Relocating with Pets

Moving with pets can be easy as long as you consider the pets' needs. People can easily understand all the ado associated with relocating, but the hustle and bustle can easily confuse pets. They become stressed and insecure. They may see strangers coming and going much more than usual, see their possessions packed away, and this can frighten them, causing the pets to feel as if they may be abandoned.

If part of your relocation involves selling your current house, you will have real estate agents and potential buyers coming to view the house for sale. These visitors may love pets or may not. In fact, they might be allergic to your pet! It is a good idea to place your pet safely away in an area that will not interfere with your discussions with visitors. Small pets can be placed inside their carriers or cages while large dogs might be more comfortable placed in a fenced back yard. Exotic pets such as snakes can be covered so visitors who have phobias do not see the creature.

With the advent of state-of-the-art online moving assistant applications, a pet owner can more easily locate a residence in their new locale. When using a move planner application, list for your realtor or leasing agent the family pets and their needs. For example, if you let the realtor know you have two large dogs, they can easily understand why you ask for a home with a large fenced-in yard; if you have parrots, a screened in back porch might be to your liking!

When traveling with pets during the relocation process, you will need health certificates and proof of vaccination in most cases. When flying to your new home, you will be asked by the airlines for these certificates. Be sure to have the proper paperwork on hand and easily accessible. Even when traveling by car, you could be challenged to prove your pet is healthy.

Moving your pet may present some unique problems if you fail to verify whether you are permitted by law to own that type of pet in your new city or town. For example, certain species of parrots, including the Quaker parrot, also known as the monk parakeet, can be confiscated if you even have possession of the bird in your car while passing through some of the United States! You can easily learn about laws in the state or province to which you are moving by searching the internet or calling government offices in that location.

If you and the family, including your pet, are flying to your new home, you'll need to contact the airline for information regarding carriers and requirements. You will certainly be required to provide proof of health and vaccination (if applicable) before the pet can be placed on an airplane, even if traveling in the cargo hold. Large animals must be placed inside a carrier that meets specific airline requirements. Small pets such as toy dog breeds, small parrots, and cats can often be placed inside the airline cabin if contained in approved carriers. Other pets may not be permitted on the airline at all. Check in advance and be sure you can meet the requirements long before reaching the airport.

When traveling by automobile, place pets in a carrier which can be fastened with a seat belt so it can not be tossed around the vehicle interior in the event of an accident. Plan your trip to allow time for rest stops to walk your dog or cat on a leash. They need to stretch their legs just as much as people do; plus you can use the break to provide food and water. If your travel means you will be staying overnight along the way, be sure to make reservations at pet-friendly hotels or motels. Some of the best hotels allow well-behaved pets while others will permit not non-human creatures at all.

Keep in mind when moving with your pet by automobile that sudden, drastic temperature changes can harm most pets. A car parked in direct sunlight can reach extremely high temperatures in a short time. Parrots and other types of pets can die if exposed for as little as 10 minutes to temperature extremes. Freezing temperatures mean you must warm your vehicle before placing your pets inside.

About the Author: Richard Holley, President and Owner of Summit PM Services, lives in Stony Plain, AB. and is a veteran to poorly executed and organized relocations. Due to these experiences, he felt people needed a better way to plan, organize, prepare, and execute relocations. After diligent research and planning, he completed development of the Online Custom Moving Plan Service and launched Planning-Your-Move.com (http://www.planning-your-move.com). Holley loves animals of all species and knows about the stress a pet can undergo during the changing of residences. Contact him for details about how you and your pets can relocate with much less stress by visiting his website.