Moving can take a stressful toll on any member of your family, but at highest risk is your family pet. And this goes for any family pet – even fish get stressed out with a change in environment. If you’re going to be transporting your pet to a new home, take the necessary precautions to make it easy on them. Not only will the transition be less stressful for your pet, it’ll be less stressful for you as well.
How to arrange safe transport for your pets
When planning a move that includes a pet, start by answering some key questions:
Decide on your method of transport
Will the animal be traveling with you? Will you be using an air courier service? Do you plan to leave the pet with a friend until you get settled in your new home? Once you choose a transportation option, make the necessary arrangements at least a month before your move.
Visit the vet
Before you take any trip with your pet you should stop in to see your veterinarian. Let him or her know where you’ll be moving to and what mode of transportation your pet will be taken. Ask whether there’s anything you should be concerned about – a particularly important factor to consider if your pet is very old or very young.
If you’re moving very far, you might also ask for a recommended vet in your new town. You should also ask about the animal hospitals in your destination city and see if your veterinarian has any comments on them.
Check state regulations
Not all states have the same rules and requirements regarding pets. If you’re moving to a new state, look into the animal requirements you’ll soon be facing. The same is true for different countries, of course.
Get copies of shot records
If you don’t already have them, ask your vet’s office to provide you with records of your animal’s care up till now. Be sure to get documentation that all required shots (and rabies shots in particular) are up to date. This is particularly important if you’re going to be traveling with a dog or cat.
Provide secure identification
Even the best laid plans can go astray when moving, and should the worst happen you’ll want to be sure that your pet has proper identification.
Microchipping is the most reliable way to keep most pets safe because the identification information cannot be misplaced. Along with microchipping your pet, be sure to provide him or her with a collar and both identification and rabies tags. If your pet will be traveling in a crate or carrier, affix a luggage tag identifier to the carrier.
One important warning: if your pet already has identification tags, chances are the phone number listed is the number from your old home address. Unless you’re able to transfer your phone number to your new address, take the time to get new identification tags with either your cell phone number listed or the number of your new home.
If you don’t have either yet (and especially if both are changing), use the number of a trusted friend or family member.
Offer your pet some security
If you plan to ship your pet separately from you, provide him with a favorite toy or other item to remind him of home. Better yet, put things that smell like you in his crate – a blanket that you’ve slept on works well, as do pajamas that you’ve worn. Having your scent accessible during transport may help your pet stay calm during the journey.
No journey is to short
Even if you’re simply moving a few blocks away from your old home, the move could constitute a whole change in worlds for your pet. Any new home, regardless of proximity to your old home, means a new environment with new smells, new hazards, and new temptations. It’s vitally important to the health of your pet that you consider all the challenges that come with a move and plan appropriately.
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