Moving is tough enough on people - imagine how overwhelming it would be

if you didn't understand what all the confusion was about. When you are

moving with pets, the boxes ( which cats & ferrets love to explore ), the

comotion, the tension, the new smells & change of everything that is familiar

can add up to a very stressful time for our beloved pets - sometimes even

leading to illness. Planning ahead will make the trip much more pleasureable

for all.

STICK TO A ROUTINE

Stay consistent by keeping walks and feedings at the usual times.

PREPARE THEM

Let them wander around and smell boxes and suitcases so they understand that they’re safe.

TALK TO YOUR VET

Pick up your pet’s records, make sure all shots are up to date, and ask for a recommendation for a vet clinic in your new area.

UPDATE ID TAGS

Make sure tags have your new address and phone number on them in case Max or Boots decides to run away. And though this may seem obvious, make sure they’re actually wearing the tags when you move. Microchipping is a bit pricier, but if you can afford it, it’s the best way to ensure they’ll be returned to you if they get lost.

PICK UP A CAT LEASH

Your fluffy friend may not be impressed, but it’s an easy way to keep tabs on her in the car or on a plane.

GET A STURDY CARRIER

Leave the door open a few days before the move so your pet can get used to it. Make sure it isn’t too small; your cat or dog should be able to move around comfortably inside.

ON MOVING DAY, PUT THEM SOMEPLACE QUIET AND SAFE

You don’t want your pup to get underfoot or take off through an open door. If you can’t leave pets with a neighbour or in a kennel, make sure there’s a safe “pet room” (like a bathroom) in both your old place and your new one. A few days before the move, move their food, water, toys and litter box in there. Then, on moving day, put a sign on the door that says “Cat inside, do not open,” so movers and friends know to be careful.

DON’T GET A NEW PET RIGHT BEFORE A MOVE

Wait till you’re settled before adding a new member to your household.

BRING STUFF THAT’S FAMILIAR

In the new place, surround your buddy with toys, bedding and dishes that look and smell like home. Let cats explore on their own terms, and at their own pace; you may want to keep them in one room to start, and allow them into the rest of the place gradually. If you’re moving into a high-rise, don’t open the windows wide enough for an animal to squeeze through, and remember to keep kitty off the balcony.

CLEAN UP ACCIDENTS RIGHT AWAY

Get rid of odors fast so your pets won’t be tempted to use that spot again.

STAY IN A PET-FRIENDLY PLACES

If your move requires an overnight stay in a hotel, call ahead to find one that will let your pet stay in your room with you & make sure you are aware of their 'pet policies’.TIPS FOR CAR TRAVEL

Cats are generally not happy passengers, so keep them safe in a well-ventilated, securely positioned carrier. Don’t put animals in the trunk or in the open bed of a pickup, and never leave them alone in a parked car, especially when it’s hot out. Bring water along for the ride. Stop every couple of hours for a break.

TIPS FOR AIR TRAVEL

Whether your pet is flying in the cabin with you or as freight, try to get a direct, non-stop flight to minimize travel time and handling.

TRAVELLING WITH A MORE “UNUSUAL” PET?

Fish are easy to move short distances. Just put them in plastic bags that are half-filled with water and half with air. Long distance moves are trickier, and you may want to contact an aquarium retailer to get advice. With hamsters, small reptiles and birds, keep them in their usual cages/enclosures when you travel. If you’re driving, keep the car at a warm, comfortable temperature all the time. If you’re flying, contact the airline to see what their guidelines are for transporting pets other than cats or dogs.

YOUR PET TRAVEL CHECKLIST

Make sure you’ve packed these animal must-haves:

• Veterinary records

• Recent photos

• Medications

• Food and water

• Bowls

• Can opener

• Reusable lids for canned food

• Leash

• Plastic bags and litter box

• Paper towels

• Favourite toys

Smoothly introducing your dog to your new home

Moving into your new home is very exciting, for your entire family!! But did you know that introducing your dog into a new home can be incredibly stressful for them? Fortunately, there are a lot of things that we can do to make this transition easier on them, which in the end makes it easier on us!

There are a lot of things that you can do to make the move less stressful on your pet. When moving, if possible, it would be a good idea to leave the dog with a friend they know. This will keep the dog out of your way when you are moving furniture, and decrease the chance that any accidents may happen. You can also leave the dog in the backyard while you move, as long as it is fully fenced and they cannot escape! Can’t do either?  Well then, the ‘least worst’ scenario is to crate your dog while moving the furniture into the home. Make sure the crate is large enough that they can stand up, turn around and lay down comfortably, and be sure to give them access to water and let them outside to ‘do their business’ every few hours. Doors will be left open, items will be dropped, there will be a lot of commotion, and the best way to keep your pet safe during this time is to keep them out of the way!

During the packing process, you can actually plan ahead to make this as smooth a transition as possible for your four legged friend. Instead of trying to cram the packing into one or two days, planning to pack over a longer period of time can reduce the stress on your dog (and probably yourself as well!). Make sure that you pack their water and food bowls, toys, and blankets/beds in a separate box that will be easily accessible once you are at your new home. Dogs do not like change, so the more familiar the setting, the better! One easy trick is to make sure that they have belongings that smell like you, their people! Having a familiar scent in a strange place can make the transition easier. All you would need to do is put their toys in your laundry hamper for a few days, and they will smell just like you!! And don’t feel embarrassed, this is like the sweet smell of roses for your dog. These are as important to your dog as your child’s teddy bear is to them.

For more great tips on a successful move with your pet, please visit The Humane Society of the United States.

Housetraining is always a big issue, and even well-trained dogs may not know where to ‘go’ in a new home. When you bring them to your new house, make sure that they are taken into the back right away, where they can ‘do their business’. It may sound silly, but it is always a good idea to reward them with praise, so that they know they did something good! It may seem odd to your new neighbors that you are congratulating your dog for successfully going to the bathroom (you may become the most talked about person on your street), but your dog will think that they just won a gold medal for it!! You will want to keep en eye on them to make sure that they are able to find the back door (or front door depending on the home) whenever necessary. Here is a good rule of thumb to remember: let them out after playing for a period of time (15-30 minutes depending on age), after they wake up, and after they eat!

For puppies, the rules need to be modified slightly. You still want to show them where the door is, and give them lots of praise when they go where they should (this should be a very exciting event for them, and remember that the gold medal they are winning can come in the form of a treat!). Be sure to let them outside as often as possible, especially immediately after they eat, wake up, and every 10-15 minutes during playtime! There will be accidents, no puppy is perfect (adorable yes, perfect no!), so be patient and keep it positive!

Another point to keep in mind is that a puppy can ‘hold it’ for approximately 1 hour for every month they are old. For example, a puppy that is only 2 months old, can generally ‘hold it’ for approximately 2 hours at a time! This may not apply to every puppy, as they are just as different from each other as we are from other people, but it does give you an idea of what to expect.

For other great tips on housetraining your pet, please visit The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or The Humane Society of the United States.

Some other great links for advice on moving with your pet include:
Pets Welcome – a great website for finding pet friendly hotels, for those long distance moves
Air Animal (pet movers) – for the really, really long distance moves
Atlas World Group -- great advice for moving tips

 

We hope you enjoyed a few photos of our furry pal.