Pet Cats In Bolivia: A Cultural Curiosity

Bolivia is home to a diverse range of wildlife, with rugged and wild terrain, extreme altitudes, and vast uninhabited rural areas. It is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, with over 300 mammal species recorded in the country. While there is no specific information on the number of pet cats in Bolivia, cats are the second most popular pet globally, with 95.6 million owned in the US alone as of 2017. Bolivia does allow cats to enter the country, provided they meet certain health requirements, indicating that pet cats are present in the country.

Vaccination requirements for cats entering Bolivia

Cats are permitted to enter Bolivia, and there will be no quarantine imposed on your pet as long as certain requirements are met.

Firstly, it is recommended that you microchip your cat and register your contact information before travelling. This is not mandatory, but it is a good idea in case your cat is lost or becomes separated from you. If your cat does not have a microchip, ensure they are wearing a tag with your contact information.

Your cat must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months before entering Bolivia. You should also vaccinate your cat against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia. A rabies titer test is not required.

A licensed veterinarian in your country of origin must issue a pet health certificate for your cat. This certificate must be prepared no more than 3 months before your arrival in Bolivia and must be endorsed by the Bolivian Consulate in your country. You should also have a Spanish translation of the certificate for customs officials, although it does not need to be endorsed.

Your cat must also receive a parasite treatment shortly before entering Bolivia.

When entering Bolivia by air, your cat must arrive via El Alto International Airport, 8 miles from La Paz. Your cat must be free of any diseases communicable to humans, and if they are not in good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

The role of cats in Bolivian society

Bolivia is home to a variety of cats, both domestic and wild. While there is limited information on the role of domestic cats in Bolivian society, it is clear that cats are kept as pets and valued for their companionship and ability to control rodents and other pests. Bolivia has import regulations for cats, indicating that people do bring their pet cats into the country.

The country is also home to several wild cat species, including the pampas cat, Geoffroy's cat, Andean mountain cat, ocelot, oncilla, jaguarundi, and cougar. These wild cats play an important ecological role in maintaining the balance of nature in Bolivia's diverse ecosystems.

In terms of veterinary care, Bolivia faces challenges due to its status as one of the poorest countries in Latin America. The Humane Society International (HSI) has been working to improve the skills of veterinarians across the country and increase access to low-cost spay/neuter services and essential vaccines. Their efforts have resulted in the establishment of high-quality spay/neuter programs even in rural communities, contributing to the growing animal welfare movement in Bolivia.

Overall, while the specific role of cats in Bolivian society may vary regionally and culturally, they are undoubtedly a part of the country's diverse fauna and play a role in the lives of Bolivians, whether as pets, working animals, or symbols of nature's beauty and power.

The number of cats in Bolivia

Bolivia is home to a variety of wildlife, including cats. While there are no precise figures on the number of pet cats in Bolivia, it is safe to assume that they are a common companion animal in the country. Here is an in-depth look at the role of cats in Bolivia and the efforts to improve their welfare.

The Presence of Cats in Bolivia

Cats are a part of the diverse wildlife in Bolivia, which boasts one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Bolivia's rugged geography and varying climate have led to the development of distinct ecosystems, allowing thousands of animal species to thrive. This includes wildcats such as the pampas cat, Geoffroy's cat, Andean mountain cat, ocelot, and oncilla, which are all native to the region.

Pet Cats in Bolivia

While there are no recent statistics on the exact number of pet cats in Bolivia, it is safe to assume that they are a common companion animal in the country. The presence of veterinary services and pet travel guidelines indicates that cats are kept as pets. The Humane Society of the United States (HSI), for example, operates a veterinary training center in La Paz, which offers low-cost spaying, neutering, and vaccination services for cats and dogs. This suggests that cats are indeed kept as pets and that there is a demand for veterinary care for companion animals in Bolivia.

Challenges and Initiatives

Bolivia faces challenges in providing accessible and affordable veterinary care due to a lack of resources and training for veterinarians. HSI's veterinary training program aims to address these issues by improving the skills of veterinarians across the country. The program has contributed to the emergence of high-quality spay and neuter programs, even in rural communities. This is particularly important in Bolivia, as one of the poorest countries in Latin America, where low-cost veterinary services are scarce.

While the exact number of pet cats in Bolivia remains unknown, it is evident that cats hold a place in Bolivian society, whether as wildcats or companion animals. Initiatives like HSI's veterinary training program play a crucial role in improving the welfare of cats in the country, ensuring they receive the care they need.

The cost of veterinary services in Bolivia

Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in Latin America, and as such, low-cost veterinary services are scarce for the country's cats and dogs. Contributing to the lack of accessible veterinary care is the suboptimal training of veterinarians. Universities lack the equipment, training, and expertise to properly prepare veterinary students to perform spay/neuter surgery.

The Humane Society International (HSI) has been working to address this issue by operating a veterinary training center in La Paz, the only one in the country, to improve the skills of veterinarians from across Bolivia and Latin America. The training is intensive and includes hands-on pain management, anesthesia, and surgical skills.

One of the success stories of HSI's program is that of a dog named Kitty, who was rescued from the streets by her owner. Thanks to the low-cost spay/neuter services and essential vaccines provided by the HSI training program, Kitty was humanely spayed and vaccinated, protecting her from various cancers and diseases.

Over the past two years, HSI's veterinary training program has provided low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations to more than 9,000 dogs and cats in La Paz. In 2023, they projected to provide low-cost spay/neuter surgeries to over 5,000 dogs and cats in the city. The program has had a significant impact, with high-quality spay/neuter programs now being run throughout the country, even in the most rural communities.

The process of importing cats to Bolivia

To import a cat to Bolivia, you must meet several requirements. The process can be summarised in the following steps:

Step 1: Vaccinate Your Cat

Your cat must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months before entering Bolivia. Cats may also be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and feline leukaemia.

Step 2: Microchip Your Cat

Although not required, it is recommended that your cat has a microchip and that your contact information is registered. This will help identify your cat should it become lost or separated from you during travel. If your cat does not have a microchip, ensure it wears a tag with identifying information.

Step 3: Obtain a Health Certificate

Obtain a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian in your country of origin. The certificate must be issued no more than three months before your arrival in Bolivia. It should include the complete identification of your cat, including breed, sex, and age, your name and address, the address of your destination in Bolivia, the date of the rabies vaccination and product used, and any other vaccines administered. Additionally, have a Spanish version of the certificate available for customs officials in Bolivia.

Step 4: Endorsements

The health certificate must be endorsed by the relevant government agency in your country responsible for the import and export of live animals. It also needs to be endorsed and legalised by the Bolivian Consulate in your country for a fee.

Step 5: Parasite Treatment

Ensure your cat undergoes a parasite treatment shortly before entering Bolivia.

Step 6: Entering Bolivia

Cats can enter Bolivia via El Alto International Airport, located 8 miles from La Paz. Upon arrival, your cat must be free of any evidence of disease communicable to humans. If your cat appears unwell, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Frequently asked questions