Cats In Space: Exploring Bahrain's Pet Travel Rules

If you are a cat owner and are considering travelling to Bahrain, you should be aware of the country's visa requirements. In general, all visitors to Bahrain need a visa to enter the country, which can be obtained on arrival or in advance. However, citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries (such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia) are exempt from this requirement and can enter using only their national ID card. It is important to note that your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival, and you must also hold a return or onward ticket.

Cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies and other diseases before entering Bahrain

If you are planning to take your cat or dog with you to Bahrain, there are a number of requirements that must be met. Firstly, all dogs and cats entering Bahrain must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant pet microchip. This should be a 15-digit, non-encrypted microchip that is implanted by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse. You should receive documentationsection about the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet's information in the manufacturer's database.

In addition to the microchip, there are also specific vaccination requirements for cats and dogs entering Bahrain. Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies, canine distemper, parvo, hepatitis, and Leptospira. Cats must receive the rabies vaccine and the tri-cat vaccines. These vaccinations must be administered no less than 30 days and not more than one year before entering Bahrain. Puppies and kittens must have two doses of all the required vaccines. The first dose can be given when they are two months old, and the second dose should be given two to three weeks later. After the second dose, there should be a gap of at least four weeks before the puppy or kitten enters Bahrain.

It is important to note that these requirements apply to all dogs and cats, including service and emotional support animals. To ensure a smooth entry process, it is recommended that you obtain an Import Permit and a Health Certificate for your pet. The Health Certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the governmental agency responsible for the import and export of animals. Additionally, a No Objection Certificate is required when entering Bahrain with a personal pet and is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

If your pet is entering Bahrain from a country considered rabies-free by the World Organization of Animal Health, no rabies titer test is needed. However, if your pet is coming from a rabies-controlled or high-rabies country, your veterinarian will need to administer a rabies titer test no sooner than 21 days after the primary vaccination to avoid quarantine. Even with a rabies titer test, your pet will be inspected by government authorities upon arrival and may be taken to a quarantine centre. Therefore, it is recommended to have the rabies titer test done regardless to ensure your pet's smooth entry into Bahrain.

Pets must arrive at Bahrain International Airport as air cargo

If you are planning to bring your pet to Bahrain, there are a number of requirements that must be met. Firstly, all dogs and cats entering Bahrain must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant pet microchip. This should be a 15-digit, non-encrypted microchip, and it must be implanted by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse.

In addition to the microchip, there are specific vaccination requirements for dogs and cats. Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies, canine distemper, parvo, hepatitis, and Leptospira, while cats must receive the rabies vaccine and the tri-cat vaccines. These vaccinations must be administered no less than 30 days and no more than one year prior to entry. If your pet is entering Bahrain from a country considered rabies-free by the World Organization of Animal Health, a rabies titer test is not required. However, if your pet is coming from a rabies-controlled or high-rabies country, your veterinarian will need to administer a rabies titer test no sooner than 21 days after primary vaccination.

After completing the necessary vaccinations, a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin must issue a pet health certificate for Bahrain within 10 days of travel. This form must be endorsed by the governmental agency responsible for the import and export of animals, and a copy of the rabies certificate and rabies titer test (if applicable) should also be included. Additionally, a No Objection Certificate is required when entering Bahrain with a personal pet and is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

When it comes to the transportation of pets to Bahrain, they must arrive at Bahrain International Airport in Muharraq as air cargo. You will need to book a flight with an airline that allows pets as cargo, such as Gulf Air, and ensure that your pet meets the requirements for their cargo services. The fee for this service will depend on the combined weight of your pet and its carrier. The carrier must be clean, leak-proof, and escape-proof to allow for safe handling during the flight.

It is important to note that there may be additional guidelines for the transportation of pets based on the country they are arriving from. Therefore, it is recommended to check with the relevant authorities in your country of origin and the destination country (Bahrain) to ensure you are complying with all the necessary regulations.

Animals must be identified with an ISO microchip

All dogs and cats entering Bahrain must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785-compliant pet microchip. This is a 15-digit, non-encrypted microchip that should be implanted by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse. You should receive documentation regarding the manufacturer of the microchip, as well as instructions on how to register your pet's information in the manufacturer database.

If your pet's microchip is not ISO-compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.

A No Objection Certificate is required when entering Bahrain with a pet

When travelling with a pet, it is important to be aware of the import regulations of your destination country. Bahrain has specific requirements for pets entering the country, and failure to comply may result in quarantine, return to the country of origin, or even euthanasia of your pet. Therefore, it is crucial to understand and follow the rules of the country you are visiting.

One of the key documents required when entering Bahrain with a personal pet is the No Objection Certificate. This certificate is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and is an essential part of the import process. It is worth noting that this requirement applies specifically to personal pets, and there may be different or additional requirements for other types of animals.

To obtain the No Objection Certificate, you must ensure that your pet meets several health and vaccination requirements. Firstly, your pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip, which should be implanted by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse. This microchip should be 15-digit and non-encrypted, and you should receive documentation regarding the manufacturer and instructions for registering your pet's information.

Additionally, specific vaccination requirements must be met. Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies, canine distemper, parvo, hepatitis, and Leptospira, while cats must receive the rabies vaccine and the tri-cat vaccines. These vaccinations should be administered at least 30 days but not more than one year before entering Bahrain. If your pet is coming from a country considered rabies-controlled or high-rabies, your veterinarian will need to perform a rabies titer test no sooner than 21 days after the primary vaccination to avoid quarantine.

Once the vaccinations are completed, a licensed veterinarian in your country of origin must issue a pet health certificate for Bahrain within 10 days of travel. This form must be endorsed by the governmental agency responsible for the import and export of animals, and a copy of the rabies certificate and rabies titer test (if applicable) should be included. It is also strongly recommended that your pet receives treatment for internal and external parasites shortly before entering Bahrain.

By following these steps and obtaining the necessary No Objection Certificate, you can help ensure a smooth entry into Bahrain with your furry companion.

The animal's health certificates and proofs of vaccination must be originals, not copies

When travelling with a pet to Bahrain, it is essential that all health certificates and proofs of vaccination are originals, not copies. This is a requirement for all pets entering the country.

The process of relocating to Bahrain with a pet is straightforward, with no quarantine period required, as long as all the necessary steps are followed. It is important to comply with all the Bahrain government requirements, which include specific vaccinations and treatments.

For cats and dogs, the following steps must be completed before entering Bahrain:

• The pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit non-encrypted microchip.
• The microchip must be implanted by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse, and the owner should receive documentation about the microchip and instructions on how to register their pet.
• The pet must be vaccinated against rabies and other common diseases, such as distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus. These vaccinations must be administered no less than 30 days and not more than one year before entering Bahrain.
• A licensed veterinarian must issue a pet health certificate within 10 days of travel, which must be endorsed by the relevant government agency.
• A rabies titer test may be required if the pet is entering from a country that is not considered rabies-free.
• Puppies and kittens must have two doses of the required vaccinations, with the first dose given at two months old and the second dose 2-3 weeks later.
• All dogs and cats must be free of communicable diseases when examined at the entry airport.
• Internal and external parasite treatment is strongly recommended before entering Bahrain.

By following these steps and providing original health certificates and proofs of vaccination, pet owners can ensure a smooth process when bringing their furry companions to Bahrain.

Frequently asked questions