Potrero Pups

Candela is a stray Mexican dog who found a loving new home.

Stray dogs and puppies abound on the streets of Hidalgo. Because spaying and neutering is not prevalent in Mexico, over population of homeless dogs are a major problem. It is said that young street dogs often make the best pets because they will know how good they have it when adopted, so a trip to Mexico is the perfect opportunity to adopt a new pet.

Often times little or no effort is needed to find an adorable puppy – they commonly are wandering the streets and canyon. However, if short on time or luck, contact Magic Ed, his wife Tammy, or Doty for help in finding a new pet. They have a long running program for adopting these malnourished “potrero pups” and can be contacted for further information. They are usually in town for the whole winter season and can easily be found by asking around.

The local vet's office.

In Town Veterinarian

There is one veterinarian in the town of Hidalgo that can do vaccinations, check for rabies, and neuter/spay. He can provide a “pet passport” that is sometimes needed when crossing borders. Do not expect a modern, expensive office but do expect very cheap services. Equipping the in-town veterinarian has been an on-going project of the “Potrero Pups” program and any donations for equipment or supplies is greatly encouraged.

Bringing An Adopted Dog Back to the United States
The official rules involving importing your new pet into the United States are often much more strict than the actual enforced rules. Many times one can drive across the border into the United States without the officers even giving a passing glance at one’s pets.

Generally, to bring a dog back into the U.S. one needs to have proof that their vaccinations are up to date, they have had a rabies shot within the last 30 days, and that they do not have evidence of infectious diseases.
The completed and up to date “pet passport” given at the Hidalgo veterinarian office is sufficient for this. If the dog is too young to be vaccinated one might have to complete an agreement saying the animal will be kept in confinement until they get their vaccination. The complete and detailed regulations can be found from the U.S. CDC website here.