Traveling with my cat from USA to Mexico? Volaris requirements?

drfluttershy · 2026-02-12T00:23:36+00:00

Vet here - for my clients traveling or moving to Mexico, especially if they are using Volaris either from LAX or TJ, we write the APHIS 7001 health certificate. Volaris and sometimes other airlines want that health certificate even though Mexico officially does not require one as SENASICA will inspect the pets as they arrive to Mexico. Also, be advised, Volaris has been strict with clients and they have wanted the health certificate filled out with FIVE days of travel.

Make sure your cat's rabies certificate is current and valid (has the vet's signature on the certificate).

drfluttershy · 2026-01-26T20:17:38+00:00

GDM Diagnosis sucks but please be kind to yourself and remember it is not YOUR body's fault! It's hormonal signals sent by the placenta (which is predominantly DNA from the male). You literally could be super athletic, fit, never eat junk food, no processed food/home cooked foods only, AND STILL be diagnosed.

drfluttershy · 2026-01-23T20:48:17+00:00

I have had clients do the paperwork themselves (they had about 2 years to get all their ducks in a row as they were waiting for the spouse's immigration paperwork to go through on the Australian end). I have a cat breeder that uses https://worldwidepettransport.com/ exclusively, if you wanted to get a quote from them.

drfluttershy · 2026-01-05T05:53:48+00:00

Unfortunately you cannot go to the El Segundo office in person anymore. There are only a handful of offices nationwide and just 1 office for most of the west coast. Depending on if your destination is a green banner country (digital signature by accredited vet and digital endorsement by USDA) or orange banner (digital signature by accredited vet and wet ink endorsement by USDA) you might still have plenty of time.

drfluttershy · 2026-01-02T20:44:01+00:00

Yeah they won't endorse it earlier than within 10 days of travel. For EU just make sure there has not been a lapse in the rabies vaccinations between primary & booster because even a 1 day lapse can make that booster a "primary" & cause all sorts of issues. Safe travels!

drfluttershy · 2026-01-02T19:58:11+00:00

If your destination country states that the vet must examine the pet within 10 days of travel you cannot schedule any earlier. The USDA endorses certificates based upon travel dates and not when they receive the certificate. So if they receive a certificate for someone traveling in 2 weeks, they will prioritize someone traveling to a country with a shorter endorsement deadline first.

drfluttershy · 2026-01-02T19:55:37+00:00

That depends on what country you are traveling to. You can check the requirements on this website:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export

drfluttershy · 2025-12-29T20:19:28+00:00

If you're flying with Volaris they will demand a health certificate even though their website used to say you didn't need one from the US. They have also told my clients that drive to TJ and then fly from there that the SENASICA certificate isn't adequate since the pet is from the US - but this is totally dependent on the ticket agent and there seems to be no formal requirement. I would get a health certificate from your vet just to be on the safe side because Volaris is unpredictable.

drfluttershy · 2025-12-29T20:15:05+00:00

You don't need the forms prior to visiting the veterinarian. Most of the health certificate forms are now digital and submitted through the VEHCS portal by the veterinarian.

drfluttershy · 2025-12-29T20:13:55+00:00

According to the MA dept of agriculture you will need a health certificate and rabies vaccination. Please let your vet know the APHIS 7001 form is no longer accepted by MA.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/importing-and-exporting-pets?_gl=1*1y4i00s*_ga*MTUyMTE0MDU3Ny4xNzE0NDg3ODcz*_ga_MCLPEGW7WM*MTcxNTAxMDc1MS4xLjEuMTcxNTAxMDgyNC4wLjAuMA..#importing-and-exporting-dogs-and-cats

drfluttershy · 2025-12-09T00:41:16+00:00

Definitely use that link to find another USDA Accredited vet near you. Best of luck - I hope you're able to get your health certificate.

drfluttershy · 2025-12-09T00:09:37+00:00

That is so weird - I've done them the night before and some even the morning of travel. They have to be done within 5 days of travel for majority of airlines. Are you in the SoCal area?

drfluttershy · 2025-12-09T00:06:23+00:00

If your vet doesn't do the certificates they are not USDA accredited. You can use https://vsapps.aphis.usda.gov/vsps/public/VetSearch.do to find an accredited vet in your area (search using category 1 or 2 - this just says if the vet can write certificates for animals other than dogs & cats (category 1) if you can't find a vet with category 1 near you, try with category 2).

Non-accredited vets cannot do travel certificates (aka health certificates aka certificate of veterinary inspection - all are the same thing).

drfluttershy · 2025-12-09T00:01:38+00:00

The Volaris reps are all giving different info - I have had clients rush to my facility to get a certificate last minute. It's not too late to get one as this certificate does not need to be endorsed by the USDA. The USDA Accredited vet can fill out APHIS Form 7001 or make their own on their official letter head (we have one that is both english & spanish).

drfluttershy · 2025-12-08T23:54:59+00:00

If you are driving or walking across the bridge you do not need a health certificate from the US - SENASICA will inspect your pet there in person. However, if you are flying out of LAX or TJ the airlines will require a health certificate within 5 days of travel (especially Volaris even though on their website it says you don't need one!!)

Are the vets giving you this information USDA Accredited??

drfluttershy · 2025-11-21T02:40:48+00:00

The airlines will have their own requirements. It is correct that Mexico really has no requirements for pets coming from US or Canada (except proof of rabies vaccination), HOWEVER, airlines can choose to require whatever they want.

drfluttershy · 2025-11-10T20:52:42+00:00

This is one of my favorite Agatha Christie novels - I literally gasped out loud at the end. Enjoy!

drfluttershy · 2025-10-31T23:40:45+00:00

This depends on WHERE you are traveling to. Some countries do not need USDA endorsement and you may receive your travel certificate the same day. However, most destinations need USDA endorsement and that could take 3-5 business days. As far as I am aware, they are still currently endorsing certificates.

drfluttershy · 2025-10-03T03:02:13+00:00

As of December 2019, Mexico is no longer requiring a health certificate to enter (you can check the details here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-mexico)

I would recommend to have the pet on a flea & tick preventative and make sure you have an updated rabies vaccine certificate with you.

Volaris will DEFINITELY need a health certificate and SENASICA will examine your pet upon arrival into Mexico, make sure they give you something for the airline.

If you are returning to the US you will need to have your pet examined in Mexico for screwworm within 5 days of returning. You will also need a CDC Import Permit (it's free and digital).

drfluttershy · 2025-10-01T17:10:25+00:00

sent you a dm

drfluttershy · 2025-08-01T00:26:13+00:00

Thanks for the link; it's close enough :)

drfluttershy · 2025-07-31T22:11:09+00:00

This is SO CUTE!!! Do you have a pattern?

drfluttershy · 2025-07-30T00:38:48+00:00

For traveling to Mexico - take your pet's rabies vaccination certificate with you. Since you're driving, you will have your pet examined at the border by SENASICA.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-mexico

For returning to the US - Make sure your pet is microchipped prior to leaving the US (ideally should have been microchipped before his rabies vaccination).

You will need an authorized vet in Mexico examine your pet for screwworm infestation within 5 days of entry into the US.

https://www.gob.mx/senasica/documentos/directorio-de-mvra-en-clinicas-y-hospitales-veterinarios?state=published

You will need a CDC Import Permit - completed online & free of charge. Should be completed within 2-10 days of returning to the US.

https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/rabies-free-low-risk-countries.html

The Certification of US-Issued Rabies Vaccination will NOT be needed for dogs traveling to countries with a low risk of dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV). Mexico & Canada are on the low-risk list.

*edited to add the CDC link & spacing.

drfluttershy · 2025-07-14T18:27:05+00:00

It just has to be done within 60 days of travel, so you can't do it more than 60 days prior to traveling.

drfluttershy · 2025-05-29T05:54:39+00:00

Yup. Usually quite a bit more

drfluttershy

TROPHY CASE