Pet owners flee pricey SoCal vets for Tijuana bargains
San Diego pet owners facing steep veterinary bills are increasingly sending their animals across the border to Tijuana, where care can be far more affordable.
This trend has been made even easier by companies such as MexiVet Express, which provide a full-service “pet medical tourism” experience. For a fee, the company handles everything from picking up pets in Southern California, navigating long border waits, translating for Mexican veterinarians, and returning the animals home—often the same day.
Anna Ginsky launched MexiVet in 2018 after receiving a $2,000 estimate for her dog’s dental work. Since then, the company has expanded, helping hundreds of pet owners access lower-cost veterinary care in Mexico each year.
MexiVet goes beyond transportation, arranging appointments, assisting with paperwork, translating during consultations, and advising owners on which clinics to choose. On appointment day, pets are collected, taken to Tijuana, and monitored throughout the visit, with owners kept informed.
The savings can be substantial. The company reports that clients often pay 50% to 90% less than they would in San Diego. For example, Coco, a dog that swallowed a rock, was quoted $10,000 for surgery in the U.S., but received the procedure in Tijuana for roughly $2,000. Another pet owner, Wes Daniel, told NBC 7 San Diego that he anticipates paying about $2,000 in Mexico for several treatments—roughly half the cost of the same care at home.
Rising pet insurance premiums and increasing costs for routine care are driving more owners to consider international veterinary options.
However, some local veterinarians caution that lower-cost care can carry risks. They note that pets sometimes require expensive follow-up procedures after returning to the U.S. MexiVet emphasizes that it is not a medical provider, but a middleman connecting clients with vetted, reputable Tijuana clinics. Ginsky highlighted the company’s focus on “price transparency, clear communication with owners, private parking, and follow-up support.”
“Ideally, clinics have a U.S. phone number, use WhatsApp, and maintain reliable contact with owners,” Ginsky explained.
About Post Author
