Make Your Washington DC Move Stress-Free for you and Your Pet
Moving is a particularly hard time not only for you and your family but also for your pets who haven’t ventured far from the comfortable and familiar confines of your home. It is not only you and your family who should prepare for your Washington DC move. Your pet should also be prepared for the move so that it will be less stressful for your pet while on transit and when it adjusts to your new place. You've asked your DC Movers if they can move your pets, and most of the movers Washington DC residents most highly recommend have answered that they can't move your pets. No worries. You can handle this aspect of your move, and now you're researching how to make this transition as easy as possible for your pets.
A drastic change in the environment and what’s familiar to your pet can lead to changes in your pet’s behavior including changing from a docile and friendly family pet to an aggressive and hard to handle animal.
Fortunately, you can make your Washington D.C. move easier for your pet and yourself. Here are some moving tips which can make your pet’s journey into your new home a much easier and hassle-free experience.
Preparing for the Move
Once you make the decision to move to your new Washington D.C. home, you need to take into consideration whether your new neighborhood has strict regulations regarding pets. There are certain localities where you need to get a permit or have your pet registered.
Before the move, a visit to your veterinarian is very important to make sure that your pet is fit for the rigors of moving. Determine whether all vaccination shots are up-to-date. Don’t forget to ask for a copy of your pet’s veterinary records because you will need to furnish a copy to your new veterinarian. If possible, get a recommendation from your old veterinarian for colleagues who are practicing near your new Washington D.C. address.
Your pet should be wearing licensed tags and proper identification tags as an added measure in case they will get lost. The tag should contain your new Washington D.C. address and your contact numbers. If you had your pet implanted with an identification chip, don’t forget to have your contact information updated.
Preparing a Pet Pack
If you are bringing your pet by car on moving day, get ready with a pet pack that will surely come in handy while traveling. These are the things that you should prepare for the pet pack:
- Old blanket or bed sheet – to protect the upholstery of your car
- Your pet’s favorite toy and something that has your scent on it such as an old shirt or rag
- A container filled with fresh water and another for food and treats.
- Pet medications
- Paper towels, plastic bags, sponge
Some pet owners choose to hire the services of a pet transporter. They are professionally equipped with every phase of the moving process of your pet from your old home to your new place.
If your Washington D.C. move requires making an overnight stop, don’t forget to call hotels while you are still planning your move so that you will be able to make reservations in a hotel that allows pets to stay.
If you are moving to another state, it is important that you communicate with the state veterinarian or State Department of Animal Husbandry and ask about laws or provisions regarding the entry and transport of animals.
If you are moving your pet fish, pay your local Pet and Fish Shop a visit because they are the best source of information regarding containers that you can place your fish when for safe transport.
On Moving Day
Before embarking on your trip, your dog should be taken for a long walk. You should be carrying a health certificate which is signed by your by your veterinarian. This will be your proof that your pet is fit to travel to another place.
On moving day, make sure that your pet is not subjected to unnecessary stress. It is best that your pet be transported in your car on your way to your new place. Keep an eye on your pet because it may become panicky because of all the activity and unfamiliar people around. It is sound advice to keep them in a quiet room while the movers are working. Your pet must have plenty of clean water and toys to keep it engaged before the move.
Many pets get car-sick when traveling. You need to make several stops on the way to your new place to answer the call of nature on your pet. If your pet includes birds, hamsters or guinea pigs, you can keep them quiet and calm by placing a cloth over their cage. It is not a good idea to give too much food to your pet before the trip.
In Your New Home
Once you have arrived at your new Washington D.C. home, just like you, your pets need time to adjust to the neighborhood where everything is unfamiliar and new. It is best that you keep them inside and not let them roam the neighborhood freely or else they might get lost because they don’t know yet where their new home is.
Don’t forget that your cat should be kept indoors for at least twenty-four hours so that it will be become accustomed to its new home.
Your pet needs sufficient time for recovery from the stress of the trip and transferring to a new home. Just like you, your pet needs time to recover and undergo a period of adjustment. This is a very important phase of your Washington D.C. moving process and one that should not be taken for granted.
