Colombia Is Generally Pet-Friendly — If You Prepare the Paperwork
Colombia allows the import of dogs, cats, birds and other pets, but the process requires careful preparation. The oversight authority is ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario), which sets animal health import requirements. Getting the documentation wrong typically means your pet is held at the airport for ICA inspection — potentially overnight — or, in worst cases, returned to origin. This guide covers the process for the most common pets: dogs and cats, with notes on birds.
Dogs and Cats: The Core Requirements
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785 standard (15-digit). Must be implanted BEFORE any vaccination for the vaccine records to be linked to the chip number. |
| Rabies vaccination | Must be current (not expired). Must have been administered at least 30 days before travel (not too recent — immune response window). Must have been given after the microchip was implanted. |
| Internal and external parasite treatment | Administered within 10 days before travel. Must be documented in the health certificate. |
| Official health certificate | Issued by an accredited veterinarian, endorsed by your country's official veterinary authority. Must be issued within 30 days of travel. Must be in Spanish or accompanied by a certified Spanish translation. |
| Vaccination record | Full vaccination history linking chip number to each vaccine administered. |
The Health Certificate: The Most Critical Document
The official health certificate is your most important document. It must be issued by a veterinarian accredited by your country's official animal health authority, and then endorsed (sealed) by that same official authority. In the US: issued by an accredited vet, endorsed by USDA APHIS. In the UK: issued and certified by an Official Veterinarian. In most EU countries: the EU Animal Health Certificate is the relevant document.
The certificate must include: your pet's name, species, breed, sex, date of birth, microchip number, owner's information, vaccination history (with microchip-linked records), parasite treatment dates, and a declaration that the animal is healthy and fit for travel.
Timing Your Documents: The 30-Day Window Problem
The health certificate must be issued within 30 days of arrival in Colombia — not travel date, but arrival date. If your certificate is issued 35 days before you arrive, it is expired. The practical approach: book your vet appointment for exactly 25–28 days before your Colombian arrival, to give a small buffer. The USDA APHIS endorsement adds 1–5 additional business days in the US — factor this into your timeline.
At the Airport: What Happens With Your Pet
Dogs and cats traveling as checked baggage or in-cabin arrive through the cargo or passenger terminal, respectively. ICA inspectors at El Dorado (Bogotá), José María Córdova (Medellín) and Rafael Núñez (Cartagena) check documents before your pet clears. With complete, correct documentation: inspection is typically 15–30 minutes. With incomplete documentation: your pet may be held in ICA facilities for up to 72 hours while requirements are resolved — at your expense.
Birds and Exotic Pets
Birds (parrots, canaries, etc.) have additional requirements including negative avian influenza testing and specific ICA import permits. Exotic pets (reptiles, amphibians, primates, certain rodents) may be subject to CITES regulations and require CITES export permits from your origin country plus ICA authorization in Colombia. The process for exotic pets is significantly more complex — engage a pet transport specialist months in advance.
Pet Transport Services
Professional pet transport companies (relocation specialists) can manage the entire documentation process for an all-in fee. This is strongly recommended for: first-time pet importers, owners of birds or exotic pets, or any situation where the travel dates are complex (connecting flights through third countries add additional health certificate complications).
Sources: ICA — ica.gov.co. USDA APHIS. European Commission Animal Health. Informational only — requirements may change; verify with ICA before travel.
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