Pet Relocation Blog

Name: Steven

Subject: Pet travel to Italy

Question: Dear Madam,

I am a Sergeant stationed with the 173rd in Vicenza, Italy. I have been trying for several months to get my pets over here from my parents to my wife and i here in Italy. We thought that we had it all set up for them before we left, but the vets around that area are not helping my mother. I need to know exactly what is needed for me to ship my pets over here. Any information you can provide would help. Also i need to know how I go about getting a USDA endorsed health certificate. I appreciate your time and hope to hear from you very soon.

Sincerely,



SGT Steven Lewis

U.S. Army

Answer: Hi Sgt. Lewis,

I'm sorry you are having difficulties. You don't mention where in the US your pets currently are, but I recommend working with a vet familiar in export procedures if possible. The vet needs to be "USDA accredited" as they are the ones who will issue the health certificate. Then it will need to be endorsed by the state USDA office.

Here is a checklist for the Italy pet import requirements.

Regarding getting the USDA endorsement, you will need to contact your USDA office directly. A listing of those offices can be found here.

Good luck!

This question comes to us from our partnership with PetTravelCenter.com!

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Q. I am looking to ship my 2 pets from Wisconsin in the US here to Italy. I am currently stationed here with the US Army. I am trying to get an idea of cost for shipping my male 1 yr old rottweiler and my male 2 yr old tabby cat here to Italy to join my wife and I. Any information you can provide would be great!! -- Thanks, Steve L.

A. Hi Steve,

First off, thank you for your service to our country. It is much appreciated. Regarding a pet relocation like this from Wisconsin to Italy, it is important to note the import requirements for entering Italy. You will need an EU Health Certificate issued by a vet, and endorsed by the USDA (the EU no longer recognizes military veterinarians for endorsement of the health certificate). Feel free to check out our Italy Pet Import Requirements.

Most of the people who contact us regarding a military move to Italy are located in Venice; however, there are no flights for pets going into Venice. We typically arrange for pets to be flown into Milan and then driven to the Venice area.

The pricing depends on the size of your pets' crates and also their weights, where they are located in Wisconsin, and where they would need to be delivered to in Italy. We do have a 10% military discount. If you're interested in getting a firm quote, feel free to contact PetRelocation directly.

We received this update from our friends at Military Working Dog Adoptions regarding MWD Dexter C067's successful relocation to the US last week:

Military Working Dog Adoptions is unbelievably delighted to announce that MWD Dexter C067 has returned to the USA as of 30 December 2008!!

We were moved beyond words to witness the reunion between MWD Dexter and his former handler, MA1 Kathleen Ellison in Naples, Italy. Dexter's "doggy smile" said volumes which no words could ever convey.

Dexter and Kathleen's reunion and trip to the USA has been chronicled on the MWD website.

Take some time to experience the gratitude of Handler and MWD in their real life situation. Military Working Dog Adoptions was able to pay for Dexter's ride home because of your kindness and generosity in donating to meet the needs of America ʼs retiring Military Working Dog heroes! We thank you from the depths of our hearts.

We recently relocated Xena, an English bull dog with a penchant for hot pink, from San Francisco to London, England. Many airlines won't accept bull dogs due to their delicate nature, but as long as care is taken to prepare bull dogs for shipping, they can travel safely. In order to get Xena to London, we had to first meet all of the requirements for the UK, and then import her into Amsterdam on one of KLM's pet safe flights. She spent the night at the Pet Hotel in Amsterdam and then traveled on to London, where her owners picked her up from the animal reception center. Now Xena lives at RAF Lakenheath with her family and attends burrito sales at the hangars! Her owner, Kathrine, sent our UK Expert, Scotty, an email along with the pictures:

She's doing great here and loves the cold! If I haven't already, thank you so much for everything- I've already recommended you and your company to many of our friends.

Apparently it snowed in London, which Xena loves -- she even goes snowboarding! Here's Xena in her backyard in the snow.

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Moving to London -- or anywhere else -- with your warrior princess or Top Gun grad? Contact us!

We have helped this organization in the past when they are transporting retiring military working dogs. If you are looking to adopt a smart, well-trained dog, military working dogs might be the answer for you! PetRelcoation.com offers a 10% discount on all military relocations -- this includes military dogs too!

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Military Working Dog Adoptions is proud to announce the transport of retiring MWDs
Milly F607 and Freddy B108 to their "Forever Homes"!!

At present, the military requires the adopting family to pay transport costs for their newly adopted MWD family member. This factor alone can make a retiring MWD adoption cost prohibitive...SO...Military Working Dog Adoptions began accepting donations to underwrite the cost of retiring MWD transport! Your generosity makes these transports possible. Please remember us when making your donations, so we never have to say "No" to transporting a MWD Hero!

HELP US HELP THEM...DONATE TODAY!