Consider Pets when Relocating

Moving with pets doesn't have to be a stressful experience for you or your pets. However, you must plan carefully and take into consideration the needs and feelings of your companions during the hectic period involved in relocation. All the commotion can cause your pets to become stressed and insecure. Seeing strangers coming in and out of the house, seeing their familiar surroundings take on a different appearance, as well as the preparations required for their move such as packing of toys all combine to make pets fell less secure. The pets might even feel as if they may be left behind.

If your relocation requires selling your current home, real estate agents and potential buyers will be coming to see the house for sale. While some of these visitors may like the type of pet you have, others may be terrified at the mere mention of that type of pet. Especially problematic are snakes, spiders, and rodents. Over the cages or aquariums in which these exotic pets live so visitors won't be scared away. Smaller pets can be confined to their cages or an area of the home while larger pets should be placed outdoors if possible. No one is going to look seriously at your home if your large dog jumps up on them, knocking them to the ground!

You can turn to up-to-date online moving assistant applications and make moving your pet or pets much easier. You'll need to find a place to live in your new area, so use a move planner application to provide information to your listing real estate agent for selling the home as well as providing information to your realtor or rental service searching for new homes for you to see. By including information about the species and needs of all your companion creatures, the list of potential residence can be sorted out to find only those that meet your special needs. If the small family dog is used to playing in a fenced area during the time you are away at work, let your realtor know that fenced yards are of special interest to you. Even if you can give up the fenced yard, you would have no interest whatsoever in seeing properties that exclude pets completely. This saves both you and the realtor lots of time and effort.

When the time to actually leave your home to travel to your new locale, you should have health certificates and, if applicable, proof of vaccination in hand during the entire trip. Airlines will certainly require this information, but even if traveling by car you could have a situation arrive that this proof is necessary. Also, when packing you should be aware of your pets needs so that items can be easily located once you arrive. These items should include special food if necessary, veterinarian-prescribed medication, a favorite toy or two, and possibly a bed. Parrot cages and other small cages for pets can often be taken apart and collapsed for packing into a flat box if necessary.

If you have any type of rather exotic pet, even a parrot, check with your destination location if that pet is legal to own by searching the internet or calling the local government in your new area. Some creatures are banned in some areas and you certainly do not want to have this come as a surprise after you arrive!

If traveling by air, ask the airline every question you can think of which applies to your pet. Do this well before traveling. You'll find that airlines have specifications which carriers and containers must meet in order to be allowed on a flight. Large animals will be placed in the cargo hold and the container must meet requirements, including rules about food and water. Smaller pets can, in some cases, be placed in the airline cabin under your seat if you meet special requirements. Of course, any helper animal, can always have special arrangements made to help a handicapped person travel with their working companion animal.

When traveling in your vehicle, place pets in a carrier and fasten in place with a seat belt for the safety of the pet as well as the humans in the automobile. Be sure to plan some time for rest breaks to allow the pets to go potty and have some food and water. Be sure to keep your pet on a leash even if it is well behaved. Strangers and stress can "spook" the most sedentary pet. If you plan to stay in a hotel during your trip, make sure your pets will be welcomed. Many hotels are happy to let pets who behave well stay you�re their humans but other hotels have strict rules about pets. If you do stay overnight with your pet, be sure to clean up any debris such as seeds, food, or water spills.

Traveling by car can place you and your pets in situations that have the potential for sudden or drastic temperature changes which can harm your pet. Leaving a car parked in sunshine on a hot day can turn the passenger cabin into an oven in a very short time. Parking your car in freezing temperatures can cause the interior to be very cold. Before placing any pets inside, crank the automobile and lets the temperature moderate. Your family will be more comfortable as well as your pets.

About the Author: Richard Holley is President and Owner of Summit PM Services. He currently resides in Stony Plain, AB. As a veteran of poorly organized and executed relocations, he wanted to help people be able to relocate with ease and cost-efficiency. Over a lengthy period, he researched, planned and developed an online moving assistant application, the Online Custom Moving Plan Service, and subsequently launched Planning-Your-Move.com (http://www.planning-your-move.com). Holley understands the stress pets as well as people can experience during a move. For more info, contact him through his website.