You may have noticed that dogs are allowed almost anywhere in Italy. From restaurants to bars to trains and buses, unlike in some other countries where dogs are left with a trusted pet-sitter when their humans go out, in Italy, dogs are nearly always invited along.
Getting a dog to Italy from abroad, however, can be a challenge if you’ve never done it before — especially if your dog exceeds a commercial airline’s weight requirements. But Maryanne Day, who offers professional care and travel services for dogs and cats in Florence, found a solution to that problem.
When Day moved to Florence from the United States in 2008, she noticed a lack of the professional pet care services for her own dog that she was used to using back home. She started Tuscan Hound Florence to fill that need for locals and travelers and today offers dog walking, daycare, boarding and even luxury stays at a Tuscan Hound Château. But beyond pet care in Italy, Day saw a bigger issue for people who couldn’t get their dogs to Italy with commercial airlines, and then, once on the ground, didn’t know the rules about traveling around Europe with their dogs. With Tuscan Hound Air, a luxury travel service for pets, Day has organized a concierge for dogs (and cats) to travel either with their humans or a veterinary technician in an airplane cabin, from the U.S. to Italy and even within Europe. Pets of all breeds and sizes are welcome.
From getting a dog to Italy to knowing what to expect after landing, we asked Day for a rundown of how to make traveling with a dog more seamless — whether for a vacation or a long-term stay in Italy.
How to take your dog to Italy in comfort
Commercial airlines such as United and Delta will allow small dogs and other warm-blooded pets to travel in the cabin with their humans as long as certain size limits are not exceeded and the pet can fit in a specific type of pet carrier. For large dogs, however, commercial airlines don’t offer any option except cargo — an unthinkable solution for many people who see their pets as part of the family. There are, however, private airlines catering to larger dogs, and concierge services that will accompany pets for the entire journey, as Day offers with Tuscan Hound Air. The company’s direct flights between the New York metro area and Milan will escort dogs from boarding to staying with them in the cabin to arrival. People can choose to fly along with their pets on one of Tuscan Hound Air’s flights, or choose their concierge option with an in-cabin travel service.
Plan ahead with an EU Pet Passport
The rules for quarantine and other documentation needed for a dog or other animal to cross international borders can vary, but one document that Day says many people might not know about is an EU Pet Passport. Within Europe, it’s easy to hop on a train to travel across country borders with your dog, but crossing between EU countries without identification requires an extra step that pet owners shouldn’t overlook. With a few exceptions, pets can travel freely among EU countries if they meet certain requirements, including having a Pet Passport. This mandatory document to travel with your pet among the EU countries can only be obtained in the EU (note that to get a Pet Passport you’ll need to first have a codice fiscale from the Italian tax office). Once it’s issued, though, it’s valid for the pet’s lifetime. The same document can also be used as proof that a dog has met the requirements to cross other international borders.
Know the rules for where you can take your dog in public
No matter where your adventures take you in Italy or throughout Europe, Day says a pro tip is to never leave home with your dog without a gentle leader. By Italian law, dogs must be muzzled on trains, buses and in some stores. However, Day recommends a gentle leader because it’s less restrictive for your dog than a standard muzzle, but still meets the requirement of a muzzle in Italy. It doesn’t need to be on your dog, but you’ll need to have it with you.
Find trusted pet-care services
A pet owner who stays in Italy long enough will inevitably need a trusted pet sitter and veterinarian. Since Italy doesn’t regulate the pet-sitting industry with licensing in the same way that some US states do, it’s important to practice due diligence when researching a pet sitter. A few keys to look for are that they have a registered Partita IVA (valid tax ID number), verified online reviews and a brick-and-mortar storefront. However, keep in mind that if something happens to your pet while they’re with a sitter, you’re unlikely to have legal recourse in Italy without going through the above service provider check.
One of the challenges to planning for extended time in Italy can be figuring out how to bring your dog with you too. But as with most challenges in Italy, if you have the resources and contacts, anything is possible.
Tuscan Hound Air is redefining pet travel by providing unparalleled comfort, safety, and luxury for pets of all sizes and breeds traveling in the cabin of the plane. Its dedicated team of animal travel professionals ensures that every journey is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible, prioritizing the well-being and happiness of pets above all else. If you have questions about traveling with your dog in Italy, need documentation assistance, or want to get started on booking a trip, visit Tuscan Hound Air https://tuscanhoundair.com/. If you need boarding or care services for your pet, contact its sister company https://tuscanhound.com/ for global pet care solutions.
