Many people love their pets and consider them part of the family. When moving to a new country, it’s essential to know the rules and regulations around bringing your furry friend with you. This article will provide all the necessary information about importing your pet to Colombia.
Importing Pets into Colombia
Colombia allows the import of pets. However, there are restrictions on which types of pets you can bring into the country. Dogs, cats, birds, and rodents are allowed. Other types of animals may require additional permits and documentation.
Some breeds of dogs are banned in Colombia due to their aggressive nature. These breeds include American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Bull Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Vaccination Requirements
Before bringing your pet to Colombia, you must ensure that they have all the necessary vaccinations. The vaccinations must be administered at least 30 days before your pet’s arrival in Colombia. The required vaccinations are:
- Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis, and rabies.
- Cats: feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and rabies.
- Birds: Newcastle disease, avian influenza, and psittacosis.
You must have a certificate of vaccination issued by a licensed veterinarian that verifies your pet’s vaccination status. The certificate must also include the pet’s identification information and the veterinarian’s contact details.
Application Procedure
To import a pet to Colombia, you must complete the following steps:
- Obtain a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian within ten days of your pet’s travel date. The certificate must state that your pet is in good health and is free from contagious diseases.
- Obtain a copy of your pet’s vaccination record, which must include the date of the last vaccination.
- Obtain an import permit from the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA). You can obtain this permit by visiting the ICA website or in person at one of their offices.
- Pay the necessary fees for the import permit.
Quarantine Period
There is no quarantine period required for pets imported to Colombia as long as the animal meets all the necessary health requirements and has all the required documentation.
International Travel Scheme for Pets
Colombia is part of the international travel scheme for pets known as the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). This scheme allows pets to travel to and from certain countries without undergoing quarantine, as long as they meet specific health requirements.
Pet Licenses
There are no pet licensing requirements in Colombia.
Relevant Government Websites
The ICA website is the relevant government website for importing pets to Colombia. The website provides detailed information on the requirements for importing pets, including vaccination requirements and the necessary paperwork. The website is available in both English and Spanish. Here is the link to their website: https://www.ica.gov.co/.