There are so many things to keep in mind when you’re planning to relocate to a new house, it is easy to forget to plan for the care of your pets. While an in-town move can make an animal care as simple as a ride in the back seat, a long distance move introduces a range of problems. Fortunately these can all be avoided with a bit of thinking. Here are my suggestions based on the experience of several moves across the U.S.

The first problems appear before you even start! Things can be hectic during a move, with stacks of boxes and disassembled furniture throughout the home. These piles are tempting for a pet to sniff around, so take care to keep stacks of boxes low enough to be stable (no more than three standard banker’s boxes high) and avoid balancing objects on the ledge of countertops where a curious dog snout could knock them over.

If your pet is an escape artist (which is certainly the case with Sparky), make sure any movers or friends know to keep an eye on them to keep him from sneaking out a door that is propped open. Better yet, set up a place for your pet in a room that has already been cleared and close the door before you even go to the truck rental place. That will keep them in the house and out from under your feet.

As you load your moving truck rental, remember to set aside some food, water, waste bags, and leash, then load them toward the end so it is in an easily accessible place. That way you don’t have to dig through half the truck to feed the dog when you stop. This leads us to our next topic: planning stops.

You will be making three types of stops during a long-distance move: gas, food, and lodging. It is fairly easy to find a pet-friendly gas station, i.e. one where there is a nearby planting strip for him to sniff around. Plan dining stops in areas where you can either bring your pet and sit outside, or park your automobile in an area where you can see each other. Lodging can be the trickiest part. There are plenty of pet-friendly lodgings, but it is a lot simpler to find them ahead of time than when you’re on the road, so save some trouble and call ahead.

Try to remember these tips when moving with furry friends:
1) Make sure they are shut in a bedroom (or crate) before you begin loading the truck rentals for moving.
2) Pack food and water so that’s easilyquickly within reach when you stop.
3) Plan stops that work for walks.
4) Eat outside or with a line of sight to your automobile
5) Arrange pet-friendly lodging if you are driving for more than one day.

Share This

Share This