Is Ecuador a good place to travel or relocate to with your cats and/or dogs?

Here are reviews and details to help you see if this country is a good place to travel with your pets

Official Ecuadorian government website on importing pets

Official government website on pets coming from the US to Ecuador

Entry Requirements from Non-high Rabies Country 

Medical Requirements: 

1. The dog/cats is examined by a certified vet within 10 days prior to entry of the animals to Ecuador. During this examination, the animals were found free of clinical signs of infectious diseases and parasites, as well as wounds in process of healing. The
2. Treated against internal (e.g. worms)  and external parasites (e.g. ticks) within 21 days before getting on the plane
3. Vaccines for cats: feline panleukopeia, feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus
4. Vaccines for dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus,
5. Rabies Vaccine: 1st vaccine has to be given at least 14 days before entering Ecuador
6. Rabies Titer Test (blood test): Required for pets coming from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceana

Documentation Required and how to get it:

Documents need to be completed in Spanish (according to multiple sources) and possibly English (According to the official site)

Health certificate required for dogs

Health certificate required for cats

There is a different process if the pet is accompanying the owner on the plane vs. arriving through cargo.

For animals arriving through a land border or on the plane with their owners, you need an Export Animal Health Certificate issued by the Official Veterinary Service of the country of origin

For animals arriving in cargo, you will get an Import Certificate after your pet is inspected, and there is a fee of around $ 30 USD per pet.

Additional Considerations

Microchip Requirements:

Yes

Quarantine Requirements (if any):

NA other than exceptional circumstances

Breed Restrictions:

None are listed on the official government documentation, but a news article states rottweilers and pit bulls are going to be banned as pets starting in 2023.

Number of pet restrictions: 

None listed

Age requirement: 

Pets need to be older than 3 months

Does the CDC consider Ecuador high-risk rabies for entry into the US?

You will need to get an export permit and a tapeworm treatment from a vet within 7 days of leaving the country (Ecuador requirement)

This country is not rabies free and will require a titer test.

Ecuador is also not free of screw worm or foot and mouth disease

Is this country considered high rabies for entry into EU countries?

You will need to get an export permit and a tapeworm treatment from a vet within 7 days of leaving the country. (Ecuador requirement)

This country is not rabies free and will require a titer test.

Are you flying to Ecuador?

Read Flying with a Dog Under the Airplane Seat: The Ultimate Guide

Read Flying with a Big Dog: Travel Tips for Ease & Safety

This information was last updated February 2023. 
If you notice any errors or updates, please let us know by contacting us here.