Moving to a new home can be thrilling for us, but for pets, it can be a source of anxiety. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® understands the challenges of relocating with pets, so we’ve teamed up with The Humane Society of the United States to offer advice on making the process easier for your animals.
A surprising number of pets are surrendered to shelters due to moving complications—7% of dogs and 8% of cats, according to the Association of Animal Welfare Advancement. To help you avoid this, follow these simple tips to ensure your pets remain calm and secure during the move.
Pre-move preparations:
- Get your pet accustomed to their crate early on, particularly if you’re moving far.
- Update their identification tags and microchip details with your new contact information.
- Keep pets safe and separate from the movers on moving day to avoid accidents.
Tips by pet type:
- Dogs:
- Offer treats to your dog to help ease anxiety. You can even provide some to the movers to familiarize your pet with them.
- Keep their comfort items (such as their bed or blanket) close by to help them relax during the move.
- If you can’t be there, ask a friend or family member to stay with your dog to help them adjust to the new home.
- Cats:
- Set up a quiet, secure space where your cat can stay during the move.
- Familiar objects like their favorite blanket or toy will help keep them calm.
- Introduce your cat to the new environment slowly so they don’t get overwhelmed.
- Birds:
- Transport birds in a well-ventilated, shaded carrier to keep them safe from direct sunlight.
- Bring plenty of food and water to keep them comfortable throughout the move.
- Fish:
- Move your fish in secure bags containing both fresh water and water from their tank. Keep them cool and out of the light.
- Set up their tank in the new home and run it for several hours before transferring them back in.
- Small animals:
- Protect small pets from sudden temperature changes by keeping their carriers away from sunlight or cold drafts.
- Ensure they have enough food and water to stay comfortable during the move.
While TWO MEN AND A TRUCK doesn’t transport animals, planning ahead will make moving day much smoother for your pets.
