ADOPTING A DOG FROM OAXACA
(+ taking it back home to the U.S. or Canada)
(This page was updated Jan 30, 2023)
Below is information about traveling by air with a dog. This is information we’ve compiled over 7 years of experience. Most of our experience is flying with dogs from Mexico to the United States. This guide speaks mostly to that; however, we will share additional information we have as well.
This page was updated on Jan 30, 2023. As rules and regulations are constantly changing, we recommend using this as a reference, and also checking current regulations with airlines and countries.
In this guide you will find specifics about how to plan your travel, how to prepare your animal, and what to expect during travel.
PLEASE CONSIDER
Generally, flying with a dog is possible, but requires appropriate coordination with airline reservations, vaccinations and paperwork. This requires time, dedicated planning and some flexibility from the part of the adopters.
It is helpful to adopt a dog from an organization who can help you with this process.
AIRLINES / REGULATIONS + FLIGHT ROUTES
Choosing your flight route and which airline you will fly with is perhaps currently the most complicated and crucial part of this process. Airlines have made their regulations significantly more strict during the pandemic. If you do not reserve your flight with the appropriate airline, you may not be able to travel back with your dog. Here are some VERY important regulations to consider BEFORE you book your flight:
Flight Schedule: Always reserve the shortest and most direct flight(s) possible. If more than one flight is unavoidable, consider an overnight layover to allow the option to have a break between flights.
Emotional Support animals are no longer permitted to fly on board with U.S. or Canadian airlines. This is a federal regulation, not an airline regulation.
If your dog + their carrier combined weigh less than 20 pounds, most airlines will allow the dog to ride in the plane in a carry-on bag that goes underneath the seat of the passenger in front of you. Each airline has their own specific regulations related to crate dimension. Regardless of crate size, dogs always need to have enough space to move around within the crate. This means only very small dogs (chihuahua type size) can fly in this way. Sometimes small puppies can also fly on-board, but they need to be able to stand and move in the crate. We have had airlines reject dogs because they could not stand fully in the crate. There is usually a fee of ~$100 - $200 usd for this service.
If your dog weighs more than 20 pounds, it will need to fly in a crate underneath the plane as a checked luggage/animal. During the pandemic, most U.S. and Canadian airlines (Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest and more) suspended permitting dogs to fly underneath the plane, and have still not reserved this service.
The airlines we know of that are currently allowing dogs to fly in crates underneath the plane are: Aeromexico, Volaris, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada and WestJet. Depending on where you live, you may to need to book a return flight with two separate airlines, or incorporate driving into your return plan.
For example: If you are flying to Portland, Oregon, you may want to book a OAX > LAX flight with Volaris, and then a LAX > PDX flight with Alaska Air.
If you are flying back to Vancouver, you may want to drive to the Oaxacan beach, Huatulco, for a direct WestJet flight to Vancouver, or fly Aeromexico OAX > CDMX and then Air Canada CDMX > YVR.
If you need a dog-friendly driver, to take you from Oaxaca City to Mexico City or Huatulco, so that you can catch a better flight option, we recommend Belem and her team. Her cell phone number is +52 1 951 123 4027 (you can tell her Caitlin of Caravana Canina referred you).
FLYING WITH DOG UNDER PLANE
Specific rules vary depending on your travel origin and destination, and the airline you are flying with. Check your specific airline’s rules (linked above) as soon as you begin to plan your trip. Below are general tips for flying with a pet.
Pet Reservation: You may need to add your dog to your flight reservation in advance (most airlines require you to do this via phone call), or at the airport during regular check-in (arrive about 3 hours early instead of the usual 2).
If you need to buy a crate, we suggest:
Innes stores. They have several different locations. Here is their shop location in the Reforma neighborhood.
Distribuidora el Tio stores. They also have multiple locations; here is their shop location by the Monumento.
For flight paperwork: The dog will need to have appropriate vaccines, documented in a vaccine book. If you are adopting from an organization, this is something they should provide for you. If you are rescuing directly from the street, you can coordinate vaccinations and the paperwork with our vet Laura Guzman: +52 1 951 333 7847.
You will also need a health and rabies certificate. This can be created by our vet Victor: +52 1 951 125 1015. In order for him to complete the paperwork, you’ll need to send photos of the vaccine book, a photo of your dog, your address in Oaxaca and in the U.S./Canada.
OTHER IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS + INFO
FOOD + WATER
Give your pet plenty of food and water the night before the flight, but, if your flight is during the day, do not feed them the morning of the flight. Make sure you walk them and give them plenty of time to go pee and poop BEFORE arriving at the airport. Pack a small travel water bowl and a small bag of dog food so they can eat and drink as soon as you arrive.
Almost all airports in the US have dog bathroom zones in certain terminals of the airport. Mexico City airport does not have a dog relief room. If you are traveling with a pet in carry-on and have a layover, research where these are in advance.
PAPERWORK
Have digital and physical copies of your animal’s paperwork, including their vaccination records, vet health certificate and any additional forms that may be required by the airline. You will need to present these forms when checking in, and possibly at other moments like security check, boarding the plane, etc.
QUARANTINE
Generally, dogs flying to the US and Canada do not need to be quarantined upon arrival (There is an exception for dogs flying to Hawaii. As an island they have more strict requirements).
Any dog flying should be healthy, dewormed, with no ticks and fleas, and with up-to-date vaccinations. In this way, the dog will be in optimal health, and there is no need for quarantine.
BANNED COUNTRIES / RABIES
In June 2021, the United States banned importing dogs from 114 countries, in an effort to prevent a rabies outbreak.
In June 2022, dogs from these countries will be allowed, incoming at specific ports of entry, with prior reservation. More information can be found here.
TRAVELING TO THE UK
The UK and other select countries in Europe require animals to be chipped, with their vaccination record digitally connected to their chip.
Apparently you can order this chip online and a vet in Mexico City can connect it with the corresponding vaccination records. We have not personally done this but have two friends who have.
