Lukeville crossing, Today!

Crossed at Lukeville this morning, about 8am. Currently sitting in San Carlos at Totonaka, with very shaky wifi.
The US side didn't even have a person there. Got the green light, asked to stop because of our very visible two dogs. In came 2 Aduana, and one uniformed female other. I said, 2 dogs, 1 cat. Mexico has never cared about the cat, but today they did!
Realize the people involved, we never argue, talk nicely, and try to be agreeable.
"I need the rabies permits for the dogs and cat." (not health certificates) We went in circles, don't have it for the cat, not required in the US, never before here, etc. All VERY nicely, and calmly. Went in circles. She went through the fridge/freezer with me identifying everything, and that all were cooked. They were fascinated by the steam buns, thought they were cheese.
Back to the cat. I finally said that I didn't think rabies were available for cats. Wrong, she identified herself as a vet, and we believed her. Asked if SHE could give him rabies, no, it' against the law for her to do it. She finally asked to see him, and I opened the bathroom door, and out walked our 17 pound Turkish Angora Cat. It was love. All of them had to talk to him, and she said that she'd issue me a warning, and we'd be OK this year, but not in the future. Fine. I held him while she took a photo and rubbed his face. She did not want pictures of our two dogs, she said she had them from last year. Last year it was a guy. I signed a paper that said I had been warned, and was given a card sized paper than issued my warning. It was based on my Drivers License, not my passport, although I offered it.
Fridge/freezer- was told that NOTHING can enter Mexico-all meats, dairy, cheese, fruit vegies, and given a card with this website: www.sargapa.gov.mx The brochure says "no es contra la ley trierlos, es por el bien de Mexico."
I haven't checked it yet, tomorrow, Mazatlan.
At San Ementario, the trucks were backed up 3+ miles. There were no light colors, they looked at our papers, and sent us on. The place just south of Caborca gave us a green light and were asleep.
It took about 10 minutes for all three stops, we'll do it again.

navegator
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
Going in to the US is one thing, going in to Mexico is a totally diferent animal
we are stating that Mexican authorities have requierements that may or may not be implemented by the person that is at the border cheking vehicles and persons comming in to Mexico.

Rabies is one of those requirements on CATS and DOGS going in to Mexico if the agent at the border wants to see the documents, and you do not have them, two things can happen:

You come to an agreement on how much the soda is going that day. (mordida)

Or they quarenteen the animal. (mordida) to get the animal out.

Most of the time they could care less about a gringo with cats and/or dogs, they are interested in the Mexicans coming in that have license plates from further south, they will get the soada money out of them.

They know that in the US we obbey laws a little bit more, therefore your dogs and cats will have current shots for rabies, and do not bother with the paper work, there are other fish in the pond.

navegator
Talleyho69
Moderator
Oct 24, 2014
Here's a link to US Border Protection. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/56/~/pets---cats
To enter the US, cats need NO vaccinations at all.
We were not asked about animal food.
We still like Lukeville, both ways, and yes, it's their country, they can and do make their own laws, and if we don't choose to follow them, we shouldn't come.
This statement is being while sitting in Mazatlan.
hypoxia
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
I spent many years flying from the USA to Mexico and Canada, sometimes daily. Customs from all 3 countries react to the current politics. If the US changes the meat labeling requirements for imports, Mexico and Canada react by confiscation of meat. I can think of a number of actions over the years that seem petty but can be traced to a policy change.

When I returned to the US through Lukeville a couple of days ago there were Zero vehicles ahead of me, I just drove up to the officer. How does that compare to Nogales? :B
Tequila
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
This why I always cross at Nogales. Crossed with a small caravan coupel of days ago. one had 60 lbs of dog food, 2 large German Sheperds. No hassles.
roslyn123
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
Talleyho-thanks for your Lukeville crossing report. It's nice to get a feel for what's going on this year at the border.:):):):):)
rocmoc
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
Here near Nogales, AZ Rabies has been rapid so should be the same SOB. Both of our cats have had their Rabies shots. Most of the cases here have been from Bats which now have migrated back to Mexico. Your cat should have a Rabies shot! We have both Rabies papers & metal tags issued by Santa Cruz County. The shot is not Required here if an indoor cat but love the critters too much to take the chance that they could get out or a Bat could get in (which has happened). Our cats are indoor & do travel SOB with us.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
moisheh
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
We have crossed @ Nogales for over 20 years. Never been asked about the cat or meat. Never heard of anyone else having those problems @ Nogales. We will never cross @ Lukeville. We do not bring much meat other than cold cuts ( Kubasa!). Always have lots of cheese. Never bring fruits or veggies. We are in the land of produce!

Moisheh
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Oct 23, 2014
Cats are required to have a rabies vaccine in the US.
You are very lucky that they did not do their job to the letter of the law.
In the US, technically, even crossing a state border line requires a health certificate.
The Health Certificate includes the vet verifying that the rabies certificate is up to date.
You might learn that the hard way if you ever try to board a flight with the cat and not have the proper documentation.
Personally, I would get the vaccine done while in Mexico. If you get stopped coming back into the US you could always say that you lost the paperwork and so had to get him vaccinated in Mexico.
navegator
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
I looked into the www. sargapa.gov.mx it is the Agricultural, Inland Fisheries and all that deals with farm animals, catle, pigs, etc

That site does not have anything on domestic animals but you are directed to another site that has the requirements for bringing dometic animals in to Mexico.

Only dogs and cats are considered domestic animals that can be brought in with a certificate of rebeis vaccination, the certificate has to be from a vet and has to be on the vets stationary with the vets licence number, ETC.

Each animal has to have a separate certificate and at least have 2 copies of each, and it is a requierement.

We have travelled with dogs and cats, and we always make a doggy or cat passport, that includes all of the documents that might be requiered as in rabies, distemper, worms, parvo, etc. vaccines and inoculations together with a foto of the animal, never asked for them but had yust in case.

This agency also controlls all agricultural and all animal meat products, the State of Sonora is a meat producer and they want to keep all catle and pork related deceasses out or in check, the same goes for the State of Cihuahaua.

The max amount of "DRY" food is 50 pounds per family, no mention of canned food.

navegator
robatthelake
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
Not much different than what has been reported before for this crossing! Personally We prefer Nogales !

Incidentaly They Do have the right to restrict whatever they want ....It is after all Their Country...I wonder how much hassle America and Canada could come up with if they set their minds to it!

Funny how We get so caught up in Our Own self importance that We forget that We are not the only People on the Planet!

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