Moving With
Less Stress for Your Pets
Port Aransas, TX. - Anyone who has ever moved knows that there are seemingly a million and one tasks to remember, from selecting a moving company to switching off utilities. All of the adjustments and changes involved in moving to a new home can be even more challenging when you have a pet. But there are ways to prepare to minimize the stress to your furred, feathered and finned friends.
The
preparation process can be as crucial a stage as the move itself – familiar
settings are disrupted as furniture gets moved and belongings packed away. A
cat or dog will wonder who all these strangers are (potential buyers,
inspectors, movers, etc.) and what’s happening to the pet’s familiar “territory”
(changed location of litter boxes, favorite sleeping places, etc.) – which is
how an animal sees your home.
For
that reason, it’s actually a good idea to change the “landscape” a little more
– on the animal’s behalf. Designate a room to remain just for your pet while
the move proceeds around them, with their familiar toys, food and water bowls,
sandbox (for cats), and so forth. This way they’ll have a reassuring (if
rearranged) space to spend the moving process in. It will also minimize the
chance of escape by anxious animals while people are coming and going from your
house more than usual, and reduce the danger of a scared cat hiding itself in
the moving boxes with potentially tragic results.
Such
precautions help calm your pet for the developments ahead – the move itself is
stressful for pets and people alike, though this too can be minimized. If
you’re flying, check ahead to see which airlines allow pets as “carry-ons.” The
cargo bay is a possibility, but will isolate and possibly frighten your pet. In
either case, anxiety and exposure to the elements will be lessened if you can
book a direct flight.
If
you drive, make sure you know where to find hotels that allow pets rather than
leaving them in the vehicle (never a good idea in terms of safety or exposure
to changing temperatures), and, especially with a dog, schedule frequent “rest
stops” for both animal and owner. For birds, rodents and fish, “homes away from
home” can work well – transport your bird or hamster in its cage, and your fish
in a plastic container of water, roomy enough for the number of fish and
changed regularly for long trips.
It’s
always a useful idea to consult a veterinarian for all the fine points, and a
qualified real estate professional to help with all the questions a house-move
poses; pet-compatible services are one of many matters a real estate sales
associate can look into for you. With some advance planning and help from local
experts, Fido’s longest walk can have a happy destination.
Jannine
is one of more than 40,000 members of the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council
(REBAC) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, who have attained the
Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation. The Accredited Buyer’s
Representative (ABR®) designation is designed for real estate buyer agents who
focus on working directly with buyer-clients.
Having an ABR® can guide you through structuring your offer and
negotiation strategy.
To receive a free copy of the REBAC-published
“Homebuyer’s Toolkit,” call (361)688-0067.
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