There are not many easy things about moving. The whole process, from finding a new apartment to packing your things and delivering everything from point A to point B, can be a huge problem. One thing that can make this effort even more difficult? Interstate relocation with pets. Our furry friends may be as worried about moving as we are.
Once you start packing things, they may begin to feel insecure. In addition, relocation and acclimatization in a new place can cause a lot of anxiety and stress. Just as you need to prepare your children for relocation, you need to do something similar with your pets. So, if you are planning a move, just make sure you spend some time thinking about how to make this process a little less difficult for you and your pets.
Here are eight practical tips for interstate relocation with pets
1. Get their medical records
Depending on your mode of transport and where you are moving, you may need certain documents regarding the health of your pet. Once you have identified the requirements, make an appointment with your chosen veterinarian. Keep your documents in a convenient place while you travel, as you may be asked to submit them along the way.
Most often required documents:
- Certificate of rabies vaccination. The current rabies label and vaccination certificate signed by your veterinarian is your pet’s most important travel document. When preparing for interstate relocation with pets, be sure to keep this certificate at your disposal.
- Certificate of Health. A certificate signed by your veterinarian describing your pet, listing all vaccinations and indicating that your pet is healthy and free of infectious diseases. Health certificates are valid for a limited period of time – sometimes only 10 days. Make sure your pet arrives at its destination before its certificate expires.
2. Update their tags and chips
Before you pack the first box, you must make sure that your pet’s collar tags are updated with your current phone number. What for? During the move, it so happens that your little guys can run away. And if they are scared (as they may be, if you move large objects or make a lot of noise), this is much more likely.
Updated tags ensure that if they run away, someone will know who to call. You should also consider microchipping. If you have taken your animals from the shelter, they probably already have these chips. But if not, then microchips are another good security measure. Any veterinarian and many other pet professionals can scan the microchip to find information about the owner of the pet.
3. Accustom them in advance to the carrier or box
If you are moving with cats or small dogs, they should be in the carrier or box when you move them from one apartment to another. This can create a problem if your pets do not have experience with these things. To ease their fear, take carriers or boxes long before moving, to give them time to smell them and make sure they feel safe. You can even fill them with their favorite toys, goodies and one of your T-shirts (your animals will find solace in your smell).
4. Make a transport plan
This can be a big problem during an interstate relocation with pets. Movers in Florida will most likely not be able to transport them. Therefore, you need another way to transport them to a new place. If you don’t have a car, you can see if you can borrow it from a friend. If not, you may need to take them in a taxi. In any case, your pets may develop motion sickness. See if your vet can give you any medications to give them just in case. And try not to give them too much food in the morning when moving.
5. Or consider other options for moving day
In addition, you can build other plans for your pets so that they are not part of the madness of the move. See if they can stay with a friend or neighbor the night before moving. Just until all your boxes and furniture are moved to a new place.
This is a great idea for a number of reasons. On the one hand, this is a less stressful option for animals. And on the other hand, the likelihood that one of them will run away while your interstate movers Florida pull your sofa through the front door is much less. By completely removing them from the picture, you can get rid of stress.
6. Pack the pet box
Just as you need to carry some important things with you – medicines, toiletries, a coffee maker, etc. – you need to make sure that you have several important things for pets in an easily accessible box. Keep there at least a couple of days of food, as well as toys, beds, extra litter for kittens. And everything else that your pet needs right away when you get to a new place.
7. Keep everyone locked up
If your pets live with you on the day you move, do not forget to place them in the same room, both in the old apartment and in the new one. Mark it with a sign so that your movers (or friends who help you move) do not open the door. If your pets are not limited, they can easily run away or be under someone’s feet, which is unsafe for anyone involved in the move. Keep your kids occupied while moving by assigning them to keep the pets in one room. This room will become the home of your pets in the new apartment. Fill it with food, water, and whatever they like.
8. Stick to a routine
Finally, as far as possible, it’s important to stick to your pet’s typical daily routine. Of course, the moving day is hectic, so it may not be possible. But if you can feed and walk them according to the schedule that your pets are used to, this will greatly facilitate the interstate relocation with pets.
