Moving is a significant life event, often filled with stress and uncertainty. Now, imagine adding the responsibility of relocating your furry, scaled, or feathered family members to the mix. It might seem like a logistical nightmare, but with careful planning and the right resources, moving with pets can be a smooth and successful journey. You’re not alone in this challenge, and this guide will provide the essential information you need to navigate this process with confidence.
I. Pre-Move Planning: Setting the Stage for Success
The key to a stress-free move with pets lies in meticulous preparation. Starting early and addressing all the necessary steps will help you avoid last-minute panics and ensure your pets’ safety and comfort.
A. Veterinary Care: Your First Step
- Importance of a pre-move vet visit: Before anything else, schedule a visit with your veterinarian. This appointment is crucial for assessing your pet’s overall health and ensuring they are fit for travel.
- Up-to-date vaccinations, health certificates, and necessary medications: Make sure all vaccinations are current and obtain any required health certificates. If you are flying, most states and airlines require this documentation. Also, ensure you have an adequate supply of any necessary medications for the trip and for the first few days in your new home.
- Discuss anti-anxiety options and potential side effects: Talk to your vet about options to help manage your pet’s anxiety during travel. While sedation might seem like an easy solution, it’s generally not recommended for air travel because it can interfere with an animal’s ability to breathe on the plane. Consider alternative methods, like calming treats, sprays, or Thundershirts.
- Gather all vet records: Collect all your pet’s medical records and ensure you have them on hand. It is also useful to have a copy of these on your phone in case you need it.
- Address specific concerns for senior pets, or pets with disabilities: Older pets or those with disabilities might require additional care and consideration. Work with your vet to create a plan that meets their unique needs.
B. Identification: Ensuring Your Pet’s Safe Return
Microchipping: If your pet is not already microchipped, consider this a priority. A microchip is a permanent form of identification and should include your current contact information. Be sure to update this information with the microchip company before you move.
- Collars and ID tags: Make sure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag, clearly stating your name, cell phone number, and new address. This is especially useful if your pet escapes during the move.
- Consider a separate rabies tag: It’s also a good idea to keep a separate rabies tag on their collar.
C. Research Your New City
Local laws and regulations: Research any specific pet laws in your new area. These could include breed bans, leash laws, and noise ordinances.
- Locate local dog parks, and pet-friendly resources: Identify local dog parks and other resources in your new neighborhood. This will make it easier for your pets to acclimate to their new surroundings.
- D. Create a Pet Travel Kit: Essential Supplies
- Food, water, and bowls: Pack enough food and water for the entire trip, as well as portable bowls for easy access.
- Pee pads and litter box (for cats): For cats, ensure you have pee pads for carriers and a portable litter box.
- Elimination bags (for dogs): For dogs, include elimination bags for easy cleanup during stops.
- Medications and supplements: Don’t forget to include all your pet’s medications and supplements.
- A few favorite toys, and familiar blankets or bedding: Pack a few of your pet’s favorite toys, familiar blankets or bedding to provide comfort and a sense of security.
- Recent photo of your pet, in case of emergency: Keep a recent photo of your pet readily available on your phone or printed out.
E. Acclimating to Carriers and Crates
Introduce carriers or crates early and make them a positive space: If you plan on using a crate or carrier, start introducing them to your pet well before your travel date. This helps your pet get used to them.
- Place familiar blankets or toys inside: Put familiar blankets and toys inside to make these spaces more appealing.
F. Plan Your Route and Overnight Stays
Locate pet-friendly hotels: Research pet-friendly hotels along your route in advance and be aware of any pet fees.
- Plan for rest stops for the pets to potty: Plan your route with regular stops for bathroom and water breaks.
- Consider using a rewards credit card to get free hotel stays: If you are able to obtain a new credit card right now, I would get one that will accumulate points with purchases and also has at least one bonus that will allow you to accumulate points faster, and then use those points to try and get some free nights.
- Look for emergency veterinary clinics along the route: Identify emergency veterinary clinics along your route so you know where to go if there is a medical issue.
II. Transportation Options: Choosing the Best Fit
The best transportation method for your pet will depend on your individual circumstances, your pet’s temperament, and your destination.
A. Driving: The Most Common Choice
- Restraint options: crates or carriers, harness seatbelts: When driving, keep your pet safe using a carrier, a crate, or a seatbelt harness.
- Safety tips for keeping pets secure in the car: Restraining your pet is essential to prevent them from distracting the driver or getting injured.
- The importance of never letting pets roam free in the car: Do not let your pets roam freely in the car. This can be dangerous for both you and your pet.
- Planning for frequent stops for bathroom and water breaks: Make regular stops for potty breaks, water, and exercise.
- DIY options: Some pet owners sleep in their cars to keep their pets with them.
B. Flying: When Driving Isn’t an Option
Airline regulations: restrictions on pet weight, types of carriers, and location on the aircraft (cabin vs. cargo): Each airline has specific rules regarding pet travel. Check your airline’s website for details on carrier sizes, pet weights, and where pets are allowed on the plane (cabin vs cargo).
- In-cabin travel: carrier size, pee pads, leash and harness: If your pet is small enough, they may be able to travel in the cabin with you. You will need an appropriate carrier, pee pads for accidents, and a leash and harness for when you are in the airport.
- Cargo travel: what to expect, necessary crate size, potential risks: Larger pets usually have to travel in cargo. Ensure you have an airline-approved crate that is large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Be aware that cargo can be noisy, unheated, and stressful for pets.
- International flights: quarantine, documentation, specific airline rules: International flights for pets come with even more rules. Check the export requirements of the country you are leaving from and the import requirements of the country you are arriving in. Some countries require a quarantine period.
- Animal Hotels: These services are sometimes available to care for your pet during layovers or delays.
C. Ground Transportation Services
Overview of pet transport companies and services: These services specialize in transporting pets safely.
- Using CitizenShipper and other platforms: Platforms like CitizenShipper can connect you with pet transport services.
- Choosing reputable and USDA-certified transporters: Make sure to choose a USDA-certified pet transport company that has good reviews and communicates with you throughout the process.
- Cost-saving strategies: Compare the costs between various providers. VIP services might cost more than basic options, so decide what you need to make your pet comfortable and safe.
- Additional services: Some companies offer pet protection plans, 24/7 vet services, and messaging systems.
D. Other Options:
Train travel: Some trains allow pets, often with specific crate requirements and other rules.
- Charter flights: If other options are not feasible, there are also pilots who will do rescue or charter flights for pets.
III. During the Move: Keeping Your Pet Safe and Calm
The journey itself can be the most challenging part, but there are ways to make it less stressful for you and your pet.
A. Maintaining Routines:
- Stick to feeding, potty, and playtime schedules as much as possible: Try to keep your pet’s normal schedule consistent, even on travel days.
B. Managing Anxiety and Stress:
Recognizing signs of stress: panting, pacing, excessive vocalization, hiding: Be aware of signs of stress in your pets, which might include panting, pacing, excessive vocalization, or hiding.
- Using calming aids: Thundershirts, Feliway/Adaptil sprays, calming treats: Consider using calming aids like Thundershirts, Feliway/Adaptil sprays, or calming treats.
- Medication options: gabapentin, other anti-anxiety meds: If your pet suffers from extreme anxiety, your vet might suggest medication such as gabapentin.
- The importance of keeping the car quiet, and avoiding loud music: Keep your car quiet and avoid loud music, as this can increase stress.
- Test drives: Take your pets on test drives to see how they react before your big travel day.
- C. Handling Unexpected Issues
- What to do if your pet escapes: recent photo, microchip, local resources: Have a recent photo readily available in case your pet escapes and keep your microchip information up to date.
- Managing medical emergencies on the road: Research emergency vet clinics along your route.
- Preparing a specific pet emergency kit: Create a specific pet emergency kit with first-aid supplies.
D. Special Considerations for Multiple Pets:
Separate carriers for cats: If you have multiple cats, keep them in separate carriers to avoid conflict and stress.
- Monitor interactions to ensure safety: Keep a close eye on them in shared spaces to avoid any potential issues.
- Additional strategies for multiple cats: Some people use large dog crates and create platforms for cats.
IV. Settling In: Helping Your Pet Adjust to a New Home
Once you reach your destination, it is important to ensure your pets settle in comfortably.
A. Creating a Safe Space:
- Keep cats in one room initially with all essentials: When you arrive, keep cats in a designated room with all their essentials. This allows them to adjust to their new surroundings gradually.
- Slowly introduce them to the rest of the house: Gradually introduce your cats to the rest of the house after a few days.
- Provide a familiar bed, toys, and blankets: Having familiar items available will help your pet feel more secure.
- B. Maintaining Consistency:
- Stick to established routines: Keep to your regular feeding and potty schedules.
- Continue with regular feeding and potty break schedules: This consistency will help your pets feel more secure in their new surroundings.
- C. Monitoring your pet’s behavior:
- Look for signs of anxiety or stress: Keep a close eye on your pets for signs of anxiety or stress.
- Use positive reinforcement to help your pet adjust: Use positive reinforcement and rewards to help them adjust to their new environment.
- Consult your vet if you have any concerns: Contact your vet if you have any concerns about your pet’s adjustment.
- D. Integrating with the new community:
- Find local vets and pet resources: Start looking for new local vets and other pet resources, such as groomers and pet supply stores.
- Introduce pets to new neighbors and friends: Introduce your pets slowly to new people and pets in your new neighborhood.
V. Unique Pet Considerations: Beyond Cats and Dogs
Moving with pets other than cats and dogs requires special consideration of their unique needs.
- A. Moving with Horses:
- Pre-trip visit with an equine veterinarian is a must.
- Insurance and thorough travel plans are essential.
- Ensure the availability of a ready pasture, and up-to-date Coggins test.
- Use stress reduction techniques such as calm music during travel.
- B. Moving with Chickens:
- Be aware of local laws and restrictions on backyard chickens in your new city.
- Move chickens at night when they are calmer.
- Proper crating is important, and avoid mixing aggressive chickens.
- Minimize the number of stops during transit.
- C. Moving with Snakes:
- Snakes are relatively easy to transport in a pillowcase and cardboard box.
- You might need to provide a heat source, depending on the species and climate.
- D. Other Small Animals:
- Rabbits, birds, fish, and other small mammals: Each of these types of pets have unique needs when it comes to temperature, housing, and stress management. Do specific research for each type of pet.
VI. Cost-Saving Strategies: Relocating Your Pet on a Budget
Moving with pets does not have to break the bank.
- Affordable transportation options: ground transport is a more affordable option than flying.
- Negotiate with movers: When possible, negotiate with movers for pet transport services.
- Utilize reward programs: Use reward programs for pet-friendly accommodations to save on costs.
VII. Addressing Common Misconceptions: Myth-Busting
There are many common misconceptions about moving with pets.
- Myth: Pets need to be sedated for travel. Sedation is not generally recommended for pet travel, especially for air travel, unless specifically advised by a vet.
- Myth: All hotels are pet-friendly. While many hotels are pet friendly, not all are. Always verify before booking.
- Myth: Pets are always better off flying with you. Whether a pet should fly with their owners depends on the pet’s size, temperament, and the travel logistics. Ground transport may be preferable.
VIII. The Human Element
Moving is also stressful for pet owners.
- How can pet owners manage their own stress during the move? Make sure to take care of your own needs and mental health.
- How can pet owners strengthen the bond with their pets during the relocation? Use this opportunity to spend extra time with your pets and strengthen your bond.
IX. Conclusion: A Happy Pet, A Successful Move
Moving with pets can be challenging, but with planning, patience, and the right resources, it can be a positive experience for everyone. By using the strategies outlined in this guide, you can ensure your pets arrive at your new home safely and comfortably.
X. Call to Action:
We encourage you to share your own experiences and tips in the comments below. If you are planning to move with your pet, download our free checklist. If you would like to contact an expert for help, please reach out to us directly.
This guide provides a comprehensive resource for anyone planning a move with their pets, combining practical advice, expert insights, and strategies to address the many challenges involved. By following these steps, pet owners can make their move as smooth and stress-free as possible.