Having a Pet in Italy - What you Need to Know

By Richard Greenbury
12 Oct 2019

Are you planning to get a pet? Are you moving to Italy and taking your pet with you? Well, have no fear, below you can find everything that you need know!

pets to italy

How to bring your pet to Italy?

The first thing that you should know is that bringing your pet to Italy can be a stressful process. There are a lot of moving parts and you’ll need to prepare well in advance! Here’s what you need to know.

What you need to do before you can get your documents?

Before you can get any documents for travelling, there are a couple of steps you need to take whether you’re coming from inside or outside the EU.

Get your pet an ISO-compliant
Vaccinate your pet against rabies 21 days before your departure (after the microchip has been inserted)
Check with your airline that animals can fly with them

If you’re travelling within the EU

from within the eu

You may be wondering if your pet will need to spend time in quarantine but don’t worry, if you have the necessary documents, you and your pets can travel freely thanks to the European Union Pet Travel Scheme or PETS. To allow this, you’ll need a pet passport!

What is a Pet Passport?

With this, animals can travel freely throughout the EU.
It has everything from a unique ID number to the microchip details and family information.
It keeps track of your pet’s inoculation dates.
It has to be signed by a registered vet and a rabies vaccination sticker must be stuck into the passport and signed off.

How do you get a Pet Passport?

You have to live in the EU.
Your pet must have been microchipped and have been vaccinated against rabies.
You’ll need to check your country’s rules and regulations as they are all unique and are regularly updated.
You should go to your vet to start the process as soon as possible.
You’ll have to pay a fee – it really depends on the country, but it should be around 30 euros.

When will you need to show the pet passport?

You could be asked to show your pet’s passport at any point during your journey and when you arrive in Italy you should carry it with you.

If you’re travelling from outside the EU

This can be a tricky process but if you follow the steps, it should be easy! The most important thing to remember is to start early and ensure you have everything in order.

What documents do you need?

You’ll need a European Community Veterinary Certificate for each pet that you’re travelling with! You and your vet should each have a copy.
This certificate has all the relevant information along with the details of the microchip and vaccination details. It has to be signed by a registered vet!

Where do you get this certificate?

You’ll need to get this health certificate from a certified vet and ensure that it’s up to date!
It’s a good idea to go to your vet as soon as possible to begin the process.

Some General Information

Whether you are travelling from inside or outside the EU, there are some things that you’ll need to look into if you’re bringing your pet with you.

How do you transport them?

If you’re transporting your pet by ship or ferry, you’ll need to notify the shipping company. Each company has particular requirements so you should do your research.
If you’re transporting your pets by air, you’ll need to check out their rules and regulations. Some airlines may allow your pet to be in cabin or others may require them to stay in the hold.
You should discuss how to keep your pet calm and relaxed during the journey with your vet!

What to do before you leave

Ensure that you have all of the necessary documents and that they are signed and valid.
Think about ways that you could make your pet’s journey more comfortable!
Look into the essentials like pet insurance and new vets before you arrive.

Getting a Pet in Italy

Before you get a pet

Check your building regulations and look at your rental contract to ensure that you aren’t breaking any rules!
Make sure that you’ve thought carefully about the logistics (who will watch your pet when you’re away, whether you have the funds to support your pet etc.).
Look at the big picture and your long-term plans!

Where can you find a pet?

Italy has numerous adoption centres that are full of animals just waiting for their forever home. Check out the following:
- MondoGatto (https://www.mondogatto.org)
- Enpa (http://www.enpa.it/)
- Il Cerca Padrone (https://www.ilcercapadrone.it/) *online*
There are, of course, breeders and pet shops where you can buy animals especially if you’re looking for a specific breed.
Facebook has really started to boom with pet adoptions so check out the online groups and find lots of animals looking for a home.

After you have your pet in Italy

Some general information

Dogs must be registered at your local anagrafe canina or dog bureau when they are three months old (or upon your arrival).
It’s a good idea to get your pet microchipped if you haven’t already!
Dogs and cats don’t need to wear collars and tags, but it’d recommended that they do.
All dogs must be kept on a lead on public transport and in cities.
If you’re taking your dog on public transport, you’ll need to buy him a ticket if he can’t be carried.

What vaccinations are needed?

The following vaccinations are required for dogs:
- Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Leptospirosis, (DHLPP) and Rabies within the last 12 months or a minimum of 4 weeks before arrival
The following vaccinations are required for cats:
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia (FVRCP), and Rabies within the last 12 months or a minimum of 4 weeks before arrival.
It’s really important to take your pet to the vet when you arrive in Italy or when you first pick them up and ensure that all of their vaccinations are correct and up to date.

What about insurance?

You can purchase health insurance from a number of companies and it’s important that you do as vet fees are high!
Here are a few insurance providers that you should check out:
- Allianz Pet Care (https://petcare.allianz.it/)
- AXA (https://www.axa.it/assicurazione-cane-gatto)

Now, that you know all the facts, are you ready to get a pet?

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Richard

Richard is the founder of Cribmed. He was born and grew up in New Zealand. In his twenties, he traveled and backpacked extensively before finally settling down in Rome, Italy in 2011.