One of the decisions to make when relocating to a foreign country is what to do about pets. For many expats, there is no question at all to answer. They are a treasured member of the family and leaving them behind would be on a par with leaving the children. If you comply with all the Bahrain government requirements, the process is straightforward, with no quarantine period required.Ìý
Requirements for travelling to Bahrain with pets
For domestic animals other than cats and dogs, please contact theÌýÌýor your nearestÌý.
It is a ministry requirement that in addition to a current valid vaccination record, pets must also have been vaccinated within the last 12 months and at least four weeks before entering Bahrain. It is recommended that these vaccines should have an annual booster but discuss this with your chosen veterinarian when you arrive in Bahrain.
Bahrain requires the following minimum vaccinations:
Dogs
Rabies, DHLP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus).
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Rabies, Tri-cat (feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia).
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A minimum of 2 doses are required for the above vaccinations. Should the animal not have received one of the vaccinations before, it may be necessary for them to be given within a short period of each other, contrary to veterinarian advice. The animal will not be eligible for entry to the country until 21 days following the second dose of vaccine.
Ensure the veterinarian inserts the manufacturer supplied vaccination stickers in the pet passport or on any vaccination certificates. These will be required to issue the necessary import permit in Bahrain. The veterinarian must sign and date as necessary and stamp the paperwork with the official practise stamp.
Microchip
All pets must be identified with an ISO microchip. For those animals which do not yet have a microchip, this must be carried out prior to administering the rabies vaccination. The microchip details are recorded at the time of rabies vaccination. Failure to adhere to this procedure will require the rabies vaccine to be administered a second time after microchipping.
Rabies blood test
Animals arriving from a country not considered to be "Rabies Clear" will require a rabies titre test (RNATT) certification from an approved/accredited laboratory. The blood test is carried out no less than 21 days after the primary rabies vaccination. Certification will remain valid only when the rabies vaccination is renewed within the life of the previous vaccination. The certification will require the stamp an official laboratory stamp.
External and internal parasite treatment
All dogs and cats require internal and external parasite treatment (deworming, tick and flea) 5 days prior to travel:
Puppies must be at least three months of age to enter Bahrain. Your pet will not be required to undergo quarantine procedures of more than a few hours on arrival, as long as all the requirements are met.
All pets must also have a valid import permit, issued by the Veterinary Quarantine Authority, part of the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs. On arrival in Bahrain, authorities will complete any necessary tests on your pet, which should take 2-4 hours. Once your pet completes this process, they are free to enter the country.
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It is essential that all health certificates and proofs of vaccination are originals, not copies.
Pet air travel in Bahrain
Pets that enter Bahrain must do so by air, via Bahrain International Airport as air cargo. Bahrain's national carrier, Gulf Air, provides animal transport, as do most other major airlines.
Contact your chosen airline well in advance to book travel for your pet, as extra fees and regulations are applicable. You will also need to provide an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved pet crate for air travel. Consider purchasing your crate in advance of travel, so your pet has time to get used to it and feel comfortable for the journey. Travelling can be stressful for animals.
As a rule, pets are required to travel as cargo, and cannot go in the cabin with you.
Should you feel arranging all this is too much, on top of organising your own relocation, there are many third-party services who can arrange your pet's travel. These will be found in your own country, and there are several in Bahrain. These companies will be aware of the latest regulations and can deal with them accordingly. It has been known that the rules on importation of animals have changed while pets have been in transit. These companies are best placed to deal with such occurrences.
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It can be a lengthy process to check-in an animal for export. It is recommended to arrive at the airport with your pet at least six hours before your flight.
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