Moving With Your Pets

Moving is stressful for people, moving pets is even more difficult – imagine how you would feel it if you had no idea what was happening! For your family pets, the experience is a complete upheaval of their world, with no understanding of what is going on. Moving is particularly traumatic for your cat or dog if it spends its life indoors.  The experts at Jay's Moving and Storage Calgary offer some tips to help with moving your pets.

Happily, Jay’s Moving has some great ideas to help you ease the strain of moving with your pets. Jay’s has 45 years experience helping families and their pets move across Alberta and throughout North America.

Tips for moving your pets:

• Ensure your pet is wearing proper identification and all current license tags in case they are lost;
• Obtain a copy of your pets’ medical history from your veterinarian, and update all necessary vaccinations;
• As moving day draws nearer, your pets may become nervous because of all the unusual household activity. Watch them carefully, and consider the possibility of having them boarded during the most hectic days;
• Throughout the move, keep with the pet a health certificate provided by your veterinarian that confirms your pets’ good health and a rabies vaccination certificate;
• If your pet is anxious, your vet can supply a prescription for sedation during the move;
• If your move is international, request information about applicable laws on entry of animals and any quarantines that might apply;
• After the move, keep your pets indoors and closely supervised (and leashed) when it’s necessary to take them outside until they have adjusted to their new neighborhood;
• Remember to update the contact information if you pet has a microchip implant, and
• Ask for a recommendation for a new veterinarian in the community to which you are moving.

Shipping Pets by Air

• Make arrangements well in advance if your move entails air travel, and be sure to check with the airline about regulations regarding inoculations, health certificates, approved pet carriers, ID and special coverage for your pet. Choose a direct flight if possible, so your pet isn’t exposed to repeated changes in air pressure and temperature.

Moving pets by car

• Travelling by car is usually the best way of moving your pets to their new home. Because you can keep your animal with you it provides a feeling of security, for you and your pet, and it is less expensive.
• Some pets enjoy car rides, but if your pet isn't familiar with car travel, take it on some short rides before the move so it can get used to the sensation of movement. If the animal is still nervous, or gets carsick, ask your veterinarian about medication for motion sickness, or a sedative. Be sure to check ahead of time which motels accept pets if you need a place to spend the night along the way. Keep your pet inside a kennel or carrier during travel, it’s much safer than allowing them to move about the vehicle, and always use a leash, kennel or carrier when transferring your pets from car to motel.
• On the road, plan to stop often to give your pets opportunity to have a drink and exercise (remember the plastic bags!), and don’t leave them alone in the vehicle. Bring rags or paper towels in case of a mess and provide a favorite toy to distract them. If it’s necessary to leave your pet alone in the motel room, shut them in their carrier and put the “Do not Disturb” sign on the door. Limit your time away from the room.
• If you're moving with a bird, rodent or reptile cover the cage in which they are being transported to help calm them. To avoid messy spills remove the water and food dishes. Feed and water your pet at stops along the way.

Settling in

• When you reach your new home, immediately designate a safe room for your pets away from the hubbub of moving. Give them water and food, and comfort them if they are anxious. It will take time for your pets to adjust, so until then keep them leashed when you take them outside, unless they are in a securely fenced yard.

A little knowledge can make moving your pets easier and help your cat, dog or other critters adjust to their new home more quickly.Ask Jay’s Moving and Storage Calgary for advice on any aspect of your move at 1(866) 760-1588 – our qualified consultants are pleased to help!