Moving to a new home is no easy task, especially if you have pets. In general, they aren’t too fond of routine changes. However, if you do your best to ease the transition, you’ll surely relieve some of the stress involved with it. Follow the tips provided Oz Moving, a Los Angeles Moving Company, to ensure your furry friend gets used to its new environment in no time.
It goes without saying that your new home and neighborhood need to be suitable for your pet. For instance, if you have an energetic puppy that needs to go outside often, a small and cramped apartment on the 8th floor of the building might not be the best idea. Similarly, a cat will need a lot of vertical space for exploring. All in all, you should consider every factor before making any plans or reservations.
1. Check the Local Laws
Every state/country has its own laws regarding the number and type of pets you can have, as well as their import from other countries. In addition, most countries require your pet to be vaccinated and microchipped. To avoid inconveniences and delays, get yourself familiar with these laws. Also, make sure you’ve gathered all the mandatory documents before taking off.
2. Transportation
You should also think about your pet when making transportation plans. Some transportation means aren’t pet-friendly, such as the bus and metro. Also, not every taxi driver will allow an animal inside their vehicle. Thus, you should give them a call and check their stance on pets beforehand.
In addition, if you’re traveling by plane, contact the airline company to see if there are any additional rules regarding pets you might have missed. For instance, they might require your pet to stay in the cargo area because of its size, which is problematic for pets with separation anxiety. If that’s the case, you should definitely consider another airline or even another form of transportation.
Your best bet might be to contact pet relocation services, such as PetRelocation and IPATA. Although they might be pricey, these services are well worth the investment, ensuring your pet gets the finest treatment possible.
3. Acquire a Pet Carrier
Whatever type of transportation you opt for in the end, you should purchase a carrier for your pet. Make sure its size is suitable for your pet — it should be neither too big nor too small. To figure out what size crate you should get, measure your pet’s length and height and add a few inches on both sides.
Your job’s not done there, though. Before moving day comes, you should get your pet used to being in the crate. You should make sure the pet associates it with things they like. That way, they’ll have something familiar to cling to and the change of environment might not be as abrupt as it would otherwise be.
Start by leaving the carrier out and allowing your pet to explore it. Then, try giving it food, water and treats when it enters the carrier. Finally, add their favorite blanket and toys for even more comfort. If your pet is anxious by nature, you might also want to cover the carrier during transport to make it less overwhelming for them.
4. Ask Your Vet for Advice
One of the most important steps you need to take before moving with a pet is visiting the vet, especially if your pet has chronic health problems. For one, the vet will determine if your pet is even eligible for travel. They’ll also ensure that your pet gets all the shots and has all the documents before the trip.
What’s more, the vet can help you figure out the safest way to transport your pet. They’ll give you some useful advice and relieve some of your concerns. They could also prescribe anti-anxiety medication for your pet to ease some of the stress during transit. After moving, find a new vet as soon as possible in order to update your pet’s microchip info, i.e. address and phone number.
5. When Moving Day Arrives…
When the time comes to start packing, you should keep your pets in a separate area, preferably somewhere quiet and far away from all the action. Even better, they could stay in a kennel for the day, or with your friend or relative. Also, try to maintain their routine as much as possible — feed and walk them as you typically would.
The same rules apply when you arrive at your destination and start unpacking. Even if your pet seems unbothered by the change, don’t let them out of the carrier right away. Keep them in a tranquil area for a while and let them adjust to the environment first.
After that, you can let them explore the room and eventually the whole house. However, make sure the windows and doors are closed to prevent them from running away and getting lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
Don’t be surprised if your pet acts weird during the next couple of days. For instance, cats have a tendency of “disappearing” for a while, hiding and sleeping in closets and other secluded areas of the house.
6. Moving with Fish and Birds, and Other Pets
As any kind of change could be stressful, even lethal for fish, traveling is definitely not recommended. Provided that the trip lasts less than an hour, you can transport the fish in bags or buckets filled with their tank water. You’ll also need to secure them in place to prevent falling over or rolling around in the vehicle, perhaps by placing them in a safe container.
Much like you would with a cat or any other animal, you should keep your pet bird away from all the commotion. Also, you’ll have to acquire an appropriate carrier to make sure it travels safely. While a cardboard box might be acceptable for short trips, such as to the vet, longer trips require special carriers designed to prevent injury. In addition, consider bringing some fresh fruit to comfort your pet bird during transit.
Bottom Line
Although moving is quite stressful for both you and your pet, it’s oftentimes unavoidable. After all, permanent separation from your furry companion is not an option. Thus, you might as well accept it, doing your best to make your pet feel comfortable and safe during the moving process.
