The Cuban content creator Claudia Aritlesa (@claudiaartilesa), who resides in Odessa, Texas, shared on TikTok the story of how she managed to bring her dog, Mía, from Cuba to the United States. Her video has garnered thousands of likes and sparked the curiosity of her followers, who keep asking her about the entire process.
Claudia explained that a few months after arriving in the United States, she decided to bring her pet, Mía, who was still on the island. To do so, she contacted someone she found on TikTok, recommended by another girl who had already brought her dog over. "I wrote to her to find out about the process and the steps I needed to follow," Claudia explains in her video.
The first step was ensuring that Mía had a rabies vaccine and an identification chip. If it couldn't be done in Cuba, the chip would be implanted in Mexico, as Mía would make a stopover there before arriving in Texas. "Mía left Cuba on a Friday, stayed in Mexico on Saturday, and by Sunday, she was with me in San Antonio," Claudia recounted in the video, celebrating that everything had gone perfectly.
The video generated a flood of reactions, with many followers requesting more information on how to bring their own pets and others expressing gratitude for her testimony. Stories like this young woman's are increasingly common, especially among Cubans who emigrate to the United States and don't want to leave their pets behind. Recently, a Cuban made headlines for welcoming his dog with balloons after bringing it from Cuba, once again highlighting the immense sentimental value these animals hold for their owners.
How to Bring Pets from Cuba to the United States
Here are some frequently asked questions about the process of bringing pets from Cuba to the United States, as shared by Claudia Aritlesa and other Cubans who have successfully done it.
What are the first steps to bring a pet from Cuba to the United States?
The first steps include ensuring that your pet has a rabies vaccine and an identification chip. If these cannot be done in Cuba, arrangements can be made in a transit country like Mexico.
How did Claudia find a reliable contact for the process?
Claudia found a reliable contact through recommendations on TikTok from other individuals who had successfully brought their pets to the United States.
What was the travel route for Mía?
Mía traveled from Cuba to Mexico, spending a day there before continuing to Texas, where she reunited with Claudia in San Antonio.
How can others get more information on this process?
Interested individuals can reach out to people who have successfully completed the process through social media platforms like TikTok for recommendations and guidance.