Tips on Adopting a Homeless Pet from Mexico

 

Animal lovers who have traveled to Mexico (and other places in Central America and the Caribbean) on vacation have noticed the many homeless dogs and cats living on the streets of cities and towns of all sizes.

If you’ve ever thought about how you can rescue one (or more) of these stray animals and bring them home to the U.S., you’re not alone. Many Americans choose to adopt homeless pets from countries like Mexico. 
 
How do potential adopters learn about available pets and figure out how to bring them to the U.S.?  Here are some facts and resources to help you get started.

According to the Humane Society International, the costs of transporting an animal across international borders can range from $150 to $2,000, depending on the circumstances. They recommend that potential adopters check their country’s rules and regulations about bringing animals home.

There are important considerations such as getting rescue dogs or cats vaccinated and providing proof of vaccination (especially for rabies), as well as quarantine issues to consider. For the U.S., the website of the CDC has lots of great information.

If bringing a street dog or cat home from your next vacation sounds a little too spur of the moment for you, there are many organizations that facilitate the adoption of homeless Mexican animals into the U.S.

Here are just a few to check out if you’re considering adoption:

Animal Rescuers Without Borders (A.R.W.O.B.):

This organization operates out of San Diego, California and works primarily with stray dogs and cats from Baja, Mexico.  They make frequent trips there and conduct organized rescue missions to bring adoptable dogs and cats to the U.S.

Barb’s Dog Rescue:

Operating out of Arizona and Mexico, this organization focuses on rescuing dogs from the streets of Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, not far from the Arizona border, and finding them new forever homes with U.S. adopters.

Dog Rescue Without Borders:

The mission of Dog Rescue Without Borders is to save street dogs and dogs from high-kill shelters in the Tijuana, Mexico area and find them permanent, loving homes in both Mexico and the United States.  They work out of San Diego, California, just across the border from Tijuana.

Rocky Point Animal Adoption Center:

Homeless dogs and cats from the Puerto Peñasco area of Mexico are rescued by the RPAAC and brought to their sanctuary in Mexico, where they live while waiting for adoption.  They also have an adoption center in the Phoenix, Arizona area that has many puppies available for adoption.

Compassion Without Borders:

CWOB, out of Santa Rosa, California, rescues dogs from Mexico and also from California’s Central Valley.  Not only do they rescue Mexican dogs and bring them back to California, they also provide much-needed spay/neuter, veterinary care, and even humane euthanasia services to dogs remaining in Mexico.