LOS ANGELES FAQ

• WHERE IS MEXIVET EXPRESS LOCATED?

  MexiVet Express is located in San Diego, California. However, all of our vets are located in Tijuana, Mexico. We help connect pet owners in the United States to affordable and quality care by driving their pets to some of the best vets in Tijuana, Mexico. All of our vets are highly-experienced in their field and offer a range of services, including professional dental cleanings, tumor removal surgery, TTA/TPLO surgery and chemotherapy.

• Where do we meet to drop off our pet? (Meeting points)

  MexiVet Express currently has 5 meeting points in the Los Angeles & Orange County area that clients can utilize:

  • Hollywood - 6102 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

  • Downey - 7966 Florence Ave, Downey, CA 90240

  • Anaheim - W Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92868

  • Mission Viejo - 28391 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692

  • Oceanside - Oceanside Crossing, 1779 S Oceanside Blvd, Oceanside, CA 92054

• What can a typical day look like?

  The early start ensures we cross the border before peak traffic and arrive at the clinic in time for morning appointments. The return drive in the evening is unavoidably late — that's the tradeoff for a same-day round trip.

  Your Pet's LA-to-TJ Day, Step by Step.

  Timeline (example from Hollywood stop):

  4:00 AM — Pickup in Hollywood We arrive at your designated pickup point. Your pet hops in the van. Hopefully, you can go back to sleep.

  4:00–7:30 AM — Southbound Drive We travel down through Downey, Anaheim, Mission Viejo, and Oceanside, picking up the rest of the crew.

  7:45 AM — Border Crossing
  We handle the crossing. Your pet's travel documents are prepped. This is routine for us — we've done it hundreds of times.

  8:30 AM onward — Vet Appointment Your pet is seen at the clinic. Exam, dental cleaning, surgery, diagnostics — depending on their appointment type.

  Throughout the Day — Updates
  We send you check-ins and photos. You'll know exactly what's happening and what the vet finds.

  Evening — Northbound Return
  We begin the return route once all pets are cleared for travel. Estimated dropoff times:

  • Oceanside ~8:45 PM

  • Mission Viejo ~9:10 PM

  • Anaheim ~10:00 PM

  • Downey ~11:15 PM

  • Hollywood ~11:45 PM.

  Home Safe Your pet is back. Medical records, discharge notes, and any medications are handed off to you.

• HOW MUCH WILL A VET APPOINTMENT WITH MEXIVET EXPRESS COST ME?

  Your total vet appointment cost with MexiVet Express will vary depending on the type of treatment your pet needs. Many of the services our vets offer, such as dental cleanings and tumor removal surgeries, are often a fraction of the price you would pay in Southern California.
  
  Request an estimate for the specific service you’re looking for, and one of our knowledgable MexiVet Express team members will get back to you within 24-48 hours. Most inquiries will receive an immediate price estimate.
  
  MexiVet Express transportation costs will vary depending on the duration of your appointment.
  
  MexiVet Express currently has 5 meeting points in the Los Angeles & Orange County area that clients can utilize:

  • Hollywood - 6102 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

  • Downey - 7966 Florence Ave, Downey, CA 90240

  • Orange County - W Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92868

  • Mission Viejo - 28391 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692

  • Oceanside - Oceanside Crossing, 1779 S Oceanside Blvd, Oceanside, CA 92054

• Is Los Angeles to Tijuana really worth the drive?

  We totally get the hesitation. LA to TJ is about 2.5–3 hours in the van (longer with stops). But for most of our clients, the savings are significant enough — often 50–70% less than LA vet prices — we think it’s worth it. You're not driving it yourself, either. We handle everything.

• Is this really safe? Are Tijuana vets qualified?

  Yes. Our vet partners are credentialed, experienced, and English-communicative. Tijuana has a well-established veterinary community that serves both sides of the border. We've personally vetted every clinic we use, and have been doing this since 2018.

• WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MY PET’S VET APPOINTMENT OR LAB RESULTS?

  Our MexiVet Express team will provide you with your pet’s vet contact information, so you can ask your questions directly. If you’re having trouble reaching them or you need help with translation we can assist! Please email us at: info@MexiVetExpress.com or call us directly 619-782-4747 with your questions or concerns.

• HOW DO I PAY MEXIVET EXPRESS FOR MY PET’S VET APPOINTMENT?

  Before confirming your appointment, you will be sent a link to create an account in our client portal. Once your pet’s vet appointment is complete, you will receive your bill through your portal account. Vet bills are due upon receipt and must be paid before you take your pet home. You can pay with a debit or credit card online.

• WHAT TYPES OF PAYMENTS DOES MEXIVET EXPRESS ACCEPT?

  We accept debit and credit cards through our client portal. Everything is charged in US dollar currency.

  We also accept payment through Zelle and Venmo upon request.

• WHAT VETS DOES MEXIVET EXPRESS WORK WITH?

  We work with various clinics in Tijuana with various specialties. Depending on what your pet needs, we will make a recommendation for a vet we think would be the best fit. If there are multiple options, we will provide you with a quote for each vet, so you can make an informed decision about where your fur baby receives care. If you’ve received a recommendation for a vet we work with and want your pet to be seen there, we will happily book you with that vet. You will always get the final say!

  Need help picking up or dropping off your pet at a vet in Tijuana outside of our network? Let us know where your pet needs to go and we will try our best to accommodate.

• I WANT YOU TO TAKE MY DOG TO THE VET IN BAJA. HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH MEXIVET EXPRESS?

  To book an appointment with MexiVet Express, contact us via text, email, phone, or submit a request for an estimate. We’ll get you a quote to get you started. Once you’re ready, we’ll send you a link to fill out our intake forms, including a $50 deposit to confirm your appointment. We have a 48-hour cancellation policy, after that your deposit is non-refundable.

• WHAT DOCUMENTS DOES MY PET NEED TO GET A RIDE WITH MEXIVET EXPRESS?

  In order to cross the border with your dog we will need proof of the rabies vaccine. If your dog’s rabies vaccine isn’t up to date, don’t worry. Your dog can receive the rabies vaccine the day of their appointment, so they can cross the border without problems. Unfortunately, dogs younger than four months can’t ride with MexiVet Express until they complete their vaccine series.

  If you would like to send your cat with MexiVet Express, no vaccine documentation is necessary.

• DOES MEXIVET EXPRESS HAVE ANY SPECIAL LICENSES OR INSURANCE?

  Yes and yes! We are federally licensed to transport dogs and cats and we carry the same type of insurance as that of a dog groomer or dog walker. Your pet is in licensed and insured hands when with MexiVet Express.

• DOES MEXIVET EXPRESS TAKE ANY PETS BESIDES DOGS AND CATS?

  Yes! We take all sorts of animals, including bunnies, guinea pigs and chinchillas. Request an estimate to find if the services you’re looking for are offered by our vets in Tijuana.

• CAN I RIDE WITH MY PET TO THEIR VET APPOINTMENT IN TIJUANA?

  Unfortunately, pet owners are not permitted to ride with their pets in our MexiVet Express vans. Our commercial license is for dogs, cats and other four-legged friends only.

• HOW WILL MEXIVET EXPRESS TRANSPORT MY PET?

  All the animals are transported in clean and sanitized crates appropriate for their size. Since this is a communal ride, we don’t transport pets with contagious diseases, such as parvo to help keep our riders safe.

• WHAT ARE MEXIVET EXPRESS HOURS AND DAYS OF OPERATION?

  Our MexiVet Express admin team is available to answer your questions every day of the week, however we only transport pets to Tijuana Monday through Friday. In special emergency cases, we may be able to accommodate weekend appointments as well, depending on availability. Most of our appointments will require that your pet is picked up at a designated location between 7-9am. In some cases, your pet may be picked up in the afternoon around 1pm. Return times will depend on the type of treatment your pet receives. Ask a member of the MexiVet team to give you an estimated time of return.

• HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH MEXIVET EXPRESS?

  Availability will depend on the type of services your pet needs. Common services like wellness exams and dental cleanings can often be booked with a day or two notice. Other procedures like TTA surgery or echocardiograms may need to be booked a week in advance.

• WHAT IS THE MEXIVET EXPRESS PROTOCOL FOR THE CANINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE GOING AROUND?

  The safety and health of your pet is our first priority. We are taking several precautions to help protect our canine passengers from the respiratory disease currently going around, including:

  • Washing and sanitizing all crates after each use.

  • Using fresh bedding for each pet. Bedding is never shared between riders.

  • Regularly cleaning the inside of our vans.

  • Using crate covers upon request.

  Furthermore, we do not transport pets with the canine respiratory disease or other diagnosed infectious diseases. Pets with infectious diseases are always referred to other clinics that are equipped to treat these types of patients.

• What if there are complications or my pet needs to stay longer?

  We'll communicate with you immediately. In rare cases where a pet can't travel home the same day, we coordinate with the clinic and keep you fully informed. This is why our client relationships are built on trust — we've handled everything from routine cleanings to unexpected discoveries, and we don't leave your side.

• Is this a permanent route?

  Right now it's a pilot program running Wednesday through Friday. If demand is strong, we'll expand days and potentially add stops. Booking now helps us justify growing the route!

• WILL MY PET LEARN SPANISH DURING THEIR VET APPOINTMENT?

  It is possible that with enough visits your pet might begin to recognize some Spanish. We have a few frequent flyers that get loved on frequently by the staff at Vet Playas. They will probably learn words like "amorcito" and "precioso".