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Moving:
How to Move Your Pet Safely
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you and your pet are getting ready to move, follow these recommendations
to keep your companion safe on moving day: |
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Plan
ahead. Advance planning will make your move less stressful
on you and your pet. Pack over a period of time, and try to
maintain your pet's normal routine. |
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Invest
in a high-quality, sturdy pet carrier. If you have a dog
or cat whom you want to keep safely confined on moving day,
get a carrier ahead of time and gradually accustom your pet
to spending time in it. |
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Purchase
a new ID tag for your pet. As soon as you know your new
address, get a pet ID tag that includes your new address and
telephone number(s). Or, obtain some other visible form of pet
identification such as a collar with ID information imprinted
on it or an identification band that attaches to the collar
but does not dangle like a traditional tag. An
up-to-date ID tag is a lost pet's ticket home. |
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Keep
your pet secure. On moving day, place your pet (whether
in the carrier or not) in a safe, quiet place, such as the bathroom,
so that he or she cannot escape. Place a large sign on the door
that says, DO NOT ENTER, and be sure that friends and professional
movers are aware that the room is off-limits. |
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Make
your car trip safe. If you're traveling by car and your
dog enjoys car travel, you may want to accustom him to a restraining
harness. Because most cats aren't comfortable traveling in cars,
it's best (for their safety as well as yours) to transport them
in a well-ventilated and securely placed carrier. Never leave
pets alone in a parked vehicle during warm weather as the
temperature rises quickly and can injure or kill them. In any
season, a pet in a parked vehicle is vulnerable to being harmed
or stolen. Never put an animal in the trunk of a car, the open
bed of a pickup truck, or the storage area of a moving van. |
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Talk
to your veterinarian. If your pet doesn't enjoy car rides,
consult your veterinarian about behavior modification or medication
that might lessen the stress of travel. Depending on your destination,
your pet may also need additional vaccinations, medications,
and health certificates. |
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Find
hotels in advance. Listings of pet-friendly hotels will
help you find overnight lodging during your move. For example,
Motel 6, Red Roof Inns, and Studio 6 properties all accept pets.
Our online information on Finding Pet-Friendly
Hotel Accommodations will point you toward some useful resources
and get your planning on track. |
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Plan
ahead for air travel. Check with your veterinarian, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the airline if your pet
will be flying. Also be sure to check out our online tips for
traveling with your companion animal. You will need to take
precautions to ensure your pet's safety, so give yourself ample
time to work out all the arrangements. |
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Prepare
your new home. Take with you all the familiar and necessary
things your pet will need from day one in your new home: food,
water, medications, bed, litter box, food and water bowls, and
health records. Also have on hand a recent photo of your pet,
for use if your pet becomes lost. |
from
the Humane Society of the United States' Moving: How to Move
Your Pet Safely
Find
Pet Friendly Hotel Accomodations
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There
are thousands of hotels, motels, and inns across the United
States that accept guests with pets. Most hotels set their
own policies, so it is important to call ahead and ask if
pets are permitted and if there is a size limit and/or extra
charge.
The following
publications, available at most bookstores, provide listings
of pet-friendly lodging:
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Fodor's
Road Guide USA: Where to Stay With Your Pet by
Arden,
Andrea and Emmanuelle Morgan |
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Traveling
With Your Pet—The AAA PetBook by Automobile Association
of America |
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Vacationing
With Your Pet by Eileen Barish |
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Pets
Welcome by Kathleen and Robert Fish |
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The
Portable petswelcome.com: The Complete Guide to Traveling
with Your Pet by Fred N. Grayson and Chris Kingsley |
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Pets
on the Go: The Definitive Pet Accommodation and Vacation
Guide by Dawn and Robert Habgood |
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DogFriendly.com's
United States and Canada Dog Travel Guide by Tara
Kain |
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DogFriendly.com's
California and Nevada Dog Travel Guide by Tara Kain |
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The
Pet Travel and Fun Authority of Best-of-State Places to
Play, Stay & Have Fun Along the Way by M.E. Nelson |
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Check
out the following Web sites for additional information on
pet-friendly accommodations:
DogFriendly.com
PetsWelcome.com
PetsOnTheGo.com
TravelDog.com
TripsWithPets.com
As you and your pet head off together, it's important for
you to do your part to ensure that dogs and cats will continue
to be welcomed as traveling companions. Obey local animal
control ordinances, keep your animal under control at all
times, and be thoughtful and courteous to other travelers.
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adapted
from information published by the Humane Society of the United States
Find
Pet-Friendly Rental Housing
www.apartmentguide.com
www.apartments.com
www.apartmentworld.com
www.dogfriendly.com
www.floridapetbook.com
www.forrent.com
www.luxurymiamirealestate.com
www.peoplewithpets.com
www.petapartments.net
South Florida Pet Friendly Realtor – www.petfriendlyagent.com
www.petswelcome.com
www.rent.net
www.mynewplace.com
adapted
from information published by the Humane Society of the United States
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