| It's that time again. My husband and I are getting | | | | small friend explore at his/her own pace. Don't force |
| ready to make a move, and already, boxes are | | | | a cat or dog from it's carrier. My sweet Persian took |
| beginning to transform the landscape of our current | | | | almost four hours to emerge from her cat carrier |
| apartment. Old furniture is being taken out, and bags | | | | during our last move. She was frightened, and the |
| and boxes of new housewares are being tucked | | | | carrier felt familiar and safe.Once the actual move has |
| away for future use. All in all, life has a tumultuous | | | | been completed, let your pets explore. They'll give |
| overtone these days.Unfortunately, that holds true | | | | the home a more thorough examination than the |
| for our three cats as well. They sense our | | | | best insurance investigator. And pets do adapt pretty |
| anticipation -- and sometimes, amidst the chaos -- our | | | | quickly. Pretty soon they'll own the place, and they'll |
| agitation. And, like children (and some adults I know), | | | | be showing you around.For outdoor cat owners...A |
| they often act out. It's not even eight o'clock in the | | | | move can be especially tricky when your cat spends |
| morning, and already I've had to break up two minor | | | | a great deal of time outdoors. Before the move, |
| skirmishes. One cat is missing a tiny tuft of hair on his | | | | make sure to keep the cat inside for a few days. |
| cheek, and I'm awakened a dozen times during the | | | | You wouldn't want to get to moving day only to find |
| night because my beloved gray tiger is walking up | | | | that your beloved Fluffy has gone on a three-day |
| and down my back.Moving can be very stressful, and | | | | jaunt.Once you get to your new home, be sure to |
| it's easy enough to overlook our four-legged friends | | | | keep your cat inside for a few days until he or she |
| during the process, but the bottom line is that they | | | | knows with absolute certainty, that this is now home. |
| feel the stress too. Sometimes, they feel it even | | | | Then and only then, let him or her out. It can save |
| more, because they cannot understand what is | | | | you a lot of heartache.And should, by some chance, |
| happening.Having been through this before with three | | | | your cat turn up missing after this, be sure to check |
| cats, I've found that there are ways to make the | | | | your old home.My mother moved way across town a |
| process easier for both animals and the humans that | | | | few years ago with her four cats. The cats rode in |
| they own.Let the adventure begin...Pets in general, | | | | cat carriers the entire way. A few weeks later, one |
| and cats especially, are curious. Every new box that | | | | of the four, Beard, was missing.A few days later, her |
| comes into your home will be an item of great | | | | old landlord called her to tell her that a cat looking |
| interest for your pets, and it's easy to get irritated | | | | suspiciously like Beard, was hanging around the house. |
| when you have to evacuate the furry occupants of | | | | Sure enough, having crossed two major roads, and |
| each box before you can pack it up.Let them | | | | many miles, Beard had found his way back to his old |
| explore. Let them climb in, sniff around, and peer in | | | | haunt.Safety first...Although your pets' comfort -- |
| the boxes as you pack. It's sometimes inconvenient, | | | | physically and emotionally -- is of utmost importance, |
| but not that time-consuming that you can't give them | | | | their safety is vital, and should never be taken for |
| a little leeway.Where's my mousie...Your pets will look | | | | granted.Always look at things with safety in mind for |
| for their beloved toys, so try to wait until just | | | | you, and for your pets.Are boxes piled precariously? |
| before the move to pack their belongings. It'll make | | | | They could fall on your pet. Make sure boxes are |
| your life easier along with theirs. If you've ever | | | | secure and not piled too high. A box dropped on your |
| packed a cat's catnip mouse, then you surely know | | | | foot could hurt, but a box dropped on Kitty or Fido |
| that they'll eat through steel just to get it | | | | could cause serious injury.Make sure pets are not |
| back.Dinner's at 5...Pets like routines, and routines are | | | | underfoot. In the melee of a move, pets are likely to |
| often the last thing on our mind when we're in the | | | | want to shadow you wherever you go. Though you |
| middle of a big move. Sure, you might run out at 9:30 | | | | might be grateful for kitty's company, you wouldn't |
| at night for a pizza without a second thought, but if | | | | want to step on her, so make sure she's safely out |
| your cat is used to dinner at 3:00, then at 3:01, if | | | | of harm's way.Keep household chemicals away from |
| dinner is not served, your life of peace will come to a | | | | your pets. Items that are normally safely out of your |
| grinding halt. This is an undisputable fact.Keeping to | | | | pet's reach are often left lying about during a move. |
| your pets' routine is probably the best -- and easiest | | | | Many chemicals and other inedibles are painfully |
| -- thing you can do to make a move easier for pets. | | | | enticing to a pooch or kitty, so make sure to leave |
| Routines comfort our animal friends, and sometimes | | | | these out of reach.Know where your pets are at all |
| they're a good reminder for us to take a small | | | | times. It's easy for your furry friends to get lost in |
| break.If your dog gets his walk at 5:30, then take a | | | | the move. That's why I recommend reserving a |
| break from packing to walk. It might be just as much | | | | room -- even a small room such as the bathroom -- |
| a break for you as for them.Moving day...Moving day | | | | for your pets. It's the best way of assuring their |
| is always the hardest on all parties involved, and it | | | | safety.And never, ever, open the door to their "safe" |
| can be traumatic on your pets.My best | | | | room while the door to your house is open. It only |
| recommendation is to keep your furry friends as far | | | | takes a second for your pet to be lost forever. Don't |
| removed from the actual action as possible. Reserve | | | | take that chance.Move your pet securely. Don't carry |
| a safe room for your pets. If you are moving on | | | | them in your arms. A dog should be on a leash. Cats |
| your own, then make sure that this is either the last | | | | and other small animals should be in carriers. A |
| -- or the first -- room that you empty. Then don't | | | | frightened animal can easily get away from you no |
| touch it while your pets are there. If you have a | | | | matter how securely you think you're holding |
| moving company coming, then place a large, legible | | | | them.Finally, by all means, do not leave an animal |
| sign on the door to this room saying "DO NOT OPEN: | | | | loose in a car. Even if the animal is used to car rides, |
| PETS INSIDE".Don't take any chances when it comes | | | | in the midst of a move, your pet is sure to be |
| to your animals. It's too easy to lose or injure an | | | | agitated, and can be a danger to him or herself as |
| animal during a move.Make sure they have enough | | | | well as to you.A final note...Most importantly, talk to |
| food and water, and maybe some treats. Surround | | | | your pets. Your voice is their lifeline. Unlike a child, you |
| them with familiar items -- toys and a shirt or blanket | | | | can't explain to a pet what's happening. They'll be |
| with your scent on it will do fine.Time to | | | | confused and frightened during the process of |
| go...Transporting your pets is probably the most | | | | moving, and a soft, soothing tone will be most |
| difficult part. They'll be scared, and often, | | | | welcome to them.Take a few moments here and |
| subsequently, difficult to deal with.Have you ever | | | | there to sit with your pet, while you're packing, |
| tried to put an uncooperative cat in a cat | | | | during the move, and again while you're unpacking. |
| carrier?Don't force them. Pet carriers are the safest, | | | | Pet them, talk to them, comfort them. The contact |
| easiest way to transport an animal -- except maybe | | | | is the best thing you can do to assure a safe and |
| for fish.Keep something familiar in the cat carrier, and | | | | comfortable move for your pets -- and stroking an |
| for a few days prior to the move, keep the carrier | | | | animal is also great for your own frazzled |
| out and open, where your pet can check it out, and | | | | nerves.Don't worry. You can do it. A move with |
| become comfortable with it. Put treats inside, so | | | | animals can be difficult and nervewracking, but far |
| your pet will venture in.Sometimes, if you have two | | | | from impossible. And as with all things animal-related, |
| small animals, it's better to put them in one carrier. | | | | if you are in doubt, ask your veterinarian. He or she |
| Sometimes they feel safer together. There's | | | | can give you the best advice on best taking care of |
| something to be said for feline -- or canine -- moral | | | | your animal in any circumstance.Lisa Koosis is the |
| support, I guess.Your new home...and theirs...When | | | | owner of three cats and has had the distinct pleasure |
| you've arrived at the new home, once again, reserve | | | | of moving with them several times. This article has |
| a room for your pets. Close the door, place a sign on | | | | been submitted in affiliation with which is a site for |
| it. Then just open up your pet carrier and let your | | | | Pet Forums. |