Lake Como, Italy has all the ingredients to make for the perfect holiday.

Health insurance for pets is available from a number of insurance companies (vets’ fees are high in Italy).  It is therefore advisable to have third-party insurance in case your pet bites someone or causes an accident.

In areas where there are poisonous snakes, some owners keep anti-venom in their refrigerator (which must be changed annually).

The Ente Nazionale per la Protezione degli Animali (www.enpa.it) is the main organisation for animal welfare in Italy and it operates shelters for stray and abused animals, and inexpensive pet hospitals in many cities.

The following regulations apply in Italy;

• All dogs should be kept on a lead on the street or in open air public spaces.
• All dangerous dogs should have a muzzle and be kept on a lead for walking on the street or in open air public spaces.
• Owners should always clean up their dogs' faeces otherwise you can be fined (approx €30).