Italy is one of the pet-friendly countries that allow the travelers. The pets are allowed in places like public places, restaurants, shops, and transport. Customs authorities are much friendlier to four-legged furry friends. But traveling to the pet-friendly country also without planning will get complicated. There are some rules that can apply for the pet travel. If you are planning to bring pets to Italy, it’s essential to make sure that the pets are vaccinated and microchipped before vaccination. Here is simple information about how the pets should be vaccinated and microchipped and should follow some airline rules.

If the pet travels to Italy, the first step is microchipping.

Before moving to Italy, your pets should be microchipped with an ISO-compliant fifteen-digit microchip. The microchip acts as the long-lasting identification for the pets, and it’s required to enter Italy. Always ensure that pets are microchipped before vaccination. This guidance can be given by pet relocation services like HappyLocate. If the friendly companion is microchipped with non-ISO complaints, then the pets should be re-microchipped, or the pet owner should carry the portable microchip scanner. Keep the microchip number with the carrying documents, and it should be recorded in all documents and should be matched.

The vaccination records that are required for pets traveling to Italy.

Italy mandates that the pets should be vaccinated before entering. Here are the key points to remember about pet vaccination.

The rabies vaccine should be administered after microchipping. If the vaccine is given before microchipping, then it’s invalid and should be re-administered. The vaccination must be given at least twenty-one days before travel. But not more than the vaccine validity period that is mentioned; the vaccine is valid for one to three years depending on type. Pet owners should keep the record of the vaccination in the EU pet passport or the non-EU health certificate. Puppies and kittens under twelve weeks old are not allowed to travel because they cannot be vaccinated.

Rabies titer test for pet travel

If the pets are traveling from a high-risk country like one not listed in the rabies-controlled union, your furry friend must undergo a rabies titer test.

The test must be conducted thirty days after the rabies vaccine and three months before the travel. This test must only be performed by an EU-approved laboratory. And it should be documented in an EU health certificate.

Pets traveling from the USA and Canada, etc., and other rabies-controlled countries do not require rabies titer testing. But make sure to check all the regulations. frequently before traveling.

EU Pet Passport and Health Certificate

If the pet is from an EU country, then the owner must carry the pet passport. Which includes microchip details, a rabies vaccination record, and owner information with a phone number and address.

The pet is traveling from a non-EU country, and a veterinary health certificate, also called an EU Annex IV form, is required. This document should be given by a credited veterinarian. And sanctioned by official authorities of the exporting country within ten days of travel.

Choosing the pet-friendly airlines for pet travel

After completion of all documents, choosing the pet-friendly airlines is important to ensure a stress-free journey for your pet travel. Selecting the proper airline is an essential part of the relocation; each airline has a different policy.

Cabin: Small pets under eight kg can be carried in the cabin under the seat. In the approved carrier, pets can stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.

Cargo: While larger pets can travel in cargo. If the weight varies by airline but generally ranges from thirty-two to seventy-five kg.

Carriers: The airlines approve the carrier where pets can stand easily and turn around and lie down, with adequate ventilation.

Slots: Most of the airlines have limited slots for the pets to travel in cargo; book a pet spot well in advance.

Temperature restriction: Some airlines restrict pets during extreme heat or cold.

Here are some pet-friendly airlines: Lufthansa, KLM, ITA Airways, and Air France for pet travel