rabies, internal and external parasite test, and a letter stating your pet is healthy, it's easy.
Check out http://jaltembabaylife.com/pet-travel#mexico-pet-regs, has lots of info or Bringfido.com either has all the info you'll need. I usually end up with about 7 pages of stuff from my Vet, but they are extremely thorough about paperwork. Last year there was another woman entering Zihua from the States with a large dog, she had one little piece of paper, looked like it had been in her pocket for a week and they let her in.

They do check when entering in Zihua, I agree, be prepared to be the last one out of customs. Make copies of your forms and have them somewhere safe, they check on the way of the country.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

Quadra Paul — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 22:19:39 +0000

It's the same vaccine. (1yr and 3yr) The difference is when you give a puppy his first shot, the recommend you get a booster after a year. After that it's every 3 years.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

Atlanta Dave — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 17:16:36 +0000

If you enter MX via Mexico city, add an extra 60 minutes to make your connection to your Zihua flight. (We would normally give it an hour without dogs). They don't have their act together regarding how to handle dogs, and even with the correct paperwork in hand, it will take you at least an extra 45 minutes for them to get things ironed out, which includes palpation of your perro to make sure he's not a mule. Drop me a note if you're coming in through Mexico city, and I'll walk you through the particulars.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

Helene — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 07:11:21 +0000

Now the 3 year is fine.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

Canadian Rainbirds — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 04:02:53 +0000

And please note: As far as I know, Mexico only recognises the one year rabies vaccine--unless they have changed the rules recently.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

Helene — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 02:40:47 +0000

When you fly into Zih they check. They always check!

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

jr — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 02:37:39 +0000

When I traveled with my cat I needed a valid USDA Health Certificate issued within 10 days of my arrival into Mexico, and documentation showing my animal had current vaccinations (such as rabies), and was parasite free. It didn't take me a tremendously long time to get through Mexican Customs, but they did check my animal and all of my paperwork.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

jrad — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 02:27:07 +0000

Just to let you know, they have several more requirements for border states. FYI, we had to pay about $168.00 for a USDA approval form, and when we crossed the border at McAllen, no one checked our paperwork. Nobody at the Mexican border even asked about our dog!! Contact your local Mexican Consulate and see what is required! It just might save you some major problems. Do your homework, and best of luck to you.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

Helene — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 01:16:28 +0000

Oh and the certificate for the dog has to be done within 10 days of arrival.

Arriving in Z with dog (reply)

Helene — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 01:15:14 +0000

You need a valid certificate from your vet in Canada with information on rabies and fecal test. When you arrive you have to fill out a form that says you are bringing in an animal. Present it to customs and they will check it and give you your papers for here. Be prepared to be one of the last people to leave the airport from that flight as it takes a while,

Arriving in Z with dog

Ballarose — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 00:54:41 +0000

Can someone tell me what to expect at the airport on arrival with our small dog. She will be travelling in the cabin with us. We are arriving January 3 for 3 months and this is the first time we have travelled internationally with her.