Moving with pets presents a whole array of special requirements and challenges in addition to the need of packing, loading and transporting all of the household goods and family possessions to an entirely new location.
Pets require a great deal of consideration prior to a move;
they must be prepared sometimes for a few weeks leading up to
the actual day of the move or relocation. This is especially
true if an animal is going to have to travel a great distance
by car or air.
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Additionally, state and local regulations about pet licensing and vaccinations will apply, and it is a good idea to make sure that all house pets meet the legal requirements prior to the move. It is also a great idea to find a new vet and have all of the pet’s records transferred prior to moving as well.
The needs of the animal vary according to their species and their lifestyle, and a set of tips for relocating dogs, cats and fish are listed below.
Dogs:
Because dogs are more attached to their owners than their surroundings,
they don’t present the same issues as cats. In order to
adequately prepare a dog for a move or relocation it is a good
idea to:
• Reassure them verbally. As funny as it sounds most veterinarians
suggest speaking about the upcoming move in soothing tones to
the dog (or cat), especially when introducing them to carrying
containers or new leashes and leads.
• Bring along all of their old toys and accessories to
help them make the transition into the new environment. Giving
them something to do will also reduce the stress of a journey
or moving day, and favorite toys are the best distraction
• Relocate the dog(s) on moving day, or isolate them in
a safe and secure room. There are many sad stories of pets escaping
outdoors and getting lost or injured during a moving process.
• Get tags made for their collar and leash with the new
address and phone number attached in case of any mishaps or
“escapes” when settling into the new neighborhood.
• Acclimate them to road travel if a long car ride is
ahead, begin taking them on car trips or out when you run errands
in the weeks leading up to the move. This can help them to get
used to car travel, eliminating sickness and fear when they
are on the way to the new family home.
• Get a comprehensive veterinarian examination in the
weeks prior to the move, especially if the dog(s) will be traveling
by air to their new destination. Air travel requires the animal
to arrive at the airport approximately three hours prior to
departure, and then to make the journey, after which they may
have an additional lengthy car ride. This is a lot of stress
for even the most relaxed dog or cat, and should be taken into
serious consideration.
• Walk them often in the first few days of living in the
new neighborhood. This will allow them to understand their new
territory and reassure them about any new encounters such as
traffic crossings or new scents at the “doggie park”.
Cats:
Felines are very particular animals. They are notorious for
their aloof independence and their seeming lack of interest
in a great deal of the family life around them, but this is
mostly “bluff”. Cats are very connected to their
surroundings and the people that share their home, and relocation
can take a toll on a cat’s usual calm. When preparing
for a move or relocation it is a good idea to:
• Constantly reassure them. Usually as soon as boxes appear
and possessions begin to disappear into them, cats will begin
to get uneasy. Many people speak about new patterns of behavior
– mostly bad behaviors – in reaction to the beginning
stages of packing. For example, some cats begin to verbalize
in unusual ways, others may mark with urine and some may become
destructive to paper and cardboard in response to the “threat”.
It is best to consider such behaviors as a poor reaction to
stress rather than a sign of serious trouble. If such behaviors
continue long after the move it may need professional, veterinarian
assistance.
• Create a “safe haven” by keeping out all
of their usual “stuff”. If a cat has a certain cushion,
blanket or box it likes to sleep in, then it is best to leave
it exactly where it is. Additionally, don’t eliminate
any of the cat’s toys or other possessions, and pack them
only on the day of the move in order to maintain a normal environment
for the animal(s).
• Introduce them to their carrier very early. Around six
to eight weeks before the move introduce the cat(s) to their
carrier. Place a popular towel or blanket inside, and frequently
get them to enter the crate by throwing a toy or plaything for
them inside of it. This allows the carrier to become a comfortable
and familiar location in which a lengthy journey can be made.
• Let them “bunk” with their owner. Even if
it is strictly “taboo” to have the household pets
in bed with their owners, in the days prior to the move and
immediately afterwards a cat may need a great deal of reassurance
from its owner. Because cats are more connected to their “turf”
and not necessarily to the people within it, their owners may
seem like the only remaining area of familiarity and it would
do the cat(s) a great deal of good to bed down with their familiar
friends.
• Reassure them verbally each time they explore their
carrier or the moving boxes. Though the language is not comprehendible
to the cat(s), the soothing tones will be.
• While dogs can be taken for car trips prior to moving
day, cats might be a bit more difficult to pack up and drive
around. The best bet is to mildly sedate them if the journey
is going to be very complicated. A comprehensive checkup at
the veterinarian in the weeks before the move is critical to
cats traveling successfully either by air or land.
Fish:
Moving with fish requires a bit of preparation, and should be
planned a few days prior to the move in order allow adequate
time to make all of the necessary arrangements. The best way
to move fish is to consult with a local pet supplies store about
the appropriate transportation method for the variety fish owned.
For example, tropical fish may have needs a bit more specific
than most fresh water fish. Some pet supplies stores sell transportation
vessels for fish of all sizes, and many people construct their
own using a variety of methods and supplies. If a journey is
going to make it difficult to transport fish, it is best to
find a new home for them in the months prior to the move, in
this way an aquarium can be located during a time that is less
chaotic.
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