Starwood Pet Travel reports that demand for Italian pet logistics has accelerated by 79% between July and September compared to the same period last year. Rome currently leads as the primary destination, with Milan and Naples also seeing a significant uptick in requests. The company attributes this growth to the availability of nonstop flights on ITA Airways from hubs including New York, Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles, which simplify transit for large animals and multi-pet households.

Adam Melton, vice president of strategic initiatives at Starwood, notes that minimizing connections is critical for animal safety and reduces the risk of temperature-related issues or delays. Beyond logistics, the rise in relocations follows the 2024 launch of Italy’s digital nomad visa, which has made long-term residence more accessible for remote workers. While many owners fear complex quarantine protocols, pets arriving from the U.S. that meet standard EU requirements—specifically ISO-compliant microchipping and valid rabies documentation—can enter the country without quarantine. Proper sequencing of these veterinary steps remains the most common hurdle for families managing multiple animals.