Tips for Traveling with Your Pet to Mexico

When you bring your pet to Mexico, keep these tips in mind; they will help make the journey as smooth as possible.

• 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 airport personnel.

Most airlines will accept the dog as excess baggage, meaning that the dog will travel on the same plane as you as long as the total weight of the dog plus the kennel is less than 100lbs. If the combined weight is greater than that, the dog usually will be shipped as cargo. At this point, the dog may or may not travel on the same plane. The fee will be based on either the weight or the dimensions of the kennel (or both), and the pet may or may not arrive the same day as you do. This is why you must be EXTREMELY accurate and complete in your questions.

General Suggestions for Bringing Your Pet to Mexico

Getting to the Airport:

• Get to the airport early. Checking pets in can take time (you must have a health certificate from a veterinarian for the pet; the airlines don't always check this, but then again they sometimes do). 
• Drop off your pet and pet carrier at the desk. Someone will be called to load your pet into 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 handlers. If any problems come up with your next plane (delays, etc.) ask whether you could reach your pet and then recheck your pet when the flight is ready to continue. 
• After arriving at your final destination, your pet is delivered to the baggage claim area.

Prepare in Advance

Pack a bag especially for your pet containing dishes, food, water, leashes, medication, treats, toys, etc. It makes it easier to find if everything is consolidated.

• If your pet gets air sick or is easily upset, discuss medication with your veterinarian FIRST. Most veterinarians do not recommend medicating a pet that is travelling in the baggage area of a plane. 
• 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 your pet to use for identification purposes should the pet get lost.

For More Information

To get an updated airline transportation booklet, send $1.00 to: ADOA, 1654 Columbia Turnpike, Castleton, NY 12033 (518) 477-8469. Additionally, the Air Transport Association has published a press release on this topic (written in conjunction with the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Humane Association).

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