Relocating your pet to Colombia doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With Pets in Transit, every step of the process is handled with care, precision, and expertise. From reviewing vaccination records and coordinating veterinary documentation to arranging airline travel and customs clearance, our experienced team ensures nothing is overlooked. More importantly, Pets in Transit understands that your pet is part of your family. Our personalized approach prioritizes your pet’s safety, comfort, and well-being throughout the journey. With proactive communication, attention to detail, and end-to-end coordination, we remove the stress and uncertainty from domestic and international pet travel.
Your pet’s journey to Colombia begins with a thorough review of all medical and identification records. Pets in Transit carefully verifies vaccination dates, microchip registration, and veterinary history to ensure full compliance with Colombia’s import requirements. This early review helps prevent last-minute surprises and keeps your relocation timeline running smoothly.
Accurate paperwork is essential for a successful international pet relocation. Pets in Transit works directly with your veterinarian to coordinate required exams, complete official health certificates, and finalize entry documentation. Every form is reviewed for accuracy and compliance, ensuring your pet is fully cleared for travel and entry into Colombia.
Selecting the right flight makes a meaningful difference in your pet’s comfort and safety. Pets in Transit arranges travel with reputable, pet-friendly airlines and carefully planned routes designed to reduce travel time and avoid unnecessary disruptions. Each reservation is made with your pet’s well-being as the top priority.
With Pets in Transit by your side, you’ll receive a detailed itinerary outlining every stage of your pet’s relocation, including preparation steps, departure timing, and arrival procedures. This clear roadmap helps you understand exactly what to expect and ensures you feel confident and informed throughout the entire process.
When travel day arrives, our trained handlers provide safe, reliable transportation from your home, veterinary clinic, boarding location, or another preferred location. Pets in Transit ensures your pet is handled with care, properly prepared for travel, and transported securely to the airport for a smooth and calm departure.
Staying connected during your pet’s journey provides valuable peace of mind. Pets in Transit provides timely updates at key milestones, including check-in, departure, arrival, and customs clearance. You’ll always know your pet’s status and progress every step of the way.
Upon arrival in Colombia, Pets in Transit coordinates customs clearance and entry procedures to ensure everything is handled efficiently. Once approved, your pet is safely transported to your home or final destination—completing the journey with a smooth, stress-free reunion.
Traveling with your pet to Colombia requires accurate documentation, proper veterinary preparation, and compliance with USDA and Colombian entry regulations. While the process is straightforward when handled correctly, incomplete paperwork or missed requirements can result in delays or entry denial. Pets in Transit helps ensure every detail is properly managed—from coordinating USDA-accredited veterinary exams to securing endorsed health certificates and preparing travel documentation. Here is an overview of what to expect when preparing your pet for travel to Colombia:
Personal pet dogs and cats traveling from the United States to Colombia do not require an import permit. However, pets must fully meet Colombia’s official health and documentation requirements before departure. Failure to comply with the required documentation may result in entry issues upon arrival.
Dogs and cats entering Colombia must have an official health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS Veterinary Services within 10 days of travel. The health certificate must be complete, accurate, and legible, and your pet must travel with the endorsed certificate and at least one photocopy.
USDA-accredited veterinarians can issue health certificates electronically using the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). USDA APHIS can digitally endorse, and the certificate must accompany your pet throughout the journey.
A valid rabies vaccination certificate must accompany your pet along with the endorsed health certificate. This documentation confirms your pet meets Colombia’s vaccination requirements and is eligible for entry.
Rabies vaccination requirements for entry into Colombia depend on your pet’s age and vaccination status. Dogs and cats that are 15 weeks of age or older must be vaccinated against rabies, and the rabies vaccination certificate must accompany the USDA-endorsed health certificate. The rabies certificate must clearly include the vaccine name, batch number, date of administration, and expiration date.
If your pet is receiving its first rabies vaccination, it must be administered at least 21 days before travel to be considered valid for entry into Colombia. This timing requirement is essential to ensure compliance with Colombia’s import regulations.
Pets younger than 15 weeks of age may enter Colombia without a rabies vaccination, but their entry will be conditional. These pets must complete a home quarantine after arrival and receive a rabies vaccination in Colombia from a licensed veterinarian using an approved vaccine. Proper planning with your veterinarian helps ensure your pet meets all age and vaccination requirements prior to travel.
In addition to rabies vaccination, Colombia requires documentation of your pet’s other current or previous vaccinations as part of the official health certificate. For dogs, the certificate must indicate whether vaccines such as distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, leptospirosis, and canine coronavirus have been administered. If these vaccinations have been given, veterinary records must include the vaccine name, batch number, date of administration, and expiration date.
If any recommended vaccinations have not been administered or have expired, your dog may still be allowed entry, but these vaccinations may need to be completed after arrival in Colombia at the owner’s expense.
For cats, the health certificate must indicate whether the pet has been vaccinated against feline panleukopenia. If this vaccination has not been administered or has expired, it may be completed after arrival.
Maintaining accurate and up-to-date vaccination records helps ensure a smooth entry process and reduces the risk of delays or additional veterinary requirements upon arrival.
Airlines and transport providers have their own policies regarding pet travel, including crate standards, documentation verification, and routing requirements. These airline-specific rules must be followed in addition to Colombia’s government regulations. Pets in Transit will help ensure all airline-specific requirements are met.
If your pet travels through a country in the European Union on the way to Colombia, an EU transit health certificate is required. This certificate follows the same requirements as if the EU country were the final destination.
Pet owners planning to return to the United States should be aware that the CDC has additional entry requirements for dogs. These rules must be followed exactly, or re-entry into the United States may be denied. Pets in Transit helps ensure all entry requirements are met for dogs returning to the United States.
When relocating a dog to Colombia, it’s important to be aware that certain breeds and their crossbreeds are restricted or prohibited from entry under Colombian law. These rules are separate from airline policies and are enforced by the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA) and national regulations to limit potentially dangerous animals entering the country.
Colombia prohibits the importation of specific canine breeds or any dogs that are crosses/hybrids of these breeds due to concerns about aggression or safety. Breeds commonly listed as restricted include:
Pets in Transit can help you understand whether your dog’s breed is subject to these restrictions and advise you on documentation, permits, or alternate travel arrangements needed to comply with Colombian import rules.
Here are the rules for pet travel to Colombia according to the USDA website.
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