More and more people are choosing to travel with their pets . Whether it's a dog, a cat or a ferret , if the destination is beyond the Italian borders, a fundamental document is needed: the European pet passport .
Valid in all European Union countries , this pass allows you to travel without problems, provided that the animal is up to date with its mandatory vaccinations. The passport, as the name suggests, is an official document, issued by the Veterinary Services of the Local Health Authorities, which certifies the identity and health status of the animal. It is mandatory for traveling in European Union countries, but also recognized by some third countries.
To obtain it, the support of a trusted veterinarian is essential. The animal must be identified by a microchip (or tattoo, if applied before July 3, 2011 and perfectly legible). It must also be vaccinated against rabies , which is mandatory after identification: this is the main health requirement for the release of the document.
To obtain the green light from the veterinarian, the animal must be regularly registered in the regional registry of pets. The operation, also in this case, can be done under the guidance and advice of the specialist of reference. Once all the requirements have been verified, the passport is issued by the competent veterinary ASL for the territory. The passport is valid for life, but must be updated with each new anti-rabies vaccination.
And what if you want to travel outside the European Union? In that case, you need to take into account that the introduction of animals is established by the country itself. Depending on the destination, it is therefore advisable to contact the embassy or the authorities. In many cases, fortunately, a certificate of good health and proof of rabies vaccination done at least 30 days ago are sufficient. It is important to remember that in some countries, animals are required to be quarantined in a health facility or have special entry requirements.
(Unioneonline/vf)
