Americans Ferry Ukraine Pets Across Mexico Border

An estimated 5.3 million people have fled war torn Ukraine, over half of them with pets in tow. Dozens of European countries are accepting refugees and, in most cases, the pets, but each nation has its own regulations.

Under normal conditions pets need to be vaccinated and microchipped when they cross international borders, but many countries have waived those requirements. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has compiled information and resources for 29 countries throughout Europe.

Most of these countries allow the animals in, asking only that pet owners check in with a veterinarian. There are hundreds of vets throughout Europe voluntarily treating refugee pets.

Ukrainian refugees who make it as far as North America are having difficulty entering the US because of rabies fears. Last month the New York Times reported on the travails of the thousands amassing at the US-Mexico border, stuck there because the CDC prohibits entry of dogs from countries like Ukraine – except on an “extremely limited basis” – where rabies is prevalent.

“The number of dogs here has been growing day by day,” said Victoria Pindrik, a volunteer with Save Ukraine Relief Fund. “Dogs have been sent back to us.”

While the dogs are stuck in places like Tijuana, some good-hearted folks have found a loophole in US rules. Mexico is not red-flagged for rabies, and Americans who re-enter the country with their pets are allowed in, no questions asked. “American animal lovers began ferrying dogs belonging to Ukrainians across the border themselves,” the Times reports. “Several dozen Ukrainian pets, mainly dogs but also cats, have already made their way to California with American help.”

IFAW has posted resources for Ukraine pet owners at ifaw.org/news/resources-flee-ukraine-pets. Please note the donate button.

Photo credit: Mark Abramson for The New York Times