Adoption Vacations

Adopting a dog in Mexico and bringing it back through customs in Canada or the USA is legal and not difficult. We provide all the necessary paperwork.

If you are planning to adopt while on vacation, it’s important to make these arrangements in advance:

• Submit an adoption application to us and get pre-approved.
• Check with the airline for their pet transport policy and fees before booking. Many airlines do not transport pets. Most airlines do not transport pets in summer or during Christmas.
• Book the pet crate for your return flight as early as possible. Space for animals is often limited. Most airlines will let you cancel a crate booking without penalty.
• Decide if you want to bring a pet crate with you or buy one in Mazatlan. Pet crates for the cargo hold MUST BE airline approved. Petco Mexico sells appropriate crates.

• Make all advance arrangements (see above).
• Contact us 1 week before your trip to schedule adoption logistics.
• We can bring you to the sanctuary to pick a dog, or we can help you preselect one online.
• If you are staying in pet-friendly accommodation, the dog can stay with you.
• DO NOT wait until just before you leave to start the adoption process or select a dog. We need a minimum of one week to prepare a dog for transport and to complete the required paperwork. More time is appreciated.

• For pet-friendly hotels and vacation rentals, see: Bring Fido
• For longer term rentals, see Mazatlan Snowbird Rentals and Housesit

We encourage you to select a dog based on you and your family’s lifestyle, For example:

• If you have a very active lifestyle, a young energetic dog would be a good fit.
• If you are a couch potato, consider adopting a senior dog.
• If you have young kids, we will help you select a friendly, easy-going dog.

Please don’t select a dog based on appearance alone.

Our volunteers interact with and observe the dogs on a daily basis. We see them interact with other dogs, with people and on walks. We will share everything we know about a dog’s temperament.

We do not routinely cat test dogs, however we can do so on request.

Unless a dog was born at the sanctuary or has been in a foster home, we have no way of knowing if the dog is house trained. The majority of our rescued dogs were once family pets. Many of them are house trained, but we cannot guarantee this.

Dogs that are not well socialized are not placed for adoption. Instead our volunteers work with them or, when possible, they spend time in a foster home. Some dogs blossom and become adoptable quickly. Some dogs take longer. A few may become long-term sanctuary residents.

We are a rescue organization and the majority of our animals were abandoned and have spent time living on the street. Sometimes we find animals (especially litters of puppies and kittens) abandoned at the sanctuary gate.

We focus on rescuing abandoned dogs that are sick and injured. We have an on-site vet clinic and the resources to return them to good health.

Some of our dogs spend weeks or months in rehabilitation. Most make a remarkable recovery. Our vet decides when they are healthy and clears them for adoption. If an animal has long-term health issues, we will advise you during the selection process.

Cats generally come to us as kittens and, with a few exceptions, generally arrive in good health.

We can hold a dog 2-3 weeks in advance of your vacation, if you have a confirmed crate booking for your flight home. We will ask you to pay a deposit.

We encourage you to spend as much time as possible with the dog during your time in Mazatlan. Ideally, the dog would be able to stay with you during your vacation.

Once you get home, we encourage adopters to give dogs several weeks to relax and learn the routines of your family. The transition can be very stressful and may affect behaviour. We are available to provide advice and support.

If you decide you cannot keep the dog, we will take responsibility and find foster care in Canada. DO NOT rehome the animal yourself.

Yes. It’s less common because there is an abundant supply of cats in Canadian and American shelters, but you can do it.