By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
Moving your household is a tough task, and it only gets tougher if you have furry family members who are coming with you to Austin. If you own dogs, felines, or both, then here are a couple, simple items you should do to make the moving process easier on them, and on yourself to Austin.Tip #1: Have One, Final Vet Visit
Some pets don't enjoy visits to the vet, but if you're relocating it is imperative to make sure your animals get one, final exam. This is doubly vital if you are moving out of state so that you'll need to get a new veterinarian, or if a plane trip will be required to get to your new home state. Make positive you get proof of vaccinations, medications, and any other paperwork you're going to need. If you procrastinate until you're far away from your vet to accomplish this, it can be a huge, un-called-for stressor in addition to your move.
Tip #2: Board Your Pets (If You Can)
Boarding can be tough for furry family members who have separation anxiety, but it is lots of times a practical answer in the long-run if you're moving to a new house. If you board your furry friends for moving day then you do not have to fret about them being in the way, there's zero chance of them running out of the yard, and you are not constantly looking for them. It saves time, stress, and risk, which can help your move go with less worry.
Tip #3: Preserve as Much Routine as Possible
Our pets thrive on routine, and they could be nervous when it is different from normal. Changes in routine could be viewed as a danger, so it tends to create all kinds of extra anxiety on your pet’s part. Therefore, you should attempt to organize your move to Austin so that it disrupts your furry family members’ routines (as well as your own) as little as possible. Let them get acclimated to what is taking place slowly, and they will react much better. Also, when you move them, be sure you bring the things they know and love with them when you can. Favorite toys and bedding can act like a security blanket, and help your pets stay calmer throughout the move.
Tip #4: Make Sure Your Pets Are Comfortable With Their Traveling Accommodations
No matter if you own dogs or cats, you don't want to gather them up, throw them in the car, and begin driving one day. You need to allow the time to get your cats and dogs accustomed to traveling. For example, if you own a cat, put their crate on the floor with the door open. Let them get accustomed to it being there, and give them an opportunity to explore it. If you have a canine, get them used to a crate, or a kennel. Take them on progressively longer car trips, and get them accustomed to being passengers if you can. The more care you can take getting your pets on-board with moving (even if they're never really going to like it), the smoother things are going to be.
Tip #5: Identification
Make sure and keep identification on your furry family member all of the time. If the unthinkable happens and your pet gets lost in the shuffle of the move, how else will they find you, their beloved owner? Make sure that their collar is sized correctly and that their tag includes a phone number that will not be disconnected during the move.
Tip #6: Chill Out... Your Pets Are Watching
Moving is full of stress, there is no two-ways about that. Even if everything goes perfectly (which it rarely does), you're going to have days where you just want to lay on the floor and pitch a good, old-fashioned tantrum. No matter how stressful things get, though, it is vital for you to remember that little eyes are taking it all in, and that you might be scaring them.
Your furry family members are already under a lot of stress from the whole move. New things are appearing without explanation, familiar stuff is going away, and there are new people showing up all the time. So, take a moment, take a breath, and remember that your pets need you to be collected and reassuring for them. Otherwise it might tip them over the edge of the stress meter.
