How to Move House with Pets
For Help Moving, Call in the Expert Removalists in Melbourne
October 2017
There are many things to consider when moving to a new house. Deciding on a moving date, choosing a relocation company, arranging the disconnection and reconnection of services, organising the children’s belongings as well as someone to look after them on moving day, the list goes on!
One thing that often gets forgotten until the night before moving day is what to do with the pets. Amongst the chaos of organising your moving day, it can be overwhelming to try and move with your furry friends hanging around your feet, or to move furniture into relocation trucks without your pets escaping out the front gate.
The best option is to have something pre-planned, to keep your pet occupied and out of the way on moving day.
Here’s how to move house with pets:
1. Update their details
Call your vet and update your address in their system, or you may be moving too far away and need to register with a new vet. Also, be sure to call the local council or wherever you register your cat or dog, so that if they go missing, the council will know where you now live and can return your pet safely. If their collar has a tag with your address or phone number on it, be sure to get them a new one with your updated contact details.
2. Wait to wash their bedding
Moving to a new house can be a stressful experience for a pet, so having a sense of familiarity with their bedding is a way to help them settle in. If everything seems too new, including the scent of their bed, they can take longer to get comfortable in their new home. Although it may smell, just hold off for one more week until they are more settled.
3. Take them to their new home before move in day
If you have a dog, take them for a walk around their new neighbourhood a few times before move in day. This will help them get used to their new stomping ground, and become more accustomed to their new environment. If you can, let them explore their new yard to become more familiar with their new home.
4. Organise a pet-sitter for a couple of days
Having someone else look after your pet will be a huge help on moving day. Knowing your pet is being cared for will ease the stress of moving day and help you focus on the task at hand. Choose someone who your pet is already familiar with, so they do not feel stressed being left with them for the day or overnight.
5. Pet proof as much as you can beforehand
Before you welcome your pet into your new home, take all the necessary steps to making your home pet friendly. If there is no cat door, or you need a gate to keep the dog in, try have this organised before your pet comes home so they don’t have to be trapped inside all day.
6. Take your pet out for some exercise
Before you bring your pet back to their new home, take them for a big walk or run. This should minimise the amount of chaos that may ensue! Dogs love exploring new places, and while it is totally acceptable for them to have a sniff around their new home, if the dog has a lot of built up energy, they can end up doing laps around your home for hours on end! This can result in worn out carpets and knocked over valuables, so it’s best to try tire them out beforehand.
7. Ensure their vaccinations are up to date
Make sure they have up to date vaccinations before moving day, particularly if you are moving from an urban area to a rural area or vice versa. This will ensure your pet remains healthy, as well as keeping other pets in the area healthy too. You can check with your vet as to when your pet’s vaccinations will expire.
8. Hire a professional moving company
Many residential relocation companies, including John Ryan Removals, offer a pet valet service alongside their residential relocations offering. As well as assisting in packing, unpacking and relocating your belongings, John Ryan Removals can take care of your pets so you don’t have to lift a finger on moving day. They ensure your pet is comfortable and secure, so you can focus on other moving day related tasks. John Ryan Removals can also assist with interstate and international pet relocations.
John Ryan Removals are your one stop shop for residential relocations, and can also assist with car transport, insurance as well as short and long term storage. As the leader’s in Melbourne relocations for over 40 years, John Ryan Removals are the removalists you can trust. Call John Ryan Removals for a free quote.
To find out more, contact our friendly team or request a free quote.