Expat's Manual

Pets are often an integral part of any family and the thought of leaving them behind when you move to a new country can be simply unbearable. However, out of love for your pet you should take time to truly consider if the move abroad will be right for them. There are a number of factors you should consider-

1. The age of your pet. If your pet is very old it may not be a wise decision to put them through the stress of being transported to a new country, especially if this involves a long haul flight or several transfers.
2. The health of your pet. You should always check with you vet that your pet will be fit to travel. Some species of dogs, especially those with a pug-nose, often are unable to fly safely because they experience difficulties breathing. You will be expected to produce a health certificate for your animal, which was issued and approved by a qualified vet 7 to 10 days prior to departure.
3. The appropriateness of sedating your pet. Whilst many people consider sedating the ir pet in order to calm them and try and make the journey as stress free as possible, the majority of veterinarians will actually advise against doing this. The effects of tranquilizers on your pet may be unknown and you should always check with a vet before you take such measures.
4. The living conditions of your expat destination. Whilst your home country may be suitable for you pet, the one that you intend to relocate to may not. Before arranging to ship your animal you should fully research the living conditions, climate and acceptability of having a pet. You need to try to objectively make a decision as to whether the new location will be comfortable and safe for your pet and, as much as you may find it difficult, it can sometimes be better to leave them behind as opposed to negatively impacting their standard of life.  For details about what it is like to own an animal in your chosen destination please see our expat city guides.  They contain everything you need to know about the attitudes towards pets in expatriate destinations throughout the world and give you valuable insights into the types of conditions you can expect and how they may impact your animal.