Metro Phoenix Relocation Guide 2008 - (Page 76) The Move same considerations given children apply to pets. Give them plenty of breaks. Anticipate thirst with conveniently carried water or chopped ice. Exercise your pet at the beginning of each day of travel, allowing enough time for the emptying of bladder and bowels. Restrict food intake to half portions at the end of the day. When stopping to eat, leaving the pet in a closed car is dangerous as heat prostration can happen very rapidly. This problem can be handled by eating in shifts, leaving someone to tend to the pet. In making rest stops, go off the expressway to avoid the possibility of your pet contracting Parvo disease, a serious intestinal canine disorder, transmitted by dog stool. Check ahead with hotels or motels regarding any pet restrictions for overnight stays. Have correct documentation for air travel - certificates of vaccinations and medical checkups, and a medical history summary. Interstate certificates may be required by some carriers. A Few last words of advice If there were pets in the house before, you may want to fumigate to fend off possible parasitic and odor problems by having a carpet cleaning company clean the carpets with an odor neutralizer prior to your moving in. Keep in mind that a change in water with different mineral content could affect your pet. What to do for your pets once you get to your new home Make the transition smooth by helping to re-establish your pet’s habits. You can expect some different behavior patterns like aggressive acts or accidents in the house when the pet experiences a change in its normal activities. You might want to temporarily confine your dog to a smaller room, or cage to prevent accidents that can occur. For cats, reintroduce them to the litter box with placement of several throughout the new house for a week or so, then gradually withdraw them. With any aged pet, going to the bathroom in the house might become a problem. Pets are creatures of habit and changes can cause anxiety From the animal’s standpoint, is there easy access to the bathroom area outside, is the yard fenced, is the litterbox in an accessible location. When outside, walk your pets along the property line, get them used to their new territory, and consider having a fence installed before you move in. Packing Tips The well-equipped moving company will transport the contents of your house without the slightest bother or help from you. However, you can save several hundred dollars on the average truckload if you do the packing yourself. After donating the things you can live without to charity or holding a garage sale, here are handy hints: • When gathering empty boxes from your local supermarket, look for smaller ones that you can lift easily even when full of books. The sturdier the better. • Make full use of drawers, suitcases, the space in your refrigerator or old purses as packing containers. However, do not overload drawers with heavy items because this can damage the furniture during transit. • Compartmented cartons (such as liquor comes in) are ideal for glassware and small knickknacks. • Ask variety or dry goods store owners for cardboard tubes. Use these for wall hanging posters, curtain rods, etc. • Wrap all breakable dishes separately (first in tissue, then newsprint; ink from papers may stain fine china) and use washcloths or aprons to fill up the empty spaces. • When packing odd items (tools, heavy pans, sports equipment), put the things that weigh most at the bottom for better balance. • Throw rugs and towels make excellent padding for fragile items. • Pack similar items together. • Pin or otherwise secure clothing on hangers to be moved in wardrobes so that vibration or bumps will not cause them to slip off. What to do if you fly Plane travel may mean some type of tranquilization for your pet. Animals should not be fed before the flight, but should be given plenty of water. Arrange to have access to the baggage compartment to be able to provide your pet with exercise and water during layovers. Check ahead of flight time as some airlines allow one small pet per plane to be stored under a seat. When traveling, some of the same considerations given children apply to pets 76 Relocation Guide™
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