| Often when we move, we're so busy with | | | | consideration that no airline can guarantee |
| packing and preparing for the move that we | | | | acceptance of an animal it has not seen. Make |
| forget to give proper attention to our pets. | | | | sure you've got all the necessary |
| But we shouldn't. For dogs, like for many | | | | documentations, proper carrier markings and |
| other pets, a move to a place with new | | | | sizing, and food and drink for the flight. |
| sights, sounds and especially smells can be a | | | | You can check with Delta Airline |
| challenge or even a trauma. Especially it | | | | recommendations on shipping your pet. |
| concerns dogs which never leave the house but | | | | |
| for a veterinary clinic. It's harder for them | | | | Usually interstate health certificates for |
| to adjust than for the dogs that are used to | | | | dogs have to be obtained before entering most |
| new experiences going out every day. The most | | | | states. Rabies vaccine is required for dogs |
| important thing in moving with a dog is to | | | | to enter most states. Hawaii even requires |
| make it feel as secure, calm and comfortable | | | | that dogs be quarantined for the period of |
| as you can, otherwise your move can turn to | | | | 120 days. Be sure your pet wears |
| nightmare. The following suggestions will | | | | identification tags with your pet's name and |
| make the dog moving easier: | | | | description, your name, address and phone |
| | | | number; vaccination tags are often required |
| Start packing 1 or 2 week before the actual | | | | as well. For more detailed information on |
| day of the move in order not to get a dog | | | | each state requirement for pet's travel go to |
| overly excited when you try to pack | | | | USDA Veterinary Services. |
| everything in a rush during the last couple | | | | |
| of days before movers arrive. Do not pack | | | | Airlines generally transport animals in the |
| your dog's favorite toys or move the bedding | | | | cargo compartment of the plane, but small |
| if possible. Sudden change of safety | | | | dogs are allowed to travel in airliner cabin |
| environment will make your dog anxious and | | | | with their owners, provided they are placed |
| may lead to unpredictable behavior. | | | | in an approved carrier that will feet under |
| | | | the seat. Dog kennels should be roomy enough |
| Don't change the feeding schedule of your dog | | | | to allow you pet sit, stand and lie |
| and keep doing the regular walks with it on, | | | | naturally; they must be easy to open, strong |
| before and after the move. | | | | enough and leak proof; kennels should have |
| | | | proper ventilation: at least 14% of the total |
| If the place you are moving to is located not | | | | wall space and at least one third of the |
| far from the place you are moving from, try | | | | openings must be located on to the top of the |
| bringing your dog there so it can explore new | | | | kennel with the rims on the sides to provide |
| sights, sounds and smells during the walks. | | | | at least an inch of clearance in case the |
| In this case the change of moving won't be as | | | | opening is blocked by another cargo. The |
| stressful for your pet. | | | | kennel should have handles to lift it and |
| | | | marked "live animals" with the directional |
| Prepare the new id tag for you dog and be | | | | arrows showing the proper position of the |
| sure that the dog wears it on the day of the | | | | kennel. Also the instructions for feeding and |
| move, especially if you're moving long | | | | watering you pet should be attached to the |
| distance. This is in case the dog gets scared | | | | kennel. Food and water must be provided for |
| and runs away or gets lost in the turmoil of | | | | puppies every 12 hours and for mature dogs |
| the move. | | | | should be fed every 24 hours and given water |
| | | | every 12 hours. |
| It is strongly recommended that you leave | | | | |
| your dog at your neighbors', friends' or | | | | Feed your animals no less then 3 hours before |
| relatives' your dog is familiar with on the | | | | the flight and take it for a long walk. It |
| day of the move. If you have to use a pet | | | | would be better if you arrive to the airport |
| care center for the move day. This will serve | | | | early so you have enough time to take care of |
| several purposes:a) - the dog will not feel | | | | your pet according to the airline |
| invaded, threatened by seeing the strange | | | | regulations. When you reserve the flight make |
| people entering its space. This can trigger | | | | sure it has as few stops and transfers as |
| the aggressive behavior and may lead to | | | | possible and try to avoid peak travel |
| accidents if the dog encounters movers; dog | | | | periods. Also when you make your reservation |
| can damage the furniture if it is locked in a | | | | tell the airline directly that you are |
| room. Other dogs may feel frightened and this | | | | traveling with the dog and ask what |
| can lead to runny stomach and accidents of | | | | requirements they have. The law is changing |
| other sort.b) you do not have to tend to him | | | | and airlines often require animals to be |
| while the moving men are around packing your | | | | prepared by professional transport companies |
| household goods and loading the van.c) moving | | | | with all necessary documentations. |
| men will not be distracted or scared to do | | | | |
| their job and this will also result in a | | | | If you are planning to use sedative for your |
| faster and more efficient move. | | | | pet consult your veterinarian to be on the |
| | | | safe side. Generally it is not advised to use |
| If you have no other option - then lock your | | | | sedatives because animals lose balance and |
| dog in a room where it feels comfortable and | | | | control over their bodies what may hurt them |
| make sure the dog has its favorite toys and a | | | | during turbulence or other unstable |
| bed. Try to and make sure the room is empty | | | | conditions of a plane. You get a word about |
| of the boxes and furniture your movers will | | | | using sedatives from American Veterinary |
| need to take. Often dog's anxiety can turn to | | | | Medical Association . |
| aggressiveness to strangers so it might be | | | | |
| even better to put a sign on the door like | | | | At the place you move in, find again the |
| "Dog. Do Not Open." so your pet won't be | | | | small and comfortable room for your dog to |
| disturbed and excited by the sight of the | | | | lock it in while the moving men unload the |
| moving men. | | | | truck. |
| | | | |
| Transporting the dog to a new place can also | | | | Make sure your pet knows where his stuff is: |
| be problematic, unless it is so close so you | | | | bed, crate, litter box, toys, eating area. |
| can walk there. Do not put your dog in the | | | | And don't interrupt the day routine for you |
| back of the truck. When truck body is closed, | | | | dog. Give the dog the water from the previous |
| conditions are very adverse: it is dark, | | | | home, gradually mixing it with the water in |
| noisy and scary. Shipment may shift, boxes | | | | the new one. Leave as little surprises for it |
| and furniture might fall. It is extremely hot | | | | as possible. Get your dog acquainted with the |
| inside in the summer. | | | | new home gradually: don't let it roam around |
| | | | everywhere at once. |
| If you do not have a car - then use a | | | | |
| pet-friendly taxi to get you to the moving | | | | Keep the dog at home for few days for them to |
| destination with a dog. When moving your dog | | | | adapt before letting it out to the street. |
| by car, make sure you prepared a sheet or a | | | | Try not to leave the new home to eat out at |
| blanket for the car seats, paper towels, food | | | | first, do it at home so your pet won't feel |
| and drink if the trip takes more than two | | | | forsaken. |
| hours. If you're traveling far, don't feed | | | | |
| the dog at least 3 hours before the trip and | | | | And, lastly, be human - don't punish your pet |
| don't forget to make stops every 2 hours to | | | | for initial misbehavior, find some way to |
| get some fresh air and drink for you pet. You | | | | reduce their stress. But should your dog |
| can put one of the favorite toys of your dog | | | | leave some "accidents", be quick to get rid |
| in the car for it to relax. Check the pet | | | | of it, so the odor won't attract it again. |
| friendly hotels you can stop at on your way. | | | | |
| | | | Moving pets webpage will help you to get |
| If you are traveling by air, take into | | | | further information on related topic. |