VC
valentina castaño
Apr 30, 2026
I went to Sango Veterinary Hospital for an international travel consultation for my dog, Africa, because they offer International Health Certificates and USDA endorsement services.
I clearly explained that this was a temporary trip to Colombia and that I would be returning to the United States in 10 days with my dog. My husband was present during the entire consultation by phone to assist with communication, and the clinic also has Spanish-speaking staff. There was no lack of clarity regarding the nature of this trip.
They reviewed all documentation, charged for the international process, and issued the health certificate.
However, when I attempted to return to the United States, I was informed that a required re-entry document had never been completed. Due to this omission, I have now been stranded in Colombia with my dog for over 10 days, incurring hotel, food, transportation, veterinary expenses, and flight changes, in a country where I do not reside. It is also important to note that I provided my official U.S. residential address during the consultation.
My husband was forced to return alone to the United States for work, without his service dog. Africa is not just a pet—she is his service dog for anxiety support, and her absence has had a serious emotional and medical impact.
What is most concerning is that the clinic acknowledged in writing that “the form was missed” and that the health certificate was completed incorrectly. Despite this, they are now attempting to shift responsibility onto me, even suggesting a “language barrier,” which is inaccurate and unacceptable given that communication support was present throughout the entire consultation.
Additionally, even in the hypothetical scenario that the return had not been mentioned—which is not the case—it remains the responsibility of the clinic, as a provider of international travel services, to ask the necessary questions and verify all travel requirements. It is not professional to assume that a client will not return to the United States without explicitly confirming that information.
The only solution they have proposed is to start an entirely new process from Colombia, including the possibility of quarantine for more than 28 days, along with significant costs and delays. This is not a reasonable solution given that the situation was caused by an error already acknowledged by the clinic.
Their response has been insufficient. Despite admitting the mistake, they have not taken responsibility for the consequences nor provided a solution proportional to the impact caused.
This situation reflects a serious failure in the handling of international veterinary services, with significant, stressful, and entirely avoidable consequences.