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 themselves before buying: what size is it?, is it clean?, do you deliver or do I have to pick it up?

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

In this guide, I tell you how to describe pet products and services so serious people message you, what to ask before agreeing to care for an animal, and where to post so you don't waste time with curious onlookers. 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 I also walk dogs" confuses the buyer and keeps you out of search results. Separate the two because buyers look 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.

An important underlying point: 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 carelessly 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 make sure they don't have to guess or message you to ask the basics. The more complete the ad, the fewer useless messages and the more determined buyers you will have.

• Actual measurements: length, width, and height in centimeters. A bed or crate that "looks big" in a photo might not work.
• Compatible size/species: say what it's for ("ideal for a dog up to 15 kg" or "for an adult cat"). That filters on its own.
• Honest condition: new, like new, or used with flaws. If it has a bite 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 have already washed or disinfected it; hygiene matters a lot with pet items.
• Brand and model if known: helps the buyer compare and trust.
• Delivery or pick up: say if you deliver to a certain area, if they have to pick it up, and avoid that constant question from the start.
• Real photos: natural light, multiple angles, and a photo that shows the size (next to something familiar). No photos pulled 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, well-photographed, moves better than one that is "like new" 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 trusting you with their pet. That is why a service ad is won or lost based on trust, not price. Be specific 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." Clarify if you handle several animals together or not.
• Coverage area: neighborhoods or districts where you work. Nobody wants a walker from the other side of the city.
• Hours and availability: days and time slots. If you can only do mornings, say so.
• Your experience: how many years you have been doing it, if you have had pets, if you handle large dogs or skittish cats. Be honest about your limits.
• How you handle an emergency: explain that you ask for the owner's vet details and an emergency contact. That is very reassuring.

A limit you must make very clear: if you are not a veterinarian, do not promise medical care, do not medicate on your own, and do not give opinions on illnesses. For health, aggressive behavior, medication, or a sick animal, the right thing to do is to refer the owner to their vet. That doesn't make you less professional; on the contrary, it makes you more reliable.

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

Questions you must ask before agreeing to care for a pet

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

• What type and size of pet is it, and how does it behave with 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 vaccination record is reasonable, especially for rabies.
• What is its routine: food, schedules, walks, fears?
• Which vet does it go to, and what number should I call in an emergency?
• What is included and what is not in what we agreed upon (hours, number of visits, tasks)?

About vaccinations: the Ministry of Health promotes rabies vaccination for dogs and cats, which is usually given from 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 record 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 behavior 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 is 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: great reach and direct contact, but also many curious people and those who haggle for sport. Watch out for scams.
• Specialized pet platforms: in Colombia, there are services focused on pet walkers, daycare, 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 via WhatsApp, it's worth doing it in an organized way so as not to spam the chat or scare people off: this is how you post ads on WhatsApp without falling into spam. And if you want to sell other used things beyond pet items, check out where to sell used items in Colombia.

Colombia Move is another practical option for this category: it's 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 compared to improvised posts.

Common mistakes that scare away buyers

• Bad photos or stolen from the internet: nothing generates more distrust. Real photo or no sale.
• Ad without measurements or details: you force people to ask and most don't ask: they just leave.
• Promising things you can't deliver: "available 24/7" or "I know veterinary medicine" when it's not true. It shows and it ruins your reputation.
• Empty profile: without a photo or name, your ad seems like it belongs to no one. A complete profile changes everything.
• Responding late or coldly: the first one who responds 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 platforms specializing in pets. 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'm selling accessories for dogs or cats?

Include 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 whether you deliver or if it needs to be picked up.

❓ How do I price used pet products?

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

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

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

❓ Should I ask for the vaccination card?

Yes, it is reasonable, especially for walks, daycare, or socialization with other animals. The Ministry of Health promotes rabies vaccination for dogs and cats, usually from three months of age with an annual booster, so requesting the current 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 a veterinary emergency. Clarify that you do not provide veterinary medical care and confirm which veterinarian to go to if something happens. Know the animal's behavior before accepting it and leave everything in writing: this way you reduce risks for yourself, the pet, and the owner.

❓ How do I avoid wasting time with curious people?

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

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