Parliamentary debates about such a pet list date back to the 1980s, with continuous disagreements about which species should be included and how the law should be enforced. The keeping of animals as pets can cause concerns with regard to animal rights and welfare. According to a survey promoted by Italian family associations in 2009, it is estimated that there are approximately 45 million pets in Italy. This includes 7 million dogs, 7.5 million cats, 16 million fish, 12 million birds, and 10 million snakes.

• The travel policies of U.S. airlines with regard to shipping animals are subject to change