What is a pet escort?

We need at least a week’s notice and preferably more as each dog must go through a final health check for the specific flight, and we have to get approval from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). There are documents we submit to APHIS and it takes at least 5 business days to get approval and in most cases it can take more.

If there is only one dog traveling, it can travel as the personal pet of the human that is flying and then we need less notice. But if you have your own dog going, then we have to contact the airline first to see if a second dog traveling as your personal pet is permitted.

Once you land, you turn the dog over to a volunteer or its adoptive family and you are no longer the dog’s personal owner.

Send us your itinerary including your confirmation code. Our transport team will check the details and then let you know whether your flight will work. There are many factors that come to play when transporting an animal; including aircraft model and type, specific sizes of dogs, pet embargoes etc.

If you give us the airline, name on the reservation, and confirmation code we can find everything we need.

It depends on the airport, airline, and the layover time. When you enter the US or Canada for a connection, you must exit the aircraft, collect all of your baggage, clear immigration and customs. Then you recheck your baggage again. This will occur with or without a dog. The dog may add to the amount of time necessary to clear customs depending on the airport. We will check this information for you and can advise you as to whether your flight will work.

Yes. In fact, the dog can’t be checked in at the airport in Cabo or La Paz without the required documentation. Our volunteers will meet you at check-in and have all the documentation in a clear plastic envelope that you show to customs upon your arrival at your destination. This keeps you organized and speeds up the process.

Yes. For both the US and Canada we obtain permits in advance of the flight to ensure that all of the documentation is in order. The customs officials may or may not ask to see the permits, but this way we are all assured that the documentation is in order before you board your flight.

Generally, yes. However, there is a limit of 3 to 7 animals allowed on the aircraft depending on the model and whether the animals are travelling in-cabin or in the hold. Our transport volunteers verify the availability and reserve the spot as soon as possible.

It is as safe as it is for the humans. We also put a lot of tracking mechanisms in place and so does the airline to prevent misrouting, etc. We’ve transported hundreds of dogs and so far we have never lost one. But, we are extremely careful about the flight, we use our own methods of tracking dogs during the flight, and we use only airlines that we trust.

Baja Dogs will cover the cost of the transport for the dog(s). Sometimes we have to pay this at the airport when we check the dog in and other times we pay in advance.

In Canada, there may be an inspection fee as you go through customs and if there is, the adopter who receives the dog will reimburse you. This fee is usually between $5 and $30, if charged.

You need to check in 2 hours prior to your flight’s departure. Our volunteers meet you at the airport with the dog(s) and assist with the check-in. They also ensure the dog is secured in the crate and the door has been zipped tied shut to prevent accidentally opening.