Tips for when you’re moving with your pets
If moving is stressful for a homeowner, imagine how it feels for your family pet! Moving home is a difficult experience for any household pet, whether it’s a large pet like a dog or a small one like a hamster, animals in general do not like to be disturbed!
Dogs in particular hate being parted from their owners for long and any separation can be very upsetting for them. All animals need fresh water and food; they should also be surrounded by familiar things. They may not be human, but animals are home loving creatures and if you don’t include your pet in your moving plans they might get very unsettled.
Before your moving day, make sure your pets are fitted with suitable ID – collars tags with your name, mobile phone number and new postcode. Microchipping is also recommended and will serve as a backup if your pet loses its collar in its new home.
What can you do to help family pets settle down?
Dogs: Try to keep them away on moving day by asking a neighbour or friend who knows your dog to look after it. The sight of its owners packing can be worrying. Once your dog is out of the home, keep it away until you can take it to your new home. When you arrive at the new house, wait until everything has been placed indoors before bringing them in. Make sure their basket and any toys are ready. The plan should be to keep everything looking as back to normal as possible. It’s also a good idea to encourage them to go to the toilet before coming into the house for the first time since dogs can be very excitable. For the first few hours it might be an idea to keep them on a lead.
Cats: As with dogs, ask a friend or neighbour to look after them on moving day as cats have a habit of wandering off which could be a worry to you. Make sure you don’t let its food and milk go in the moving van. As with dogs, the sight of familiar things such as a basket or favourite rug can be very comforting on arrival. For the journey, buy or hire a travel basket. Your mover may be able to hire you one.
Birds: Caged birds will normally travel quite well and will be quite content with you in the car, but the journey needs to be short and they need their food, water and ventilation. Once at your new home, try to put their cage in a position as similar as possible to the old home.
Moving overseas
There are specialists in the field of animal transportation that usually work closely with moving companies. Ask Chatfields about contacting one of them on your behalf, but remember to plan well in advance. As a professional moving company we have moved all kinds and sizes of pets. Make a point of asking for advice if you have prized collections of fish or birds to be moved. If you have household pets, tell Chatfields in advance if you want to make special arrangements for their transfer.
Moving with Pets Checklist
- Check Collars and ID tags are up-to-date
- Arrange with a friend or neighbour to look after you pet on moving day
- Check pet food is at hand
- Hire suitable pet transport containers