Colombia is well-known for its lively cities, lush rainforests, and inviting culture. In recent years, it's attracted much attention as a digital nomad hotspot. Medellin, in particular, draws digital nomads and travelers year-round for its excellent infrastructure and pleasant climate. Colombia as a whole is the most dog-friendly country I've ever been to. This guide will help streamline your travels with your pet in this beautiful country, focusing on navigating the ins and outs of pet import and export regulations in Colombia.
Contents
Colombia pet import regulations
Colombia welcomes pets, but there are guidelines in place to ensure their health and safety.
Basic Requirements: All incoming pets should have a valid health certificate issued by a veterinarian from their departure country. The health certificate should attest to their overall health and any vaccinations they've received. More details on what you need, according to country, are found below.
Breed-Specific Regulations: Some breeds thought to have aggressive tendencies might face restrictions. Before making travel plans, it's always wise to check the current list of banned or restricted breeds on the government's official website. As of writing, these breeds include:
American Staffordshire Terrier | Pit Bull Terrier | American Pit Bull Terrier | Japanese Tosa |
Doberman Pinscher | Bullmastiff | Mastin Napolitano | De Presa Canario |
Rottweiler | Dogo Argentino | Dogo de Burdeos | Fila Brasileiro |
Required vaccines for dogs and cats entering Colombia
No matter where you're coming from, you'll need to make sure you have the necessary vaccines and associated paperwork. They are broken down into two groups:
Vaccines for Dogs
According to the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA), Colombia requires that dogs have vaccines for the following diseases:
Rabies (administered at least 21 days before travel)
Carrés Disease (Distemper)
Canine hepatitis
Leptospirosis (canine and IC bleeding)
Parvovirus
Coronavirus
Parainfluenza
Parasite treatment: The dog must receive an internal and external anti-parasitic treatment within 60 days before the trip, indicating the product's name, the active ingredient, and the date of its administration.
Note: Reportedly, coronavirus can be a difficult vaccine to locate in some countries like Canada. Some people reported that they weren't able to find this vaccine for their dog and suggested e-mailing ICA to explain the situation.
Vaccines for Cats
According to the ICA, Colombia requires that cats have the following vaccines:
Rabies (administered at least 21 days before travel)
Feline Panleukopenia
Step-by-step: How to travel to Colombia with pets
Even the most seasoned traveler can find international pet travel daunting. Here's a breakdown to help you plan out your journey.
Traveling from the US to Colombia
This involves a few key steps:
USDA Vet Appointment: Schedule a visit with a USDA-accredited veterinarian. Obtain an international health certificate in English and Spanish, valid within ten days of departure.
USDA Endorsement via VEHCS: Your vet can electronically submit the health certificate for USDA endorsement through the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). This system allows for quicker processing and avoids the need for mailing documents.
Print Endorsed Certificate: Once endorsed in VEHCS, you can print the health certificate, which must accompany your pet during travel.
Travel Requirements: Ensure all vaccinations are up-to-date. Check with your airline for any additional pet travel requirements.
Traveling from Canada to Colombia
If traveling from Canada to Colombia, you must take a few carefully planned steps.
The CFIA Trilingual Form: Obtain the trilingual form (English, Spanish, French) from the Canadian Food Inspection Authority's (CFIA) website. Print it out in A4 Size (8.27 x 11.69 inches). First-time users can send the complete form to CFIA over e-mail for pre-checking, which involves an additional fee. This is recommended if it’s your first time filling out this type of form.
Vet Appointment for Health Certificate: Arrange a visit to your veterinary clinic for an international health certificate. Ensure your pet's vaccinations are complete as per Colombian requirements.
Vet and CFIA Endorsement: Have your vet sign the CFIA form and provide a health certificate. Then, take these documents to CFIA for official endorsement.
Complete these steps within ten days of your arrival in Colombia. Planning and allowing buffer time for any delays is crucial.
Traveling from Mexico to Colombia
Conveniently, there are many direct flights from Mexico City to Colombia — either Medellin or Bogotá. If you're traveling from Mexico to Colombia, here's what you need to do.
Vet Appointment: Schedule a check-up with a vet to obtain a health certificate and complete any required vaccinations. Many vets offer home service for added convenience.
SENASICA: Visit a Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA) office at the airport, ideally a day before your flight, with all necessary paperwork. You don't need to bring your pet for this initial visit.
Document Verification: SENASICA will review your documents and provide a form with the first stamp upon approval.
Final Inspection at SENASICA: On the day of your flight, at least a couple hours before check-in, return to SENASICA with your pet and all documents for the final inspection and second stamping.
Airport Check-In: Present your SENASICA-endorsed documents at the airline check-in counter. You're now good to go!
Arriving to Colombia with your pet
Once you arrive in Colombia with your dog or cat, visit the ICA office before heading to the baggage carousel. You must present all your documents at the ICA office and show your pet to the officer. After verifying the documents and performing a physical examination of your dog or cat, the ICA will issue a Health Inspection Certificate (CIS), which is necessary for traveling with your pets within Colombia. This certificate comes with a cost which you must pay for with a card.
Leaving Colombia with your pets: Documentation and health certificates
When it's time to leave Colombia with your pet, you'll need to prepare according to the specific requirements of your destination country, as these can vary significantly.
First, you must obtain a health certificate from a vet in Colombia, confirming that they are fit to travel and up-to-date with all necessary vaccinations. This health certificate and any other required documentation must then be presented to the ICA.
Four days before your trip to Colombia with your pet, you must complete the exit permit with the ICA. This process involves verifying your pet's health documents and obtaining a health inspection certificate — or CIS — from the ICA. It's important to note that ICA's services are unavailable on Sundays or holidays, so plan accordingly.
You can find step-by-step guidance on leaving Medellin here.
Pet travel to Colombia FAQs
Here are some of the top questions we get from digital nomads looking to fly to Colombia with their pet.
What documents do I need to bring my pet to Colombia as a digital nomad?
To bring your pet to Colombia, you'll need a valid health certificate issued by a veterinarian, proof of required vaccinations (like rabies for both dogs and cats), and an internal and external anti- parasitic treatment record for dogs. Specific processes like obtaining a USDA or CFIA-endorsed health certificate are necessary if traveling from the US or Canada.
2. What are the essential vaccines for dogs and cats entering Colombia?
For dogs, required vaccines include Rabies, Distemper, Canine Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, Coronavirus, and Parainfluenza. For cats, Rabies and Feline Panleukopenia vaccines are mandatory.
3. Are there any additional costs associated with bringing a pet to Colombia?
Yes, additional costs like pet import fees, health certificate processing fees, and airline pet transport fees exist. Always check with the relevant authorities and airlines for the most current information.
Conclusion
Colombia's an excellent destination for both work and fun, and it's super pet-friendly too. Just remember, getting your pet's health stuff sorted is super important for a smooth trip. Make sure you've got all the shots and papers ready. It might seem like a bit of work, but it's worth it. Once you're there, you and your dog or cat can explore all the amazing places and vibes Colombia has to offer. 🇨🇴
Note: some of the links in this post are an affiliate link, which help keep Nomad with Pets up and running at no extra cost to you. 😊
Comments