All animals, including service animals, are subject to requirements for entry into the United States.
The U.S. Consulate in Tijuana reminds travelers that those planning to travel with pets must comply with a series of entry requirements.
In a social media post, they stated that all animals, including service animals, are subject to requirements for entry into the United States.
Regulations for the importation of pets and wildlife aim to protect public health and animal welfare.
According to the website of the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), depending on the destination, pets may need to meet both state and federal requirements.
In the case of dogs, APHIS states that its Veterinary Service only has requirements if the dog comes from a country affected by foot-and-mouth disease or screwworm larvae.
If traveling from Mexico to the United States, pet owners must present a certificate of absence of this worm, which can be issued by a qualified veterinarian authorized to sign on behalf of the official government veterinarian.
The Mexican government maintains a directory of veterinary clinics and hospitals where veterinarians authorized in Mexico to issue these certificates can be found.
As for animals such as cats, ferrets, amphibians, rabbits, and rodents, APHIS does not have special animal health requirements for their importation into the United States from abroad.
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Other types of pets, such as hedgehogs, reptiles, and birds, require various permits listed according to their specific needs.
If the animal in question does not appear on the APHIS list, it may not qualify as a pet and, therefore, could be subject to other import requirements.
Finally, those traveling with pet birds or any exotic animals may need to cooperate with agencies such as the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Source: sandiegored
