The Pet Passport is required in order to travel with your pet around Europe as well as to return to the U.S. with your pet.  The Pet Passport contains your pet's information (including microchip number) and a record of your pet's vaccinations.  You can also include a picture of your pet.

In order to obtain the Pet Passport you must first register your pet with the Vicenza Veterinary Treatment Facility.  Your pet's vaccinations (most importantly the rabies vaccination) must be current.  You will be provided with forms that have your pet's information and yours.  One of these forms is the export document (Pet Passport form).  You will also need a copy of your pet's rabies vaccination certificate.

The fee for the pet passport is approximately €12,50, plus a small service fee.  This needs to be paid at a local post office (not the one on post).  There is one located near Caserma Ederle, as well as downtown.  The vet clinic will provide you the receipt for payment, pre-completed.  Once you've paid the fee you will need to go to the ULSS office across from Hotel Mary.  This office is where you will obtain your Pet Passport.  Your pet does not need to accompany you.  After obtaining the Pet Passport you will need to return to the vet clinic to have the passport filled out, stamped and signed by the veterinarian.

The address for the ULSS office is:
Viale Camisano, 61
They are open M-F from 0830-1200, and M 1430-1630.  You must be no later than 15 minutes prior to closing.
 
IMPORTANT:

If you are adopting a pet in Italy you must find out if they are already registered with the vet clinic and have a Pet Passport.  If they are not registered and do not have a Pet Passport, you will want to do this as soon as possible.  If they are, however, you will need a signed and notarized document stating that the current owner is relinquishing the pet to you.  If you have questions on how to do this, please feel free to contact the Vicenza Veterinary Treatment Facility.  You can find their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/VicenzaVeterinaryClinic.

It is very common for pets to get loose right after arriving or moving into your new home. If your pet is registered you can be contacted when they are found.

Arriving in Italy
Transportation to Base

Once you arrive at the airport in Italy with your pet, you will be faced with getting your pet to Caserma Ederle.  The base provides a free shuttle bus that runs regularly throughout the day, but unfortunately larger animals will not be able to ride on it.

The shuttle is contracted through and Italian company and their rules are that pets cannot go underneath the bus in the cargo area (for good reasons – exhaust fumes, anyone?).  The rules also state that pets cannot go inside the bus unless they can be inside their crate and fit on or underneath the seats.  Unless you have a cat or a cat-sized dog, it is unlikely that your pet will be able to ride.

If you know you will need help transporting your pet, please contact us well in advance.  The more time we have to plan, the more likely we will be able to help you get your pet to Vicenza.  We’ve written it over and over, but here it is again – we are volunteers!  We want to help you, but we can’t jump to anyone’s aid without notice.

Arriving at Caserma Ederle
Registering Your Pet

Phew, you got your pet to Vicenza!  But you’re not quite done yet.  You’re still required to register your pet with the military veterinarian within 10 days of arrival.  The Vicenza veterinary treatment facility is on a small satellite base on the opposite side of town, so you’re probably going to need a ride.  We can help!  Luckily, you don’t need to bring your pets to register them, only their documents (including proof of current vaccinations).

Since it’s much easier for us to transport one person than a combination of people and crates and pets, we don’t need as much warning to help out with this kind of thing.  Let us know if you need help we can coordinate a ride for you.

Another part of registering your pets is getting them their Pet Passports.  Your pets will need these to cross borders out of Italy, including going back to the U.S.!  While it is not necessary to get it immediately, do NOT wait until you’re going back to the States.  They do not expire and out-processing can be a very hectic time, so you won’t want to have to do it at the last minute.  Please see our blog entry about the Pet Passport, where you can find instructions for getting one.