The passport in Italy is issued by the veterinary services of the local health company upon request of the owner. The release for dogs is subject to prior registration in the canine registry. For movements within EU countries of dogs, cats and ferrets accompanied by the owner or by a person who assumes responsibility on behalf of the owner, the Regulation ( EU) 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 provides for the need for the identification of animals:
- through a tattoo, if affixed before July 3, 2011
- through an electronic identification system (microchip or transponder)
- with the possession of a specific individual PASSPORT – pet identification document (Annex III, part 1, of the Commission Regulation (EU) 577/2013 of 28 June 2013).
The microchip or tattoo number must be reported on the pet’s passport. Furthermore, in application of Article 44 of Regulation (EU) 576\2013 “Transitional measures relating to identification documents”, the passport defined by Decision 2003/803/EC, duly completed, is to be considered compliant with the new Regulation if issued by veterinarian authorized before December 29, 2014.
The passport, of standard typographical form, written in at least one of the official languages of the issuing Member State and in English, replaces all other certifications for travel within EU countries.
Must contain:
- personal data
- list of all vaccinations carried out by the animal
- medical visits
- any treatments against Echinococcus multilocularis (only for certain destinations).
Rabies vaccination is mandatory and must be carried out in accordance with Annex III of Regulation (EU) 576/2013. However, each member country, pursuant to Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 576/2013, may authorize the introduction into its territory of puppies from other member countries that are less than 12 weeks old and not vaccinated for rabies or which, although vaccinated and aged between 12 and 16 weeks, they do not yet satisfy the conditions for validity of the vaccination.
On the website of the European Commission on the page Movement of Pets (Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) – Young Animals you can consult the positions of the member countries regarding whether or not to grant the exemption provided for the introduction of such puppies into their territories, accompanying the owner or of the person authorized by the owner and without commercial purposes.
In this case, the animals, if not accompanied by the mother on whom they are still dependent, can be introduced into the country that grants this exemption only if accompanied by the declaration of the owner or authorized person (Annex I, part 1, of EU Regulation 577/2013 ); furthermore, the certificate must include the details of the microchip and the passport number. The passport must therefore be issued to owners of dogs, cats and ferrets who request it, even in the absence of anti-rabies vaccination.
Treatments for Echinococcus multilocularis are governed by the EU Delegated Regulation 2018/772 of the Commission of 21 November 2017.
Finally, in some European countries, the entry of specimens of dog breeds considered dangerous is prohibited.