Ep 30: Mary Ann’s Global Pet Moves

What does it actually look like to move pets internationally while living and teaching abroad?In this episode, we continue our conversation about relocating pets internationally by speaking with Mary Ann VanDeWeerd, an international educator and IB PYP Coordinator from New Zealand who has worked across the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Mary Ann has lived and worked in Turkey, Indonesia, Sudan, Switzerland, New Zealand, Thailand, and Oman, and along the way, animals have been an important part of her international life.Mary Ann shares what she learned from moving a cat from Sudan to Switzerland, navigating pet relocation into New Zealand, and bringing her dog Petal from Thailand to Oman. Her stories make the process feel real, from import permits and rabies tests to airline booking timelines, crate sizing, travel stress, pet relocation agents, and the emotional decision-making involved when animals are part of your family.This episode is especially helpful for international teachers, school leaders, and expat families who are moving abroad as a teacher, teaching overseas with family, or trying to understand what to include in a realistic teacher relocation checklist.Inside the episode:Why you cannot simply show up at the airport with a petThe difference between cabin travel, excess baggage, and cargoWhy import and export permits can create stressful timelinesHow one small paperwork detail can delay a pet’s move by monthsWhy six months of planning is a realistic starting pointWhat pet passports, rabies tests, microchips, and vaccination records involveWhen using a pet relocation service may be worth the costHow crate training, calming products, and preparation can help reduce stressWhy researching housing, weather, pet care, and animal-friendly living matters before accepting a moveFor anyone comparing international school contracts, navigating job changes abroad, or preparing for life in a new country with pets, Mary Ann’s story offers the kind of lived insight that makes international life feel more possible and more manageable.Links & Resources📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.💓 Don’t forget to like & subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at: https://connectedglobal.org