Moving With Your Pet
Animals are sensitive to changes in their surroundings, and for this reason, moving can be a very stressful event for them. Making a checklist of your pet’s requirements before you move will help you be sure that everything is taken care of for a hassle-free move.
Health Check: If you are moving to a different state, you may require a health certificate as well as a rabies tag as a form of documentation that your pet is disease free. Before the move, take your pet to the veterinarian for a check-up and to make sure that they are caught up on all of their vaccinations. Some pets may require dietary aids or sedatives to help them cope with the stress of moving; the veterinarian will be able to recommend what is best for your pet.
Identification Tags: Depending on how you choose to transport your pet, you may need a travel tag with your pets name and your address and contact information. It is also a good idea to keep an updated identification tag with your new contact information attached to your pet’s collar. Even with ID tags, dogs and cats should be confined until they are acquainted with their new surroundings; otherwise, they may escape and try to find their old home.
Travel Arrangements: With the exception of seeing-eye dogs, pets are not allowed on public transportation, so the only way to for you to move your pet is either in a privately owned vehicle or on a plane. Puppies or kittens that are under eight weeks old can only be moved in a private vehicle, as the Animal Welfare Act prohibits transporting pets this young by air. It is also not safe to transport your pets in the moving van, as they can easily get hurt in the process.
State and County Regulations: When moving to a new location, it is important to be aware of any regulations regarding pets, as these may vary by state or county. Some counties may limit the number of dogs or cats allowed in a household, while others may have laws prohibiting certain animals or breeds. To avoid being penalized, it is a good idea to check with the state or county veterinarian before the move to make sure that you are not in violations of any laws.
No matter how seamless your transition is, the new surroundings will take some getting used to. In order to ensure that your pet is in good health and handling the move well, you should see a veterinarian as soon as you arrive in your new home. The veterinarian can help reduce the stress on you and your pet by giving you suggestions to help your pet adjust to your new surroundings.
Health Check: If you are moving to a different state, you may require a health certificate as well as a rabies tag as a form of documentation that your pet is disease free. Before the move, take your pet to the veterinarian for a check-up and to make sure that they are caught up on all of their vaccinations. Some pets may require dietary aids or sedatives to help them cope with the stress of moving; the veterinarian will be able to recommend what is best for your pet.
Identification Tags: Depending on how you choose to transport your pet, you may need a travel tag with your pets name and your address and contact information. It is also a good idea to keep an updated identification tag with your new contact information attached to your pet’s collar. Even with ID tags, dogs and cats should be confined until they are acquainted with their new surroundings; otherwise, they may escape and try to find their old home.
Travel Arrangements: With the exception of seeing-eye dogs, pets are not allowed on public transportation, so the only way to for you to move your pet is either in a privately owned vehicle or on a plane. Puppies or kittens that are under eight weeks old can only be moved in a private vehicle, as the Animal Welfare Act prohibits transporting pets this young by air. It is also not safe to transport your pets in the moving van, as they can easily get hurt in the process.
State and County Regulations: When moving to a new location, it is important to be aware of any regulations regarding pets, as these may vary by state or county. Some counties may limit the number of dogs or cats allowed in a household, while others may have laws prohibiting certain animals or breeds. To avoid being penalized, it is a good idea to check with the state or county veterinarian before the move to make sure that you are not in violations of any laws.
No matter how seamless your transition is, the new surroundings will take some getting used to. In order to ensure that your pet is in good health and handling the move well, you should see a veterinarian as soon as you arrive in your new home. The veterinarian can help reduce the stress on you and your pet by giving you suggestions to help your pet adjust to your new surroundings.