Pet Import Permit Details
🐶 Dogs & Cats 🐱
The Bahamas has established specific conditions for importing cats and dogs based on comprehensive risk analysis. All imports must be BAHFSA compliant and meet sanitary requirements to manage disease risks including Rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, and other specified conditions.
Import Permit Requirements
For Countries FREE from Rabies (WOAH Certified):
Dogs Requirements:
- International veterinary certificate (within 48 hours of importation)
- Must be over 6 months of age
- Vaccinated against: Rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, Adenovirus
- Free of internal parasites (negative stool test)
- Free of external parasites
Cats Requirements:
- International veterinary certificate (within 48 hours of importation)
- Must be over 6 months of age
- Vaccinated against: Rabies, Feline Leukemia, Feline Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Pneumonitis
- Free of internal parasites (negative fecal test)
- Free of external parasites
For Countries NOT FREE from Rabies:
Dogs Requirements:
- International veterinary certificate (within 48 hours of importation)
- Must be over 6 months of age
- Rabies vaccination by either:
- 1-year vaccine: within 10 months, not less than 1 month prior
- 3-year vaccine: within 34 months, not less than 1 month prior
- Additional vaccines: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Coronavirus
- Free of internal and external parasites
Cats Requirements:
- International veterinary certificate (within 48 hours of importation)
- Must be over 6 months of age
- Same rabies vaccination schedule as dogs
- Additional vaccines as specified for rabies-free countries
It's Time to Take Your Furry Friend 🐶 on a New Adventure! 🐱 🌴
🐰 Rabbits
The Bahamas permits rabbit importation following WOAH guidelines. The import risk analysis focuses on managing ecto-parasites (including ear mites) and endo-parasites (including Coccidia sp. and Salmonella sp.).
Import Permit Requirements for Rabbits
All Rabbit Imports Must Include:
- International veterinary certificate (within 10 days of importation)
- Certificate must include rabbit breed information
- Must attest rabbits are free from disease signs, especially ecto-parasites (ear mites)
- Must be treated for endo-parasites including Coccidia sp. and Salmonella sp.
- No confirmed exotic animal disease outbreaks within 75-mile radius of origin
Is Your Cotton Tail Ready to Hop Down the Sandy Trail? 🐰 🌴
🦅 Companion Birds (Non-CITES)
The Bahamas allows importation of non-CITES companion birds following comprehensive risk analysis. Import conditions focus on preventing Newcastle disease, Fowl typhoid, Pullorum disease, Ornithosis (Psittacosis), High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza, and other exotic avian diseases.
Import Permit Requirements for Birds
All Bird Imports Must Include:
- International veterinary certificate (within 24 hours of exportation)
- Birds must be in good health and free from:
- Newcastle disease
- Fowl typhoid
- Pullorum disease
- Ornithosis (Psittacosis)
- High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza
- Any other exotic avian diseases
- Must be shipped in new containers
- Subject to inspection by BAHFSA Veterinary Officer at Port of Entry
- No disease outbreaks within 75-mile radius of origin