Though international pet travel can seem mysterious (and frankly a little scary) at first, this part of your move can be completed safely and smoothly by taking advantage of the resources available online and by following the advice of pet travel experts.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Research Import Rules -- When preparing to move internationally with a pet, start by researching the pet import requirements for the country to which you’re moving. Every country is a little different, but most likely your pet will need an up to date rabies vaccine, a microchip and a health certificate at the very least. Once you’ve found the official rules (the USDA, Ministry of Agriculture, or a pet travel professional are good sources to check with), you’ll be able to build a timeline for your pet’s move and align their needs with your own travel logistics.
Crate Train Your Pet -- Second, it’s very important to start crate training your pet if they’re not already used to spending time in a kennel. Pets who see the crate as a safe and normal place to be will experience much less anxiety during their flight, and devoting time to training in the weeks before the move is one of the kindest and smartest things you can do as a world traveling pet owner.
Choose a Pet Safe Airline -- Another important detail is your pet’s flight. Some airlines are more pet friendly than others, so it’s worth it to do a little research and choose a carrier with established pet policies in place. International pet travel will most likely mean that your pet will fly via cargo (and not necessarily on the same flight as you), but when handled by a pet safe airline this is a safe process. The cargo area is pressure and temperature controlled and pets are overseen by trained staff (not just baggage handlers).
Above all, don’t hesitate to ask for help if needed. Advice from your fellow expats and guidance from pet travel professionals can make all the difference when it comes to arranging a safe move for your most precious cargo.
Good luck, pet travelers!
(Example of a fanciful pet crate made from a barrel, not airline approved, pictured.)
We have a large community of retirees and one of the reasons why people are comfortable living here in San Miguel de Allende is because we have good healthcare. There is a good hospital in San Miguel but there are also great hospitals that are not far from here. Even if you have a critical condition you can easily be transferred to Queretaro, which is one of the biggest cities in Mexico, or to Mexico City. The doctors from San Miguel will take care of the whole transfer process for...
I see no American-style racism in Panama. I have yet to experience that at all. I have experienced occasions where because I speak a limited amount of Spanish, people will sometimes appear to become frustrated because I can’t communicate with them correctly in their language, although I try very hard to speak Spanish. 
We have the excellent vets here in Belize, and they take their time with your pets. 
It is not mandatory to hire an attorney to buy a house in Portugal. However, and especially if you are a foreigner, it is strongly advisable to hire a lawyer to represent you and make sure that you signed the right contract, that you are buying the right property, and that the property does not have any liens, encumbrances or charges registered on it.
One of the great advantages of traveling, or better yet, living in a different country, is to see how others live their lives. If we are open to it, we can gain perspective and insight, not only into the human condition in general, but more pointedly, into our own condition. 
