My mom and I are traveling to Treviso from NY (via Amsterdam) in two weeks (a last minute trip to visit a sick friend) and this is my first time flying with an emotional support dog. When I lived in Italy 10 years ago, I had a small dog (not for emotional support) and she flew back and forth between Italy and the US with her EU pet passport and a note from the vet on each side. Since 10 years have passed since I traveled with a dog, I checked the government regulations and am a bit confused. I understand that I need to get a letter from my vet here in NY saying that she is fit to travel, has her vaccinations and is microchipped. (I also have a letter from my therapist to prove that she is an emotional support dog to comply with the airline regulation). The government website is saying that I also need an APHIS veterinary service endorsement. I’m not sure what that is and how to go about getting it. Also, since we will only be in Italy a week, will I still need to see an Italian vet in Treviso to get a letter to allow her to fly back to the US? If anyone has done this recently and/or can advise, I would so appreciate it. My fear is to get her over there and not have her be allowed into the country. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11833 posts
I used this company https://www.airanimal.com/moves-pet-international.cfm when we transferred to Rome in 2012. They did a great job guiding me. When we returned, we went to our Italian vet and still had to get a certificate from the Italian government to return. But we were there for years, so maybe with one week, you do not have to? Check with Air Animal. It costs but you can not afford to have a problem.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Kristin,
You have to check with your airline, the rules for international travel changed last year. Even if your dog is a support animal, he/she will be required to fly in a carrier on flights 8 hours or more.
Most of the American carriers require a service company like the one Laurel referenced.
My daughter just moved from Italy after a 15 year stay. She found that Lufthansa was one of a few that still let (you) do this. The charge for her 28# dog was €400.
Call your carrier.
Posted by
OP
New York
521 posts
Thanks for the replies. I talked with my airline already, I am flying KLM. They do allow emotional support pets with the proper documentation from my doctor. My concern is taking her into Italy from the US and vice versa.
Posted by
Monterey County, CA (formerly Verbania Italy-Lago Maggiore)
1648 posts
Hi, we brought our dog, Barley to Italy with us last July. We came by boat, but Barleys blog has some useful information, below is link to Part 1, then also read part 2. On the resources page of the blog, there are other links relating to traveling in Europe with a dog. Also here is the best link I found that clearly defines what you need to do regarding paperwork on the APHIS website.
Posted by
OP
New York
521 posts
Thanks so much, Karen. It’s strange, when I traveled with my dog 10 years ago back-and-forth to Italy probably eight times total, I never had an APHIS certificate. My dog then had an EU pet passport And all I needed was a letter from the vet in the US and a letter from the vet in Italy which then I had to take to another office to get validated. It seems more complicated this time.