Bringing your pets along, calmly.

Last updated: June 2026

Mexico makes bringing your dog or cat fairly simple, and Mérida is wonderfully pet-friendly. Here's how to prepare for a calm trip — and what to keep in mind if you'll ever travel back to the US.

Pet move checklist

• Up-to-date rabies and core vaccinations
• Recent health certificate from your vet
• Comfortable, airline- or car-appropriate crate
• Food, water, and familiar comfort items for the journey
• A plan for rest stops and overnight stays

Crossing the border with pets

Requirements are usually straightforward, but they do change from time to time. We'll help you understand what's typically needed and how to prepare your pet for travel day.

Paperwork and vet visits before you go

Most pets travel with up-to-date core vaccinations (including rabies) and a recent health certificate from your veterinarian. Requirements can change and may vary by how you travel, so schedule a vet visit a few weeks before your move to confirm everything is current and to gather the right documents. Keep originals and copies together with your own travel paperwork. If you're flying, check your airline's specific crate and booking rules early, as pet spots can be limited.

Making travel day comfortable

Whether you're driving or flying, comfort is everything. Use a well-sized, airline- or car-appropriate crate your pet has had time to get used to. Bring familiar items — a favorite blanket, a toy, their usual food — to reduce anxiety. Plan rest stops if you're driving, keep water accessible, and never leave animals in a hot vehicle. Once you arrive, give them a quiet space to decompress; most pets settle into the new rhythm faster than their humans do.

Entering Mexico with pets (the good news)

Under current rules, Mexico generally does not require a formal health certificate for dogs and cats entering by land — your pet's up-to-date rabies vaccination is the key document officials may ask for. On arrival, animals may be briefly inspected for signs of illness or parasites. If you're flying, note that airlines often have their own requirements (frequently a health certificate issued within about 7–10 days of travel), so check with your carrier early.

Planning to travel back to the US later?

This is the part many people miss. Bringing a dog back into the US now involves extra steps, including an online CDC dog-import form and — due to current screwworm precautions — a recent inspection/certification from an accredited veterinarian in Mexico, plus a microchip. Cats have lighter requirements. If round trips are part of your life, we'll help you plan for this from the start so it's never a last-minute scramble.