How to sell pet items or offer pet care in Colombia

A neighbor had been trying to sell a nearly new dog crate for weeks. Good photos, fair price, and nothing: people only wrote to ask "Is it still available?" and then disappeared. The problem wasn't the crate. It was that the ad didn't answer a single question a pet owner asks before buying: What size is it? Is it clean? Do you deliver it, or should I pick it up?

Selling pet supplies or offering animal care services in Colombia has a huge advantage: people who have a dog or cat love them like a child and are willing to pay to do things right. But that same emotional closeness makes the buyer more skeptical. A good ad earns that trust from the very first message. If you want to see what real ads in this category look like, you can check out the pets section on Colombia Move before posting yours. If you want to see real options right now, you can see pets and accessories on Colombia Move — posting is completely free.

In this guide, I'll tell you how to describe pet products and services so that serious people contact you, what to ask before agreeing to pet-sit, and where to post so you don't waste time with curious window shoppers. No nonsense.

First, define what you are going to offer

It sounds obvious, but it is the most common mistake: mixing everything in the same ad. "I sell accessories and also walk dogs" confuses the buyer and leaves you out of search results. Separate the two because buyers search for them differently.

• Products: accessories, toys, beds, crates, bowls, leashes, clothing, scratching posts, fish tanks, cages. Here, the buyer compares condition and price.
• Services: walking, daycare, at-home care, boarding, basic training, grooming. Here, the buyer compares trust and availability.

One important background note: in Colombia, Law 1774 of 2016 recognizes animals as sentient beings and protects them against suffering and pain. Keep your ad focused on accessories, products, and responsible care; selling animals casually not only looks bad, it goes against that animal welfare framework.

How to describe a pet product so it actually gets bought

A pet owner doesn't buy "a medium bed." They buy a bed that works for THEIR dog. Your job is to ensure they don't have to guess or message you to ask the basics. The more complete the ad, the fewer useless messages you get and the more decisive your buyers will be.

• Actual measurements: length, width, and height in centimeters. A bed or crate that "looks big" in a photo might not work.
• Compatible size/species: state what it's for ("ideal for dogs up to 15 kg" or "for adult cats"). That filters buyers automatically.
• Honest condition: new, like new, or used with flaws. If it has a chew mark or a stain, say so and show it. Honesty sells faster than hiding things.
• Material and cleaning: washable fabric, hard plastic, metal. Clarify if you've already washed or disinfected it; hygiene matters a lot with pet items.
• Brand and model if known: helps the buyer compare and build trust.
• Delivery or pickup: state if you deliver in a certain area, if they must pick it up, and avoid that constant question right from the start.
• Real photos: natural light, multiple angles, and a photo that shows the size (next to something recognizable). No stock photos from the internet.

About the price: there is no magic table. See what others are asking for similar items in similar condition and adjust accordingly. A used item in good condition with great photos moves better than a "like new" item with a blurry photo and an inflated price.

How to present a care, walking, or daycare service

Here, the buyer isn't buying an object from you: they are entrusting you with their pet. That is why a service ad is won or lost based on trust, not price. Be concrete about what you offer and, above all, what you DO NOT offer.

• What is included and what is not: "45-minute walk, one pet at a time" is more believable than "I pet-sit dogs." Clarify whether you handle multiple animals together or not.
• Coverage area: neighborhoods or districts where you work. Nobody wants a walker from across town.
• Hours and availability: days and time slots. If you can only do mornings, say so.
• Your experience: how many years you've been doing it, if you've owned pets, if you handle large dogs or shy cats. Be honest about your limits.
• How you handle an emergency: explain that you request the owner's vet details and an emergency contact. That provides a lot of peace of mind.

One boundary you must make crystal clear: if you are not a veterinarian, do not promise medical attention, do not medicate on your own, and do not offer medical opinions. For health issues, aggressive behavior, medication, or a sick animal, the correct thing to do is refer the owner to their veterinarian. That doesn't make you less professional; on the contrary, it makes you more trustworthy.

If you want to delve deeper into how to present yourself as a freelancer and get steady clients, this guide will help you: Offer your professional services in Colombia.

Questions you should ask before agreeing to care for a pet

Agreeing to watch an animal without asking anything is the fastest way to get into trouble. These questions protect you, the pet, and the owner, and they also make you look like someone who knows what they're doing.

• What type and size of pet is it, and how does it behave around strangers, other dogs, or children?
• Does it have any health conditions, allergies, or require medication I should know about?
• Is it up to date on its vaccinations? Asking for the card is reasonable, especially for rabies.
• What is its routine: food, schedule, walks, fears?
• Which vet does it see and what number should I call in an emergency?
• What is included and what isn't in our agreement (hours, number of visits, tasks)?

Regarding vaccines: the Ministry of Health promotes rabies vaccination for dogs and cats, which is usually administered starting at three months of age with an annual booster. You don't have to be an expert on the subject, but it is sensible to ask the owner for the vaccination card before a walk, daycare, or socialization with other animals. As a best practice, it is advisable to evaluate the animal and note its health and behavioral history before accepting it, regardless of the city.

Where to post and how to compare platforms

There is no single perfect platform; there is the one that brings you the right buyers for what you have. It's worth being on more than one and comparing which one responds best for you.

• Mercado Libre: has active categories for animals and pets (food, hygiene, care, accessories). Good for new or branded products, although it charges a commission and is more impersonal.
• Facebook Marketplace and local groups: lots of reach and direct contact, but also lots of curious people and those who haggle for sport. Watch out for scams.
• Specialized pet platforms: in Colombia there are services focused on dog walkers, pet boarding, and pet products. They serve as a reference for what people are looking for.
• Neighborhood WhatsApp groups: excellent for trusted local services, although the ad gets lost quickly in the chat.

If you sell through WhatsApp, it is worth doing it in an organized way so you don't burn out the chat or scare people away: this is how you post ads on WhatsApp without falling into spam. And if you want to sell other used things beyond pet items, see where to sell used things in Colombia.

Colombia Move is another practical option for this category: it is free, commission-free, with direct contact with the buyer, and clear descriptions that are understood in both Spanish and English. If you make a complete and honest ad, it stands out more easily against improvised posts.

Common mistakes that scare away buyers

• Bad photos or stolen from the internet: nothing generates more mistrust. Real photo or there is no sale.
• Ad without measurements or details: you force people to ask and most don't: they leave.
• Promising things you can't deliver: "available 24/7" or "I know veterinary medicine" when it's not true. It shows and it burns you.
• Empty profile: without a photo or name, your ad seems like nobody's. A complete profile changes everything.
• Responding late or coldly: the first one who answers well usually closes the sale. Be clear and friendly.

Frequently asked questions

❓ Where can I post pet items or services in Colombia?

You can use Mercado Libre, Facebook Marketplace, neighborhood WhatsApp groups, or specialized pet platforms. Colombia Move also works and is practical when you want a clear, free ad with direct contact with the buyer.

❓ What details should I include if I sell accessories for dogs or cats?

Put measurements in centimeters, material, actual condition, whether it is clean or disinfected, brand if you know it, and what size or species it is for. Add photos with natural light from various angles and clarify if you deliver or if it has to be picked up.

❓ How do I price used pet products?

Compare with similar items in similar condition, and adjust according to the state of yours. There is no fixed number; an honest, well-photographed used item moves faster than a poorly photographed and overpriced one.

❓ What should I clarify before caring for or walking a pet?

Make clear the schedule, the area, the type and size of pet you accept, what the service includes and what it doesn't, and how you handle an emergency. Always ask for the owner's veterinarian contact and a number for emergencies.

❓ Should I ask for the vaccination card?

Yes, it is reasonable, especially for walks, boarding, or socialization with other animals. The Ministry of Health promotes rabies vaccination for dogs and cats, usually from three months old with an annual booster, so asking for the valid card is a good care practice.

❓ Is it safe to care for other people's pets?

It can be safe if you agree in writing on the limits of the service, the emergency contact, vaccination status, the pet's temperament, and what to do in case of a veterinary emergency. Clarify that you do not provide veterinary medical care and confirm which vet to go to if something happens. Get to know the animal's behavior before accepting it and put everything in writing: this reduces risks for you, for the pet, and for the owner.

❓ How do I avoid wasting time with curious people?

Post your requirements, availability, area, and the basis of your charge directly on the ad. When everything is clear, whoever writes to you already comes decided and you filter only those who really want to buy or hire.

Do you have doubts about how to present your pet ad? Ask the community at colombiamove.com/comunidad — someone who already sells will surely give you a hand.