The Italian for pet is animale domestico, literally, a domestic animal.

The European Pet Passport (EU Pet Passport) allows for qualifying domestic animals (dogs, cats and ferrets) to freely cross borders in Europe.

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) provides for qualifying domestic pets to travel to and from the UK without undergoing quarantine.

Pet travel laws can be affected by exceptional outbreaks of diseases. Recent examples are Avian Influenza (the H5N1 strain of bird flu) and Foot and Mouth disease.

• A non-commercial importer may bring up to five pets into Italy, any more than five is treated as a commercial import
• If the rabies vaccination was the animal's first vaccine then it must wait for 21 days before entering the country 
• There is no time delay with booster injections; providing there is proof that the booster was administered before the last vaccine had expired
• An animal must be over three months old to enter Italian territory.

Moving Pets within the European Union

European Pet Passport

The EU Pet Passport is a booklet, identical for all European countries, which contains obligatory information concerning an individual animal: identification number, proof of valid vaccine against the rabies virus. It may contain other non-obligatory information. It is valid for the lifetime of the pet. Each passport is numbered for identification purposes.

Animals travelling within any European Union countries other than Ireland, Sweden, Malta and the United Kingdom need to have:

• identification by microchip or tattoo (tattoos are only acceptable until July 2011)
• valid vaccine against rabies (except when crossing the Finnish border, where animals must have proof of tapeworm – echinococcosis treatment).

All vets should have the relevant information and be able to prepare a pet for travel.

The EU Pet Passport can also be used when travelling between Europe and the following non-mainland European areas: Canary Islands, Azores and Madeira.

It may also be used when travelling between EU and other countries with the same rabies status. Included are: Andorra, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City State.

• See the EUROPA website 

Getting an EU Pet Passport

Only a licensed vet may issue the passport, and vaccinations should be kept current by the vet.

Before issuing it, the vet will confirm that the animal:

• is identified by a micro chip in the neck or tattoo in the ear
• has valid vaccines against rabies.
• has had a blood test to confirm the vaccine is in the system

Following these steps the vet can issue a certificate of health - the Pet Passport.

Arriving in Italy

A non-commercial importer may bring up to five pets into Italy, any more than five is treated as a commercial import.

Pet owners must carry a valid EU Pet Passport for each pet when entering Italy.

If the rabies vaccination was the animal's first vaccine then it must wait for 21 days before entering the country. There is no time delay with booster injections; providing there is proof that the booster was administered before the last vaccine had expired.

An animal must be over three months old to enter Italian territory.

Rabbits and rodents may travel without a pet passport but should be declared at the border.

All dogs travelling on public transport in Italy must be muzzled, on a lead and have their own ticket. 

• The British Embassy in Rome has a page on the subject: Click here

Moving Pets between Italy and the UK and Ireland

Dogs, cats and ferrets may travel between UK and Ireland, and Europe without quarantine, provided some (stringent) requirements are met. The system allowing travel is called the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).

DEFRA, the UK Department for Environment Food and Rural affairs, has comprehensive and up-to-date information on the website. It can also provide an information pack on request.

Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) from the DEFRA website: Click here 

Entering the UK or Ireland

Before entering Britain or Ireland (or Sweden or Malta) from Italy or elsewhere in the EU, an animal must:

• have a anti-rabies booster vaccination (the pet must be vaccinated by a vet)
• have a blood test. A blood sample will be taken 30 days after the vaccination and will be sent to an approved laboratory to confirm it has been effective. If the sample tests correct, the vet will sign the certificate. If the sample tests negative, the vaccination and sampling process will be repeated until successful and there will be a six-month delay (see note below)
• between 24 and 48 hours before departure from Italy the animal must be treated for ticks, and tapeworm (echinococcosis). An authorised vet must carry out this treatment
• have microchip identification, a tattoo is not acceptable
• have a valid European Pet Passport completed with certificates and documentation of treatments

Note: A passport cannot be issued until six months after a satisfactory blood test. Once the vet has issued the pet's documentation and that six-month period has passed the pet may enter the UK. The travel process is then much the same as above. The passport must be up to date and the rabies booster must be valid.

If the authorities are unsatisfied with the animal on entry to the UK it can be held in quarantine until the relevant tests are passed.

Further information from:

• Irish Department of Agriculture website
• British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, DEFRA

Moving Pets to Italy from outside the European Union

If taking the pet to a country outside the EU consult the Embassy or consulate to check the local regulations.

An animal entering Italy (or any EU country) from a non-EU country that has the same rabies controls need merely prove that the anti-rabies booster vaccinations are valid and up-to-date.

• The EUROPA website lists complying countries: Click here 

Animals from countries not included on the list need to have complete anti-rabies treatment. The Italian Embassy in the home country should be consulted.

Moving Pets to Italy from the United States or Canada

Animals from the USA and Canada may enter Italy if they have:

• a valid Veterinary Certificate (stating owners details, a description of the animal, details of identification and vaccinations)
• valid rabies vaccines
• a tattoo or a microchip (compatible with standards ISO-11784)

The cage or carrier must be labelled with the owner's name, and their (or a nominated person's) address and contact numbers in Italy.

Once in Italy, an Italian vet can issue an EU Pet Passport allowing travel within Europe.

• The United States Department of Agriculture provides information on moving pets to Italy: Click here
• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency website has further information: Click here 

Pet Carriers To and From Italy

It is essential to ensure that the pet is eligible to travel not only to or from Italy also any other countries it may pass through.

The animal will have to travel in an approved container. It must be big enough for the animal to stand, sit and turn around in during the journey. The container must allow adequate ventilation.

If the journey is longer than a few hours, food and drink may need to be supplied.

Several train companies, sea ferries and airlines carry caged animals across borders (normally a pet travelling by air will be in the hold). Consult the carrier for details.

Dogsaway has up-to-date lists of routes and carriers.

• For the Dogsaway (UK) website: Click here 

Pet Carriers Italy and the UK

Animals must be transported via approved routes.

• DEFRA approved carriers and their contact details: Click here 
• DEFRA has approved certain ports and airports: Click here 

Euro Tunnel is pet friendly, allowing pets to travel in the car.

• The website has information and check-in procedures: Click here 

Travelling with Guide Dogs

Guide dogs for the blind entering Italy must adhere to the same requirements as other domestic pets above. Once in Italy the service dog has unhindered access to all public buildings, shops and may travel unrestricted on all public transport.

Further Information

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Essential Information for Pet (Dogs & Cats) Owners in Italy
• For general information from the United States Department of Agriculture on pet travel: Click here
  

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