Can I bring my dog or cat to Bali?

UPDATED MAY 2023

Pet Relocation to Bali

Legally, it is prohibited to transport dogs or cats to or from Bali, as a measure to manage the spread of rabies in Indonesia. Before undertaking such a journey, I would strongly recommend exploring alternative options. Bringing your pet to Bali can be a costly undertaking, and if you plan to leave Bali, the quarantine period necessary to enter your next destination can be a challenging experience for your pet.

How can I bring my dog or Cat to Bali?

That being said, while acknowledging the existence of a grey area, I have partnered with a highly reliable and certified pet relocation company with a proven track record of over a decade of successful transport to and from Bali.

Depending on your location, the pet relocation company can provide door-to-door service to several countries, including the UK, Singapore, Amsterdam, Germany, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, and Australia.

There are two ways to organise transportation from your home to Jakarta; arriving or departing with owner on same flight as excess baggage or arriving as consigned cargo.

How long does it take to arrange pet transport to Bali?

To determine the timeline for relocating your dog or cat, it is recommended to count back 12-13 weeks from your intended arrival date in Bali. The first step is to microchip and vaccinate your pet against rabies using a special form provided by the relocation company. Thirty days later, a Rabies Blood Titre Test must be conducted, and once the results are received, the pet relocation company can apply for an Indonesian import permit, which may take 4-5 weeks to be issued. This entry permit is issued by the Director of Animal Health, Directorate General of Animal Husbandry in Indonesia.The permit is valid for three months. The sooner the tests are conducted, the faster the permit application process can be completed, and you can be in Bali with your pet.

Your pet will need to be flown to Jakarta, Indonesia, and then quarantined in a government facility close to the airport for seven days (this is non-negotiable, previously it used to be 2-3 weeks). You cannot visit your pet at the facility but will be provided with updates where possible. Following the quarantine period and a negative PCR test, from Jakarta, the pet relocation company will transport your pet to Bali via an air-conditioned van using the ferry transport service. Please note that this transportation may be shared with other pets being relocated unless you specifically request and pay for a private service. Communication is facilitated through a WhatsApp group chat for prompt and efficient updates. 

How much does it cost to relocate my pet?

The total Indonesian journey that includes quarantine in Jakarta and travel to Bali costs approximately 23 million IDR ($1,500 USD) – 36 million IDR ($2,400 USD) per pet. The company maintains a transparent and straightforward process, ensuring there are no hidden costs along the way. 

Quarantine Considerations for your Dog or Cat when leaving Bali

If you’re considering bringing your pet to Bali, it’s important to also consider the regulations of the receiving country if you plan to leave Bali and return home with your pet. For example, if you’re moving back to Australia, your animal must fly to Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore or another rabies-free country that accepts them. They’ll then need to stay in quarantine for 3 to 6 months, and these rules may change periodically.

The quarantine return can happen either in a kennel or a rental property. The pet doesnt necessarily need to be in a facility, but they must have spent a certain amount of time in a rabies-free country before entering Australia. Once in Australia, usually arriving in Sydney or Melbourne, the animal will need to undergo a second quarantine period. It’s understandable that this process can become quite expensive.

How can you help me relocate my pet to Bali?

If you would like to bring your pet to Bali, I offer my trusted pet relocation specialist as one of my key contacts in the Our Year in Bali Silver package. Once you become a client and sign up to my Silver package, I will introduce you directly to the pet relocation company, and get you to fill in the client quotation form. These forms typically asks for information such as the breed, age, measurements, photos, weight, vaccinations, and current location of your pet. 

If you are interested in learning more about how we can work together which includes relocation services such as visas and KITAS, transportation, healthcare, education, finding a home, cost of living, schooling, opening a business and so much more, click here to book a free 30 minute discovery call. 

Bali Dogs: Bali’s own Breed of Dog

When it comes to Bali dogs, did you know the ‘Bali dog’ is a breed, not just a dog that lives in Bali? These dogs are sacred and studies concluded that the Bali dog is the oldest breed of dog known to man. The threatened indigenous Bali dog is the purest breed in the world!

The Bali dog is faithful, calm and respectful and has lived in unison with humans forever. They learn from a young age, from their parents, how to navigate the rice fields, roads and people. Plus, the Bali Dog is genetically unique, highly intelligent and of significance to science. 

Stray pets & Adoption in Bali

Bali already has a big problem with stray dogs and there is such a need and ongoing opportunity for expats to adopt and foster dogs. Just look every day on Bali Facebook groups and you will see expats asking people to find homes for cats and dogs they find. When it comes to vet visits, pet food and accessories, these are all a lot cheaper in Bali than back home. 

There are some wonderful non-profit organizations based in Bali that work to save, protect and improve the lives of these animals. Some awesome organisations include: Mission Pawsible , Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA), Bali Paws and the Instagram account @act4balidogs.

According to BAWA, each year, up to a thousand animals in the most severe conditions or life-threatening situations are brought into a BAWA facility or directly to a clinic and, at any given time, they have between 250-300 animals in care between their four adoption centres, clinics, and foster homes.

They successfully rehome approximately 500 animals each year. They also educate communities about animal welfare and rights, intervene in situations of animal abuse and neglect, and push for changes to laws and their enforcement to better protect the animals in Bali. Depending on where you live in Bali, BAWA is always looking for volunteers so check out their website.

You can also donate to these great causes from a distance and make a sustainable difference to the lives of these animals. Follow their accounts and see the great work they are doing every day. 

It also goes without saying, anyone coming into contact with animals in Bali should have anti-rabies vaccinations. It is best to get the rabies vaccination before your arrival as it is not always available should you need it in an emergency. Apart from stray dogs, people have been bitten by monkeys as well. For example, you can see wild monkeys at many temples, various beaches, mountains in Bedugul and the famous Monkey Forest in Ubud.

INTERESTED in Moving to Bali with Your Pet?

Our Year in Bali consults with anyone around the world who would like to move to Bali. If you are keen to move to Bali and want to bring your pet with you or want to know more about the costs of living and logistics, read about our consulting offers and request a free 30 minute initial consultation call.