Registration and passport

Promoting animal welfare is a big part of making sure people and animals can coexist and for protecting public health.
Currently, the rules for pets are based on Framework Law No. 281 of 14 August 1991, which brought in compulsory protection requirements and documents to show who owns a pet and what its health problems are.

Pet registration

Puglia has set up a regional pet registry (download Regional Law No. 2 of 7 February 2020 from the link in the attachment). The aim is to combat abandonment, find lost pets and prevent the spread and overpopulation of stray animals. The pet registry database has info and records of all registered dogs and cats, and it also issues certificates to prove the animal's identity and ownership legally.


So, to register your pet, the vet will need to put in an electronic microchip, which is a way of identifying your pet permanently and finding it if it goes missing. This can be done at the vet's or by a vet who is licensed by the local health authority.

If you own a dog or cat, get in touch with your local ASL vet service in writing to let them know about any changes, like a new address or if the pet has changed owner or died. If you lose your pet, or it strays or is stolen, and then found, you must report the incident to the ASL veterinary services and the local police.

Pet passport

If you want to travel with your pet in the European Union, you need to apply for a European pet passport. This is to make sure that your pet can travel safely and that all the health rules are followed. You can find all the details in the Regulation (EU) No. 576/2013, which regulates the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets.
The pet passport has a standard format for all EU countries and contains the details of owner and animal, the microchip number and details of all vaccinations and treatments.


In Puglia, you can apply for a pet passport from the vet services at your local health authority, which will then check for compliance of registration (identity) and vaccination requirements. The passport does not have an expiry date, but its validity for travel depends on compliance with mandatory rabies vaccination. The passport doesn't have an expiry date, but you'll need to make sure you're up to date with your rabies vaccinations if you want to travel.
If you're heading to a country outside the European Union, you might need some extra paperwork, tests or treatments for parasites. Make sure you check what you need to get from here to your destination country before you leave. If you need any more info, just check out the dedicated page on the website of the Ministry of Health.

If you're heading to a country outside the European Union, you might need some extra paperwork, tests or treatments for parasites. Make sure you check what you need to get from here to your destination country before you leave. If you need any more info, just check out the dedicated page on the website of the Ministry of Health.
Documents