Traveling internationally with our Maltese

Our Maltese travels with us regularly in the states and she enjoys traveling as much as we do. We would like to have her with us next summer in Italy. Also, when we travel to Mexico. We have been told that is practically impossible. Does anyone travel abroad with their pet, or know how it might be done?
Bill & Marylin

• I checked on it about 3 years ago when I was going to Europe. It depends on the country. So countries require that an animal be quarantined for 6 months up entering a country, while others there is no problem.

  One of the countries I was going to be in for a good while-- England -- required the quarantine. I forget how Italy was. But once over there, they treat dogs much better than we do here. You can take them in the restaurants on leash -- I saw dogs in every type of restaurant, ordinary diner types and 4-stars. You can also take pets on the train, which is a convenient way to travel.

  I would check with AAA, if you belong, or the Dept. of State. If I could have avoided England, I would have and then just gone to the countries that accepted pets. Germany was one I recall. Of course, you need to show a health certificate and all current shots. I have never been to Mexico, but I have been to Canada and it is pretty simple, just show the current health certificate. Good luck and have fun.
  Rebecca

• If is fairly simple to take dogs with you to Europe (continental), but they cannot travel in a Sherpa in the cabin. They must be checked and you must have a health permit and vaccination with you. I have taken one to International shows in Belgium and France. England is another story as is Australia where they have incoming quarantines.
  Bobbie Linden-Bhe-Jei Maltese

• You can travel into Mexico with your pet. All you need is a recent (not more than 5 than days old) health certificate printed on a certified veterinarian's letterhead. You also need a rabies vaccination certificate stating the most recent vaccination date. Both documents in original and copy. We recently travelled to Uruguay and the requirements were similar.
  Arturo Hernandez