There are a number of regulations involved when taking domestic animals into Bahrain. An import permit must be applied for from the Veterinary Quarantine Authority in Bahrain. Bahrain is part of the PETS scheme which allows pets which have been properly vaccinated and micro chipped to be transported between member countries.

Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies, parvo, hepatitis, canine distemper and leptospira and must have certification from a veterinarian to state that these vaccinations have been administered. Puppies which are younger than 2 months must have all of these vaccinations administered and then again within a month before they are shipped to Bahrain.

Cats should have the tri-cat and rabies vaccines and must also have certification from a veterinarian which states these have been administered. As for puppies, kittens should have the vaccines and then re-administered within a month before travelling. The most recent vaccination should have been not more the six months prior to travelling but not within one month of the planned journey. All pets also have to be micro chipped.

If you arrive in the country with a pet that does not have the correct documentation then it is possible that the animal will be placed into quarantine or the owner forced to return with the pet to the home country. It is a good idea to check with the Bahrain embassy in your home country to obtain the latest information on which animals can be transported and the regulations which must be followed.

When transporting the pets they must be kept in locked, comfortable cages which are clearly marked with the owner’s details and the owner should have all the relevant documentation with them when they arrive in Bahrain. If shipping a pet from the US or Canada there is an automatic period of quarantine of 30 days. Airlines and other shipping companies will require documentation that the pet is healthy before they allow transportation. It is not recommended to sedate animals before flying as this can do more harm than good.

There are a number of English speaking veterinary surgeons in Bahrain so finding care for a pet should be a fairly straightforward task. The standard of care is very good and most vets will have studied and trained at universities in the US or the UK. Finding supplies of pet food is also fairly easy to do, as some foreign brands of pet food are imported into the country. Bahrain also has several kennels and catteries where pets can be boarded if you need to be away for a few days.