Living in Italy with Pets

 

INBOUND TRAVEL – Moving to Italy with pets

If you plan to bring pets with you to Camp Ederle, it’s important to start planning early to ensure the safe arrival of your pet.  Certain animals, including some dog breeds and some more unconventional pets, are not allowed entry into Italy. Your pet may be restricted, or there may be special permits required. Contact your military veterinary clinic and/or the Italian Embassy/Consulate in your area for information on whether your pet will be allowed to enter Italy, and what preparations you should make.  Contact information for Italian embassies in the United States can be found here http://www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it


Airlines have different restrictions on shipping animals, especially during hot or cold weather.  There may also be restrictions on the length of time your pet can travel by air.  Both passenger and pet travel is booked by SATO.  SATO books pet spaces on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please keep in mind that pets are not an entitlement.  Each service member may transport a maximum of 2 pets.

Pets cannot be shipped as cargo in soft-sided or collapsible crates.  Pets can only be shipped in airline-approved, hard kennels with screw-bolt closure and breathing holes on all four sides.  Animals must have enough room in the carrier to stand up, turn around, and lie down freely.  Many airlines also require attached food and water dishes and padding. Check with the airline for specific requirements.  The US Transportation Security Administration’s pet guidelines can be read here http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel

Pets must enter the European Union through an approved port in Europe. Contact the Italian Embassy to ensure your itinerary is through an approved port.  Pets can also be shipped after you arrive in Italy, but it can be expensive and difficult to arrange after you have left the country.  This information is intended as a guide, and you should always check with your airline and other appropriate agencies for particulars.

Quarantines

Pets will not require quarantine upon arrival in Italy if all their shots and Health Certificates are current.  Be aware that if your inbound flight lands in the United Kingdom, your animal may be required to undergo quarantine.  It is advisable to avoid flights connecting through the UK.

Required forms - Vaccinations, Licensing and Registration

Dogs and cats will require micro-chipping and a health certificate from a military veterinarian or a USDA certified veterinarian prior to travel.  You must have the original health certificate (DD Form 2209) and an Italian health certificate (bi-lingual, including English and Italian) dated within 10 days of departure. If you are PCSing from another European Union country, you will require a pet passport and health certificate. Rabies vaccinations must be administered more than 20 days prior to entry but less than 12 months prior to entry. 


All pets must be registered within 10 days of arrival. By law, dogs and cats must be vaccinated for rabies annually. Rabies tags should be kept on the animal at all times. In the event that your pet is lost and turned in to the Veterinary Clinic, the clinic can locate you through the rabies tag number or microchip number. Dogs and cats are required to be micro-chipped.


Due to climate conditions, pets must be on heartworm preventative and flea and tick control at all times.

OUTBOUND TRAVEL - Departing Italy with pets

Before returning to the United States, all pets must have an export document or Pet Passport that is issued by the ULLS government building, and a health certificate, issued within 10 days of departure. If you are traveling in Europe only, a pet passport and a health certificate are required, not an export document. Contact the Vicenza Veterinary Clinic for additional information.


Airlines have different restrictions on shipping animals, especially during hot or cold weather.  There may also be restrictions on the length of time your pet can travel by air.  Both passenger and pet travel is booked by SATO.  SATO will book pet spaces on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please keep in mind that pets are not an entitlement.  Each service member may transport a maximum of 2 pets.

Pets may not be shipped as cargo in soft-sided or collapsible crates.  Only airline-approved, hard carriers with screw-bolt closure and holes on all four sides are allowed for pets in the cargo hold.  Animals must have enough room in the kennel to stand up, turn around, and lie down freely.  Many airlines also require attached food and water dishes and padding. Check with the airline for specific requirements.


Call the Camp Ederle veterinary clinic in advance of your move to find out how to obtain all the necessary documents, including health certificates and pet passports.  This information is intended as a guide, and you should always check with your airline and other appropriate agencies for particulars.

PETS IN ITALY

A small number of Families stationed at Caserma Ederle live in our housing area, Villaggio, and some junior, enlisted Soldiers live on post in barracks.  However, the majority of individuals and families coming to Camp Ederle will live off-post in government-leased or private rentals. Not all landlords allow pets, or have restrictions on the types or size of animals they will allow. 

There are far more apartments and townhomes available than stand-alone homes in the Vicenza area.   Yards are often shared, and may or may not be fenced, and quarters are typically smaller than what you could expect in the United States. These factors should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to bring pets to Italy.

Shelter for pets is required.  Pets may not be tied to a tree, fence, or water spigot and left unattended.  Cats must be kept indoors at all times.  Pets must be leashed during walks.

By law, dogs and cats must be vaccinated for rabies annually. Rabies tags should be kept on the animal at all times. In the event that your pet is lost and turned in to the Veterinary Clinic, the clinic can locate you through the rabies tag number or microchip number. Dogs and cats are required to be microchipped.

Certain dog breeds must be leashed and muzzled at all times when the pet is anywhere on a U.S. installation, except for the owner’s house or adequately fenced yard, according to USASETAF Command Policy Letter 20 (SEDVC), Control of Animals. This policy applies to all service members, DoD civilians, Family members and visitors on U.S.-occupied facilities within the SETAF area of responsibility. These breeds include:

  • Any pit bull-like breed
  • American bulldog
  • American pit bull terrier
  • American staffordshire terrier
  • Banter terrier
  • Banter bulldogge
  • Bull mastiff
  • Bull terrier
  • Charplanina shepard
  • Anatolian shepard
  • Central Asia shepard
  • Caucasian mountain dog
  • Doberman pinscher
  • Dog from Serra de Estreilla
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Brasiliero
  • German Shepard
  • Perro de canapo majoero
  • Perro da presa canario
  • Perro da presa Mallorquin
  • Pit bull
  • Pit bull mastiff
  • Pit bull terrier
  • Rafeiro do alentejo
  • Rottweiler
  • Tosa Inu

Any dog with a history of aggression

These rules do not apply to military or law enforcement working dogs or hearing- or seeing-impaired guide dogs. Owners and holders of all other dogs and animals not listed must control their animals at all times.

Problems with treatment of animals or aggressive animals should be reported immediately to the military police.

Veterinary Services

Veterinary Services are available to all active duty military personnel, family members, DoD civilians and retired personnel of the Vicenza Military community. Services include:

Vaccinations
Examinations
Health certificates
Surgeries such as cat/dog spay/neuter, dental cleaning
Tests such as Heartworm test, Stool Parasite Check and Feline Leukemia Test and vaccine
Prescription medications and prescription dog/cat food

Vicenza Veterinary Clinic provides limited emergency care.  You must call for appointment availability. There are no walk-in services available. The clinic urges you to identify a private facility in your neighborhood that provides 24-hour emergency services.  A list of facilities is available at the clinic. The clinic is located in Longare, a 15 to 20 minute drive from Caserma Ederle.
Due to climate conditions, pets must be on Heartworm preventative and flea and tick control at all times.

The Army Lodging hotel, the Ederle Inn, accepts a limited number of pets.  Some local hotels also accept pets. Local kennels can be found here  http://www.vicenzamwr.com/