While planning your move, don’t forget to include your pets.  Moving can be stressful and even dangerous for pets if their interests are not taken into consideration.

Planning
- If you are moving for company relocation or a new job, find out what pet moving costs the company is willing to cover.

- Check vaccination records to ensure your pet’s immunizations are up to date.  Obtain veterinary records and keep them with you on moving day. Have any required vaccinations done and prescriptions refilled, so you don’t have to worry about it upon arrival at your new home.

- If traveling by air, it is always best to book pets on a direct flight.  Note that airlines do have requirements and restrictions for pets; some of these may change during peak travel times and when ground temperatures are above 85 or below 45 degrees F.  Make reservations a minimum of two weeks in advance for domestic travel and four weeks for international travel.

- If you will be traveling by car, find out which hotels along the way accept pets and make reservations.

- Order ID tags with your new address on them.

Moving Day
- Find a quiet and familiar place for your pet to wait as you prepare to leave.

- Ship pets in a roomy carrier that is at least large enough for the animal to stand and turn around.

- Ensure that your pets will have water available during travel.  If the trip is to be longer than eight hours, they should also have food.  It is best, however, that the amount of food is cut back several hours prior to the trip.

- Keep animals in their travel cages or on leashes while in the car.  Dogs and cats should be allowed regular comfort and exercise stops along the way.

Arrival
- Giving pets their old toys, beds and bowls as soon as possible, will help them to quickly adjust to the new home.

- Get recommendations from co-workers or neighbors for a new veterinarian.

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