During already not so easy relocation period, kids and pets can drive you totally nuts. Plus they add up a couple of dozens of lines to your to-do list. And most of those lines are marked “TO BE DONE YET YESTERDAY”. Among arranging estimates, negotiating to the moving company, wrapping, and packing, it will make your move so much easier to have such a to-do-list ready for you. We at moving-helpers.com are ready to share some tips on how to prepare your pets to move. Kids also should be involved, though they are the subject of a separate article.
Contact your vet
The first thing you should think about as soon as you start planning your move is to inform your vet. Request the list of vaccines and other medical manipulations to be done before you move. Some of those need post-adjustment time so give yourself and your pet at least 3-4 weeks for medical preparations. That is why it’s the first step.
Update chip information
To make this very important step you need to know your pet’s correct chip number. If by any chance you don’t have this information, contact your vet’s office or find out at AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup site. Now you can check & update your contact information with The Registry. Of course, this should be done after you update your address information and get a new postal address. Otherwise, the chip will have to be updated again after you get you new postal address. That is not what you would want to deal with twice in this whole move hassle time. So, S-sequencing is a keyword in this difficult period.
Advise your pet’s educator before you move your pet
Your Favourite Fluffy is so polite and well-groomed because its educator knows what it needs and how it may feel in stressed situations. Move is definitely a stress-provoking situation, so it would not be a bad idea to consult your pet’s educator on its routine adaptation and some tips to prepare your pet for relocation. There might be some diet adjustments, changes in routine, exposure to short-time supervised stressful situations like new places, crowded districts, busy streets, etc. All that will help your pet adapt to the changes in their life easier.
Get your kids involved in relocation
It is important to raise your children’s level of responsibility towards your family pet. Talk to them in a very serious manner and explain that the forthcoming move is a big stress for your pet mostly because it is not what the pet would ever plan, expect, or enjoy. Make them understand that working together they can release this stress and help everybody survive and stay a loving family.
When packing for the move
Try to pack all pet’s belongings on the very last day. That will make your pet feel more familiar as long as possible. If they don’t find their favourite toy, they may feel worried (read: make unnecessary noise) all day and night long. Again, you don’t need all those nerves added to your relocation. Leave the box with your pet’s name empty and somewhere handy so that you don’t forget anything on the day of the big move.
On the day of the big move
As has already been mentioned, kids and pets are not of big help on the day of the move. The best option for the day would be organizing a daycare or a babysitter for both. Or ask your friends or family member for help. In case none of these beautiful options works, you will have to arrange a set of challenges involving kids and pets. “The best helper”, “The cleanest face”, “The emptiest food container” are some of the examples. You know your dearest ones better anyways to keep them occupied and, as the best option, involved in the packing-moving process.
Relocation is not the end of the world
As you can see, there are many things to be covered during your move if pets are involved. But with a certain amount of organizing skills and lots of love and care, your relocation is to be a success. Good luck with your move!
