Doggy Due Diligence Into or Out of Vallarta-Nayarit Adam Garcia - Timothy Real Estate Group
go to original March 21, 2017

There have always been strict requirements when crossing the border with pets. This is nothing new in Puerto Vallarta. They have not always been enforced to the extent we might expect, but the regulations have always existed. It is up to us, as pet owners, to find out what those policies are. Naturally, many of us want to get this information from our vet but the test of time has shown us that veterinarians aren’t any more informed than their clients. To find out what you need to bring Fido and Fifi into or out of the country, it’s necessary to go to the source. These requirements are subject to change, so we can’t tell you exactly what you will need but we can give you a general idea.

Recently at the Puerto Vallarta airport, travelers have been stopped for not having proper papers. We’ve discovered that some changes took place in January of 2017. For those who go back and forth, they must take responsibility to inform themselves without being complacent, expecting consistency in these laws. There’s good reason for this; sometimes animals are affected by viruses or pests and need extra protection. If a veterinarian is called to Customs to check the animal and sign off, there will be a charge and it won’t be cheap. Consider this doctor has to interrupt their day and make a special trip, which costs them in time, as well as money.

Our best recommendation is to call the airline you are flying with and ask what you will be required to have for your dog or cat, flying to Puerto Vallarta. Keep in mind, ports of entry can have different rules. For example, if you are flying to Cancun, there may be variations on what paperwork you need. Get proper documentation from your vet on either side of the border, and when traveling to Puerto Vallarta, ask if your vet has forms in Spanish. Some clinics will be able to accommodate your request and you won’t know unless you ask. Veterinarians in the US and Canada often have documents in Spanish, Mandarin and other languages. People have been traveling with pets for many years. It’s nothing new.

Don’t argue. If you get stopped by Customs, and asked for papers for Fritz or Mimi, answer questions the best of your knowledge and SMILE; it’s contagious.

Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.

Read related: Import Health Requirements of Mexico for Dogs and Cats Exported from the United States

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