Pets on the move!
Lets talk about our little pals for a moment. This week I was excitied and blue all at the same time with the news that my oldest step-daughter is moving her family[my 2 most beautiful grandbabies!] from the West Cost to Winnipeg. I could blog about the details of transfering from one province to the next, but I may shed a few tears..... so lets talk about something that always makes me smile.... our pets!
Because pets have an instinctive fear of new surroundings, pet owners want to help them adjust quickly we love our little friends and here are a few tips to help in their transition.
Per-Planning is the key to an easier transfer, regardless of the mode of transportation chosen. Travel arrangements should be completed as far in advance of moving day as is practical, keeping departure day tasks to a minimum. One person in the family should assume responsibility for the pet. If you are flying to your new home, be sure to discuss the transfer of your pet with your travel agent. Your agent can help you select the best way to transfer your pet, offer helpful suggestions, and assist with, or take care of, any necessary shipping arrangements. The agent may recommend a pet handling agency that will take care of all the details of shipping pets, including boarding, pick-up, and delivery. Costs vary according to services rendered.
General Checklist
1. Take pet to veterinarian for checkup and health documents apply for entry permit if one is needed; inquire about sedation for pet; obtain pet's health record; schedule second visit to vet if necessary; ask your vet to recommend a colleague in the new city.
2. Obtain travel identification tag. If you have a cell phone, always use this number for your "If Found Please Call" contact number...I have a story about "Dasiy" who escaped from her new home and was found by loving strangers but was nearly sent back to her old "hood" in another province when actually her owner was living right up the street...
3. If Applicable,check destination state's pet entry regulations, area or district bylaws for licencing information.
Dogs and cats encounter many of the same problems people have in moving to a new place. They must become used to a new house and neighborhood, unfamiliar sounds strange postal carriers and other service people, water that does not agree with them, and a colder or warmer climate. Once accustomed to the changes, the pet will settle down and be content.
It is advisable to keep the pet confined until it realizes that this is the new home and that the family is going to stay, or it may wander off and try to return to the old home. This is especially true of cats, and they should be confined for several weeks.
To speed that "at home" feeling, use the pet's familiar food and water dishes, bed, blanket, toys, and so forth. Try to put them in the same sort of location as they were in the old home water dish by the back door, food dish in a particular spot in the kitchen, and so forth. Taking a surplus of water from you old home and brining it with you for your little pals once you are in your new home is advisable and could cut down on upset tummies.
This is also true of tropical fish to avoid harming them, test the water for similarity to that in your old home and adjust it to the requirements of the fish.
Happy moving and happy "tails!"