Moving Day! Now what?
As you know, pet moving to a new home can be stressful for your pets, so please make sure to know that advance planning, patience and affection can help your pets adjust quickly to their new home.On pet travel moving day, many of our customers call and say that "Our cat has not been found since last night and the driver comes here in 30 minutes!" With pets, especially cats, when moving day is here - many times they are not!
The day or so prior to the move date, please make sure you put your pets in a safe, quiet place, such as the bathroom- so that they cannot escape. You will want to make sure to provide plenty of water for your pets while they wait their turn to move & if you have the room, place their travel crate into the bathroom as well. This will help them get ready for their big day and the time spent in their crate!
We also suggest placing a large sign on the door of this room that says, DO NOT ENTER, and make sure that friends and professional movers are aware that this room is off-limits. The more your pets spend in this safe zone, with their crates and away from the moving craziness - the BETTER! While in here, the pets will have no views of all the boxes being packed, the movers carrying out the couch and other stressful things that will make your pets a bit nervous. This nervousness and confusion will cause them to act funny and many times, leave! Please make sure that you focus on keeping your pets safe before and during the move!
Once you arrive to your new destination, it is very important to follow the same rules of safety and preparedness! For pets, adjusting to their new surroundings takes a bit of time as your they acclimate to the new smells, sights and sounds.
Spend some time playing with your pets and reassure them that everything is okay and this is now their new home. Provide a treat or an old familiar toy so that your dog will associate the new place with fun. Set up your dogs belongings so that he will immediately recognize the familiar items, including his bed, crate, toys and food and water bowls. Your pets should be able to settle quickly into their new home. Allow your pets to explore their new home and familiarize themselves with the new sights and smells. Make sure that all doors, windows, and fences are secured so your dog will not accidentally wander away.
Although you are rather busy during these times, please try to maintain your petҒs normal routine as you unpack. Try not to disturb the location you have chosen for your dog. Having a secure place to go to is important for your dog in an unfamiliar place. We strongly suggest taking your dog out for a walk around the new neighborhood so that it will acquaint him to his new surroundings.
As you move your possessions into the new house, be aware of items that can cause harm to your pets. Stoop down and look around the house at your pets' eye level. Look for anything that is within reach of your pest and that can cause harm to them. Make sure your new home is safe for your pets. Check for hazards such as:
Poison Ֆ cleansers, insect repellent, pesticides, medications, certain plants, and antifreeze. These are always around when moving out of and into a new house.
Electricity Ֆ worn appliances and their cords are all new 'toys' to your pets, as they have yet to determine the new boundaries of their home.
Choking hazard Ֆ small items such as packing 'popcorn' or stuffing, torn pieces of boxes, tape, etc
Falling objects Ֆ look for precariously placed appliances, furniture, boxes, etc that are in temporary locations. Many of these are not secure and sit in unstable waiting to be knocked over.
Escape Ֆ loose screen and inadequate fences will allow your pets to escape.
We suggest securing them in a large bedroom or bathroom with the same advice given above! Let them be safe as you move your goods into the home. You can let them out at night or when the craziness settles down a bit.
Have patience and allow them to explore everything around their new home. You may want to introduce your dog to your new neighbors. Your neighbors familiarity with your pet may help in the recovery of your dog if he ever gets lost. Make sure to keep your dog on a leash when meeting new people!