Pets are very special members of many families. Like their human friends, these animals have unique personalities and particular needs. Unlike plants, you cannot pack a pet up for any amount of time. They must be transported with the utmost care, respect, and kindness.
A pet is a domestic animal kept primarily for amusement or companionship. Most live to be between 10 and 20 years old, and they require special veterinary care. Pets must be treated well if they are to lead happy, healthy lives. They must be fed, given water, taken out to walk, and allowed to explore new places. During the course of their lives, they are likely to experience at least one relocation with their human masters. Plan ahead to make their moves as stress-free as possible. |
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| Moving With Cats and Dogs: |
Cats and dogs pose unique moving circumstances. Cats are naturally more attached to their surroundings than they are to people. Before relocating the animal, it needs to be acclimated to its surroundings. Place the carrier out in the open several days before the move. Place toys, treats, and other favorite items in the carrier to encourage the cat to explore and enjoy the box. On the day of the move, continue the process, this time gently closing the carrier door. Make sure the cat has plenty of treats, toys, and other objects around it during the move. Avoid feeding the pet for several hours before the drive, and never leave the cat alone in the car for any period of time longer than thirty minutes. It is both cruel and illegal. If you must leave the cat for an extremely short amount of time, be sure that the windows are open and the doors are securely locked.
Some cats become irate upon seeing, smelling, or hearing a carrier. For animals such as these, a more elaborate plan is needed. Make sure your cat is contained comfortably within a room. Place the carrier in another room so that the entrance is facing the ceiling. Turn the radio on at a rather high volume and enter the room where the cat is resting. Give it a treat and pet it, picking it up and showing it love. Slowly walk toward the carrier making sure that the cat is not able to see it. In one swift motion, place the cat in the carrier tail-first and quickly close the door. Gently lower the carrier and continue to show love to the animal.
Dogs are much easier to move than cats. Keep the pet on a leash at all times, and allow it to explore before admitting it to the car. Immediately upon arrival, take the dog for a walk or allow it to roam your new backyard. This will help acquaint the dog with its new environment. If walking the dog, immediately begin to teach it how close it may walk to the sidewalk or street. Encourage it with an upbeat vocal tone at all times.
For both cats and dogs, confine the animal to a single room with its toys, blankets, food and water bowls, and other possessions nearby on move-out day. Place a “No Entry” sign on the outside of the door to ensure that the door remains closed throughout the day. This closed environment protects the animal from running away. When you arrive at the new home, maintain your pet’s feeding, exercise, and play schedules to help make the transition as smooth as possible. If your pet suffers from anxiety or requires constant attention, consider boarding the pet until your home is ready to inhabit. At all times, your pet should wear an identification tag with your current phone number in case it should become lost. Bring the number of the nearest animal control facility and pound with you on the day of your move so that you can easily contact the facility if you pet runs away.
If you must move by air, select a direct flight in order to minimize travel time. This will keep your pets uncomfortable for the shortest amount of time and will minimize their exposure to harsh outdoor conditions. Check for counter-to-counter services with the individual airlines to make sure your pet is carried on and off the plane by an airline employee, not with regular luggage. The service may be more expensive than other methods of transportation, but it will calm your pet and keep it in good health. |
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| Moving with other small animals: |
| Other small animals like hamsters, gerbils, mice, rabbits, birds, lizards, snakes, and tarantulas can be carried in the car in a relatively normal manner. Make sure that the pet has a clean cage, enough food, and access to water. If you are afraid that your pet may become agitated during the move, cover the cage with a cloth to make the ride more comfortable. Avoid playing loud music or letting the car become too warm or too cold, as these fluctuations might cause great harm to such small creatures. |
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| Moving with fish: |
Before moving your fish, check for water dissimilarities between your origin and your destination. Moving between city, well, and reservoir water can kill fish who might not be prepared for the varying mineral contents and chemical compositions between the waters. If possible, try to move the fish in their current tank with the same water. If not, move the fish in a bucket or bags filled with tank water. Buckets are preferred as they permit more air circulation. After the fish are ready to be transported, you may ship the tank, filters, décor, and other components (including extra water).
Once at your destination, fill the tank completely with the filters, decor, and old water. Change the water gradually, allowing the fish to adopt the new environment. Do not allow the system to become shocked in any manner or else the fish may not survive. After several weeks, you should be able to use the water from your new home to replenish the tank water completely without harming your pets.
If you are going to be facing a long move, do not feed the fish for three days prior to the relocation process. This will help keep waste down while they are being transported and will keep the water from reaching toxic levels. Upon arrival at the destination, set up the tank and add all decor and old water. Allow the water to reach room temperature and then float the bags of fish in the tank to help them acclimate to the temperature. Release the fish after fifteen minutes and then turn off the aquarium lights for an entire day. On the second day, the newly-released fish will begin to enjoy their new habitat and will come to the top of the tank for food. You can then safely feed them using the same diet that they previously had at your old home. If the process seems too daunting, you can hire a specialty fish mover to take care of the entire relocation process for you.
Moving pets is a difficulty, but it pales in comparison with the companionship that pets bring to a household. Treat your pets well during the relocation process and they will live for many long, happy years in their new home. |
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