Bringing Your Dog or Cat to Ecuador — The Complete Step-by-Step Process

Your dog or cat can absolutely come with you to Ecuador. Thousands of expats have done it. But the paperwork has specific timing requirements, and if you miss a window or skip a step, you could end up stranded at the airport with a pet and no entry permit. Here is exactly how to do it right.

The Documents You Need

Ecuador requires three things to import a pet:

1. International Health Certificate (USDA-endorsed) — This is the big one. Your vet fills out APHIS Form 7001, and it must be endorsed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, then endorsed again by your local USDA APHIS Veterinary Services office. It certifies your pet is healthy and free of contagious disease.

2. Current rabies vaccination certificate — The vaccination must be administered at least 30 days before travel but no more than 12 months before arrival. If your pet's rabies shot was yesterday, you need to wait 30 days. If it was 13 months ago, you need a new one.

3. AGROCALIDAD import permit — AGROCALIDAD is Ecuador's agricultural health authority (Agencia de Regulación y Control Fito y Zoosanitario). You must apply for an import permit before your pet enters Ecuador. This is the step most people learn about too late.

The Timeline — Start 6 Months Before Your Move

6 months out

• Confirm your pet's rabies vaccination is current. If it expires within the next 6 months, get a booster now. The 30-day waiting period starts from the date of the most recent vaccination.
• Make sure your pet's microchip is an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit chip. Most US chips work, but verify with your vet.
• If your pet has any chronic health conditions, discuss the move with your vet. Altitude adjustment is real — Cuenca sits at 8,400 feet.

2-3 months out

• Contact airlines and book your pet's travel. Spaces in cabin and cargo are limited — do not wait until the last minute. See airline details below.
• Research AGROCALIDAD's current requirements on their website (agrocalidad.gob.ec). Requirements occasionally change, and you want the most recent version.
• Begin the AGROCALIDAD import permit application. You can submit it online through their GUIA system or through an Ecuadorian customs agent. The permit takes 5-15 business days to process. You will need your pet's vaccination records and your travel itinerary.

10 days before departure

• Schedule a vet appointment for 7-10 days before your flight. Your vet will perform a health examination and complete the International Health Certificate (APHIS Form 7001). The certificate is only valid for 10 days from the date of the exam, so timing matters.
• Your vet must be USDA-accredited. Not all vets are. Check the APHIS website to confirm your vet's accreditation, or call your local USDA APHIS Veterinary Services office.

5-7 days before departure

• Take the completed health certificate to your USDA APHIS Veterinary Services office for endorsement. Some states allow mail-in endorsement, but it adds days. If possible, go in person or use a same-day courier.
• The USDA endorsement typically takes 1-3 business days. Some offices offer same-day service for a fee. Call ahead to confirm.

Day of travel

• Bring all original documents in a folder you can access easily: USDA-endorsed health certificate, rabies certificate, AGROCALIDAD import permit, your pet's vaccination booklet, and your own passport and travel documents.
• Arrive at the airport extra early. Pet check-in takes longer, especially for cargo.

Airlines That Fly Pets to Ecuador

Not every airline allows pets, and policies differ between cabin and cargo.

LATAM Airlines

The most common choice for US-to-Ecuador flights. LATAM allows small pets in cabin (carrier must fit under the seat, max 7 kg / 15 lbs including carrier). Larger dogs must fly as checked baggage or cargo. Cabin fee is approximately $125-150 per direction. Cargo costs $200-400 depending on the crate size and route.

Copa Airlines

Copa routes through Panama City (PTY), which means your pet goes through transit in Panama. Pets are allowed in cabin on some routes (similar size restrictions as LATAM) and as cargo. Cabin fee is around $100-150. Cargo varies. The Panama transit adds complexity — confirm with Copa that your pet will be transferred without you needing to collect and re-check through Panamanian customs.

American Airlines

Allows small pets in cabin on flights to Guayaquil and Quito. No cargo pet service to Ecuador currently. Cabin fee is $125 each way. Only one pet per passenger, carrier must fit under the seat.

Spirit Airlines

Has flights to Guayaquil but pet policies are more restrictive. Check their current policy before booking.

Important airline notes

• Book your pet's spot the same day you book your ticket. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight (usually 2-5 in cabin).
• Snub-nosed breeds (pugs, bulldogs, Persian cats) are often banned from cargo due to breathing risks at altitude. Some airlines ban them entirely.
• Summer flights through hot US cities can be embargoed for cargo pets when ground temperatures exceed 85F. Fly early morning or choose a cooler route.

What Happens When You Land in Ecuador

When you arrive at Mariscal Sucre (Quito) or Jose Joaquin de Olmedo (Guayaquil) airport, here is what to expect:

1. Immigration first — You go through normal immigration and collect your luggage (and your pet, if they flew as checked baggage or cargo).

2. AGROCALIDAD inspection — There is an AGROCALIDAD office inside both major airports. Present your pet and all documents. An AGROCALIDAD inspector will review your paperwork and do a visual inspection of your pet. This usually takes 15-30 minutes if your documents are in order.

3. If something is wrong — Missing the AGROCALIDAD import permit is the most common problem. Without it, your pet could be quarantined at the airport until the permit is issued, which could take days. Do not skip this document.

4. Quarantine — Ecuador does not have a mandatory quarantine period for pets arriving with proper documentation from the US, Canada, or EU. If your documents are complete, you walk out with your pet the same day.

If you are flying into Cuenca, note that the Cuenca airport has limited international flights. Most expats fly into Guayaquil or Quito and then take a domestic flight or drive to Cuenca. For domestic flights within Ecuador, your pet's import paperwork is already done — you just need to follow the domestic airline's pet policy.

Pet Life in Ecuador

Veterinary Care

Vet care in Ecuador is affordable and generally competent, though the standard varies. In Cuenca, there are dozens of veterinary clinics.

Typical costs:

• Routine vet visit / consultation: $20-40
• Vaccinations: $10-25 per shot
• Spay/neuter: $40-80
• Dental cleaning: $50-100
• Blood work panel: $30-60
• X-ray: $25-50

Recommended clinics in Cuenca:

• Clínica Veterinaria All Pets (Av. Solano) — Popular with expats, some English spoken, good range of services.
• Hospital Veterinario UNAM — Associated with the University of Azuay, good for complex cases and surgery.
• Clínica Veterinaria Santa Ana — Reliable for routine care and emergencies.
• Arca Veterinaria (Av. Remigio Crespo) — Well-equipped, handles emergencies.

For after-hours emergencies, several clinics in Cuenca offer 24-hour service. Save these numbers in your phone before you need them. Ask your regular vet which emergency clinic they recommend — referral patterns exist, and your vet's recommendation will get you seen faster.

Pet Food

You can find decent pet food in Ecuador, but the selection is different from what you are used to in the US.

Available at Supermaxi and Megamaxi:

• Royal Canin (full line — breed-specific, veterinary formulas)
• Hills Science Diet
• Pro Plan (Purina)
• Ecuadorian brands like ProCan and Buen Can (cheap, okay quality)

Prices: Premium brands (Royal Canin, Hills) cost roughly the same as in the US, sometimes 10-20% more due to import duties. A 15kg bag of Royal Canin runs $65-85. Budget brands like ProCan are $25-35 for 15kg.

Specialty pet stores: Megamaxi has the best selection of mainstream pet stores. There are also dedicated pet shops like Pet Planet and PetCity in Cuenca that carry a wider variety, including grain-free and raw options.

If your pet eats a very specific prescription diet, check availability before you move. Bring a 2-3 month supply in your luggage as a buffer while you find a local source.

Dog Parks and Walking

Cuenca is a good city for dogs. The weather is mild year-round (60-70F most days), and there are parks and river walks throughout the city.

Dog-friendly spots in Cuenca:

• Parque El Paraíso — The largest green space in Cuenca. Open fields, walking paths, and plenty of room for dogs to run (keep them leashed, technically required). Located on the south side of the city along the Yanuncay River.
• Parque de la Madre — Central park near the river, popular with expats and their dogs. Morning walks here are a social event.
• Yanuncay River Greenway — Paved paths along the Yanuncay River. Excellent for walks and jogs with your dog.
• Parque Pumapungo — Near the Pumapungo museum, nice flat paths.
• Sendero del Tomebamba — River path along the Tomebamba. Flat, scenic, popular with dog walkers.

There are no fenced, off-leash dog parks in Cuenca like you would find in US cities. The parks are multi-use, and while many people let their dogs off-leash in certain areas (especially early morning at Parque El Paraíso), it is technically not permitted and not always safe.

Common Issues and Gotchas

Altitude adjustment

If your pet lived at sea level and you are moving to Cuenca (8,400 feet / 2,560 meters), expect an adjustment period of 1-3 weeks. Dogs may be lethargic, eat less, or seem winded after exercise. This is normal. Avoid intense exercise for the first week. Brachycephalic breeds (pugs, bulldogs) have a harder time with altitude — discuss this seriously with your vet before moving.

New parasites and diseases

Ecuador has different parasites than the US. Ticks are more common and carry different diseases, including ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, which are more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. Fleas are year-round. Heartworm exists, especially at lower altitudes.

Keep your pet on tick and flea prevention (Bravecto, NexGard, Simparica — available at Cuenca vet clinics) and heartworm prevention if you travel to the coast or lower-elevation areas. Ask your Ecuadorian vet about a local prevention protocol.

Stray dogs

Ecuador has a significant stray dog population. In Cuenca, the situation has improved due to municipal spay/neuter programs, but you will still encounter strays daily. Most are docile, but some are territorial, and packs can be unpredictable.

Practical rules:

• Keep your dog on a leash when walking on streets. Always.
• Avoid engaging with stray packs. Cross the street if needed.
• If a stray approaches aggressively, stand your ground and make noise. Do not run.
• Carry a walking stick or umbrella on walks in more rural areas — it is not paranoia, it is what locals do.

Pet-friendly housing

Most landlords in Cuenca will allow pets, but always ask before signing a lease. Some furnished apartments prohibit pets due to damage concerns. Expect to pay a slightly higher deposit (an extra month's rent is common). Houses with yards in Misicata, Challuabamba, or Ricaurte are ideal if you have a large dog.

Bringing your pet back to the US

If you eventually return to the US, the process is easier in reverse. The US requires a valid rabies vaccination certificate for dogs entering the country. Cats have fewer requirements. Check CDC and APHIS regulations, which were updated in 2024 with stricter requirements for dogs entering from countries classified as high-risk for rabies. Ecuador is on the CDC's high-risk list, which means additional paperwork including a CDC Dog Import Form and potentially a rabies serology test.

The Math: Is It Worth Bringing Your Pet?

Total cost to bring a pet from the US to Ecuador:

• Vet visit and health certificate: $100-200
• USDA endorsement: $38 (standard fee) or $150 for expedited
• AGROCALIDAD permit: $10-25
• Airline cabin fee: $125-150
• Airline cargo fee (large dog): $200-400
• Pet crate (if cargo): $50-200

Total: $325-1,000 depending on your pet's size and travel method.

That is a small price to keep your family together. The paperwork is annoying, the timing is precise, and the airport experience is stressful. But every expat I know who brought their pet says the same thing: completely worth it.

Start the paperwork early, triple-check your documents before flying, and your pet will be exploring Parque El Paraíso within a week of landing.