Hi everyone. Just wanted to ask if anyone here has flown dogs from Cancun to Canada(Vancouver)? I have never done this outside Europe, so its all new to me. What I mainly worry about is that I have gotten different info depending whom I have spoken to in customs(Cancun) and airlines.... Some say I would have to hire a customs agent(which will cost from 4000 pesos and up...!!!) to deal with everything - but the airlines has the story that I just show up at the check-in desk and check the dogs in(like back home). Im flying on a Saturday, so dont know if there are any differences from weekdays etc. I have all the necessary documents, vet letters confirming they are healthy and fit enough to travel etc. Their passports are up to date and so are all the shots/vaccinations. If anyone has done this, feel free to give advice PM if its more comfortable
I know some one that did this a couple of weeks ago flying to Vancouver. I have a vague story for the difficulties that they had. I guess they had heard that there is a form that needs to be picked up at the airport and filled out in advance. They went there (in advance) and where told that this form has not been required for at least a couple of years. Upon arrival at check in, they presented the form from their vet stating that all shots are in order. The check in person said “sorry, this needs to be in English”. They mentioned that where coming from a Spanish speaking country. The check in lady was adamant and would not let them board with out the vets form being in English AND the secondary for from the airport!?! They went over to ask for a second time about this secondary for only to be reassured that it NO LONGER EXISTS and the check in person was wrong in asking for it and that the vet form DID NOT need to be in English. But the airport agent said that they had no jurisdiction over the check in agents and would not walk over to tell then. The person then went back to check in and finally was able to convince the check in agent that the form does not exist, but the check in agent still insisted that the vets form had to be in English. After a back and forth, the people I know where fortunately able to have their vet fax over the form in English to the airport check in counter area. Only then where they able to board the plane. Upon arriving in Vancouver there was no concern about what language the form was in, the person there just looked at/removed the stickers that where on it, but had no concern as to what it said. I am sorry, I do not know what airline they where flying with. Bottom line, even though I think the check in agent was wrong, you may want to get your vet form in English if possible.
If the dogs are flying as unaccompanied cargo then you need a Customs broker for sure. If you will be on the plane with them (and they are in the baggage compartment) then it may be different, I don't know about that. A month ago I flew a dog unaccompanied from the RAP shelter to Boston. Customs broker fees were $400 MXP, not $4000. Airlines have different ways of dealing with this, some are nicer and more organized about it than others. Delta cargo is really nice to deal with. If the dogs are flying cargo you have to bring the dog and the kennel to the airport a day or two before you fly so they can be weighed and to have the waybill prepared. If you don't do this preflight paperwork the dogs won't fly. But I really don't know if it's the same procedure if you will be on the plane with them. You need to find out. PM me your contact info and I will email you the names of a couple of people who have done this many times, they will be able to help. Also let me know which airline you are on.
@LTL: Ugh... that seems to be the usual BS here in Mexico. @RG: I will be flying with them, so they are NOT going as cargo. Im flying with WebJet and its all clear on THEIR behalf - the ones giving me all the different stories are the ones here in Cancun(surprise surprise)... WestJet staff told me that the Vet-papers are ok if in Spanish, but LTL`s story makes me very unsure. Guess it depends on if the check-in person has a good day or not? 4000 pesos was what I was told by Customs when I called them(IF needed... They couldn't even give an exact answer to that) Now, they said I do NOT need any pre-flight visit since Im joining them on the flight, but at the same time they couldn't specify if a customs-agent is needed... Basically, some 45 minutes of telephone calls didnt really give me any answers. I sent you a PM.
The main thing you need is the proper up to date health certificates and proof of vaccines. And those things do not need to be in English, at least in all the time I've been working with RAP here I haven't heard of that req. Check with the people I sent you email addresses for, they will know what's what. Good luck.
Why does everything have to be so darn complicated? After taking Dezzie back to Philly with me last month, all I needed was his Rabbies Certificate. No letters, no Health Certs...and the Dept of Agriculture just looked in the bag to see if he was alive. Why can't the three Countries be on somewhat of the same page? Sorry you can't get a straight answer, but I am sure everything in the end will be fine. Good Luck!!!
Mexico, Canada and the US have basically the same health reqs for the animals coming in. The issue is that animals have different reqs depending on if they are traveling in cabin, in baggage but with you on the plane too (accompanied) or as unaccompanied cargo. Then Mexico doesn't want animals in cargo to come into the country on weekends. Then each airline has different reqs.
