Shipping Pets

Traveling With Pets

Traveling with pets requires a lot of preplanning and may be very expensive. Communicate your needs to your sponsor, and remember, everyone's experiences are different.

We all love our pets like family, but remember that bringing pets to Italy is a privilege, not an entitlement. All costs associated with pet travel are at your expense.

As of January 1, 2024, military Service members going through a PCS within the continental United States can be reimbursed up to $550 for one household pet, either cat or dog, and up to $2,000 for moves to or from a location outside the continental United States to cover costs related to the transportation of a pet.

Pet travel documentation when traveling from another EU country

• Pet passport and current rabies vaccine.

Pet travel documentation when flying from United States

• 15-code microchip: Required for dogs and cats.
• A current rabies vaccine. *If the animal is overdue or if it is their very first rabies vaccine, the vaccine must be administered 31 days prior to travel.
• Health certificate from a military or United States Department of Agriculture-certified veterinarian; must be dated within 10 days of arrival in Italy and in blue ink.
• USDA Certification is required if the health certificate is issued by a civilian veterinarian.
• Original copies only. Airlines will not accept copies that are in black and white.
• Have multiple copies of the original paperwork.

Visit the https://www.travel.dod.mil/About/News/Health-and-Safety/website for the most up to date health requirements.

Tip: A complete Leptospirosis vaccination series is recommended for pets upon arrival in Italy. You can also vaccinate your pet prior to arrival! Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonosis that is endemic to northern Italy which is found in resting pools of water.

Pet travel and restrictions

Breeds: Check with the airlines for guidance related to any restrictions they may have.

Kennel (checked or cargo): Pets need airline-approved, hard cages with screw-bolt closures, breathing holes on all sides, room to stand up, turn around and lie down, water and food dishes. Visit International Air Transport Association for pet size and kennel requirements. Certain breeds/sizes require custom crates. Ensure connecting flights can handle the pet crate size.

Temperature: Airlines will not allow pets to travel as checked bag or cargo if it’s too hot/cold on flight day at the location of departure as well as at the location of arrival. Have a plan B in case the airline does not allow your pet on the aircraft.

Airports and layovers: For layovers in other countries, know each country’s pet regulations before booking flights:

• Avoid layovers in UK as they quarantine pets.
• Large pets might not be able to fly to Venice (VCE, Marco Polo Airport).
• Pets will not be able to layover/transfer in Munich, Germany. If flying through Germany, pets will need to fly through Frankfurt.
• Ask the Commercial travel office about flying into Verona, Italy or Milano Malpensa, Italy.

Animal shippers: Based on breed/size, you may have to ship your pet separately (~$2000+). See International Pet and Animal Transportation Association shippers.

Commercial travel office

• Preplan: The CTO does not book pet flights, but they can book you on a pet-friendly flight with a contracted airline or another U.S. flag carrier. Research dates and U.S. flag carriers that can fly your pet:
• Use the https://www.gsa.gov/ to find the airline contracted to fly you to Venice (VCE). Stop by the CTO to learn other possible U.S. flag carrier options.
• Research airline pet policies/military exceptions.
• Call the airline. Tell them you are on military orders and you want to check a pet. Write down flights and dates with available pet space.
• Visit CTO: Book flights with CTO after confirming the airline (and partner airlines) can fly your pet overseas. Bring pet-friendly flight options to CTO with pet breed, sex, age, cage dimensions and combined weight of pet with the cage.

Commercial airline doesn’t have pet space? Ask CTO if other U.S. flag carriers have pet space

After your CTO visit:

• Confirm pet fight: Call and reconfirm your pet’s reservation in the weeks/days before departure. Pet reservations can get lost easily.
• Flight day: Arrive extra early to pay and check-in pets. Have all required documents in hand. One copy will be kept in your possession and the other one will be with the kennel.
  NOTE: Have a plan B (change flight or friend on standby) in case of a temperature embargo on flight day.
• Transportation from airport in Italy to post: Prearrange pet transport. If you arrive at an airport other than Venice or if you arrive in VCE and your pet weighs over 3 kilograms (approximately 6.6 pounds) or its cage does not fit on/between bus seats, pre-arrange pet transport.

Additional pet travel websites

• Pet travel FAQs: State Department
• Pet travel FAQs: U.S. Embassy in Italy

Pet registration

• Registration of privately owned animals by military DOD members stationed at Aviano must be completed within 14 days of arrival.
• To register your pet, contact the Aviano Veterinary Clinic. usaf.aviano.31-mdg.mbx.vet-clinic@health.mil The registration form can be found on the 31^st FSS website.

The Aviano Veterinary Clinic VTF

Building 1410 Flightline Area F. DSN 632-8485; Off Base +39 0434-30-8485

Pet Passport

Travel within the EU will require a pet passport. Please click on https://31fss.com/traveling-with-pets/ to download instructions provided by your Aviano Veterinary Clinic. Contact them before scheduling an appointment to request the needed paperwork for a pet passport appointment.

Italian Dog Laws

Newcomers: Owning a Dog in Italy

*The Aviano community is no longer able to utilize shelters as an option when needing to rehome a pet. Rehoming to a new family is a requirement to PCS, as well as transfer of ownership documentation. Abandonment is not tolerated.

Emergency Care

The Aviano Veterinary Treatment Facility is not an emergency clinic and doesn’t provide after-hours care.

Lodging and Kennels

Pets are accepted at the Mountain View Lodge, on-base temporary lodging facility, but you must request a pet room when you make your reservation. If space is available you must stay on base. You will not be issued a statement of non-availability because you have a pet and chose to stay off-base.

There are a number of boarding facilities for your pet in the local area. Communicate your boarding needs with your sponsor.