Sending your pets abroad

Gulf Air will accept the following types of household pets on board its aircraft:

Dogs, cats, pet birds, small fur-bearing animals such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs, and tropical fish. Please note the following conditions:

• Any other categories of animals must first be cleared through Gulf Air Cargo or its appointed agent.
  
  
• If you wish to ship your animals on Gulf Air, please contact the airline or its appointed agent at least two weeks before the planned date of travel.
  
  
• Many countries require an import licence, to be obtained in advance of the arrival of the animal.
  
  
• In addition, regulations in most countries demand that the animal is accompanied by a current health certificate, issued by a qualified veterinarian, to confirm the animal is healthy and disease-free.
  
  
• Notice should be taken of any quarantine periods required for the importation of animals, as these can be as long as six months and may cause suffering to the animal as well as financial and emotional distress to the owner.
  
  
• Certain countries only permit animals to be carried as cargo and not as accompanied baggage.
  
  
• Gulf Air does not permit the carriage of animals (except for see-ing eye dogs) in the passenger cabin of aircraft.
  
  
• It may be cheaper to take small animals as excess baggage, rather than cargo, when permitted by the country of destination.
  
  
• Live animals are not permitted to be part of a passenger-checked baggage allowance, and they must be charged as excess baggage or cargo.
  
  
• Live animals must be loaded in special IATA approved containers. Your local Gulf Air office or its approved agent can advise where to obtain these.
  
  
• Gulf Air does not recommend sedatives for live animals; however, these may be used at the owner's discretion.
  
  
• This list is only a guide to the shipment of animals and full details can be obtained from your local Gulf Air Office or its appointed agent.
  
  
• Further details of importation regulations for individual countries can be obtained from local embassies, chargé d'affaires or consulate offices.
  
  
• Gulf Air is recognised by the UK's Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) and EU Pet Passport System, which allows cats and dogs which have already been vaccinated against rabies and micro-chipped to be carried from Bahrain into London Heathrow, without the need for the lengthy six month quarantine period. For more information, click here.

Note: For more information, please contact the nearest Gulf Air office.