"HOW-TO Guides" provided by Turnkey Relocation Services
MOVING WITH PETS
Special care and planning should be given to your furry and feathered family members before, during and after a move. This is, after all, relocation to a new home for them, too! Consider the following helpful hints to make the transition as stress-free as possible:
Special care and planning should be given to your furry and feathered family members before, during and after a move. This is, after all, relocation to a new home for them, too! Consider the following helpful hints to make the transition as stress-free as possible:
- Vet Visit – Take your pet for an exam before the move. Depending on the age and physical condition of your pet, the vet may suggest a tranquilizer for the trip. Many states require health certificates, so have all the inoculations up-to-date. If you plan to board your pet, or travel by air, you will need this paperwork. Most states require one for dogs, and some states require this for cats, birds, and certain exotics. Also, keep these documents with your other important papers as you travel. Ask your current vet for a recommendation of a new vet in your destination location. You can also contact The Humane Society and the American Animal Hospital Association at www.healthypet.com for further information.
- Pet ID – Now is the time to make sure your pet is wearing complete information tags! In addition to the health tags, make a temporary ID with your cell phone and the number of a friend or neighbor who would be reachable while you are traveling. It is a good idea to include your pet’s name, your name, and destination address – luggage tags with writing space on both sides work nicely for this. Birds can be banded with this information. Also, take a photo of your pet and keep it with you.
- Carriers and Crates – The comfort and safety of a carrier are crucial to assisting your pet with a low-stress move. The carrier should be large enough for you pet to stand, turn around and lie down. The bottom should be solid with an absorbent liner, and the sides should have sufficient cross-ventilation openings. The door should close securely, but do not lock it for safety reasons. (If you are flying, federal regulations require that your pet be accessible in the event of an emergency.) Birds will need a sturdy, comfortable carrier and, for their own safety, cannot travel in a birdcage. Familiarize them to the new carrier ahead of time by using it as a bed, and placing their favorite toys inside.
- Routines – Like people, your pets will feel a bit anxious when the changes begin. Try to keep their routines unchanged – feeding time, exercise, and playtime. Also, plan for their location during the appearance of strangers – home buyers, realtors, moving professionals. Perhaps a familiar crate to help them feel safe; staying with neighbors; or, boarding at a familiar kennel is in order. In addition, watch for cats hiding in moving boxes – these are big toys to them!
- State Laws and Regulations – Most states have regulatory rules for the entry of pets. Many municipalities enforce specific pet regulations. Contact the state veterinarian at the state capitol of your destination, as well as the city/county clerk to learn the laws, fees, restrictions and other policies.
- Driving with your Pet – Traveling with your pet family members can be a pleasant experience for all with some pre-planning! Make a pet “travel kit” that includes collapsible dishes, favorite toys, their regular food, treats, water and a clean up kit in case of motion sickness. If your pet is not used to riding, take several short trips around town to get them acclimated. If necessary, ask your vet for travel tranquilizers for the moving day. Do not feed or water your pet for several hours before leaving. Plan regular exercise, water and bathroom breaks, and remember that you will not be able to have leisurely stops with an animal in the car. To reduce stomach upset, bring water from home. Do not let your pet hang their head out the window! This is a recipe for eye injury, irritation and infection from flying rocks, dirt, and bugs. Lock power windows so no one accidentally rolls down a window – cats are particularly adept at this trick! When traveling with a bird, cover the cage during transit being careful to leave adequate ventilation. This will greatly reduce avian anxiety. Never leave a pet unattended in a car – not even for a short period! Make sure your hotels are pet friendly if you have overnight stops along the way. They should not be left in a car overnight. If you leave the room, place the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door.
- Flying with your Pet – Book your flight well in advance, because pet approval is on a first-come, first-served basis. Book a direct flight if possible, to reduce confinement time, plane changes, added stress and costs. (Sending your bird on an airplane is not recommended due to high stress levels for the animal.) First contact the airlines for their rules and regulations, charges, pet insurance, and container/carrier requirements. Some airlines allow pets in the cabin with you if they are “odorless, inoffensive, and contained in a USDA and IATA approved container small enough to fit under the seat.” Service dogs, properly harnessed, are allowed in the cabin at the owner’s feet. Otherwise, pets fly air freight. You will be responsible for the container, which will have size, strength and ventilation requirements. Let your pet get used to being in the container while at home. Clearly mark the container with “Fragile - Live Animal – This Side Up” and include your pet’s name, your name, phone number, address, and any special handling instructions. A health certificate will be required. Feed your pet no less than five hours before the flight, and give them a little water two hours before take-off.
- Welcome Home – Let your pet come out of the carrier on its own. Put your pet’s familiar items in locations relative to their position in the former home – food and water dishes in the laundry room, etc. Use their same food dishes, toys, blankets, bed to make them feel “at home.”
- Dog Hints – Immediately walk your dogs around the yard and the neighborhood to establish boundaries and familiarize them with their new larger surroundings. Maintain their previous feeding and exercising schedule.
- Cat Hints – Upon arrival limit the number of rooms in which the cat is allowed. Cats adjust better when not exposed to a new surrounding all at once. Let them get used to a room or two then let them explore as they desire. Surround your cat with familiar items to reduce the emotional stress. If you must let your cat outside, do not do this until they are completely comfortable inside the new home.
- Exotic Critters – These special animals will most likely require special permits. Contact your destination State Veterinarian’s Office or State Department of Agriculture for answers to all your procedural and health questions. Also, contact the local City Clerk’s office for ordinances and regulations. Your current vet can help you apply for these.
- Consider a pet transportation service to handle the relocation. They generally offer the following services:
- Door-to-door pickup and delivery
- Custom built crates
- Health certificates and permits
- Kennel arrangements
- Veterinarian recommendations
