By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
Moving your household can be a difficult task, and it only gets more difficult if you have four-legged friends who are moving with you to Tulsa. If you own dogs, felines, or both, then here are a few, simple items you need to do to have a pet friendly move to Tulsa.Tip #1: Have One, Final Vet Visit
Some pets don't enjoy trips to the vet, but if you're relocating it is imperative to make sure your animals get one, last checkup. This is very critical if you're moving across the country so that you will need to find a new vet, or if an airplane is going to be involved. Make certain you get the pet’s proof of vaccines, medications, and any other paperwork you are going to need. If you delay until you're a long way away from your vet to accomplish this, it can be a big, un-called-for stressor in addition to your move.
Tip #2: Board Your Pets (If You Can)
Boarding may be tough for furry family members who have separation anxiety, but it is often a practical answer in the long-run if you are moving to a new house. If you board your pets for loading day and unloading day then you do not have to fret about them being in the way, there is zero chance of them running away, and you are not constantly looking to see where they are. 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 appreciate routine, and they are sensitive to when it changes. Changes in routine might be a threat, so it has a tendency to induce all kinds of extra worry on your pet’s part. As such, you might try to plan your move to Tulsa so that it disturbs your animals’ routines (as well as your own) as little as possible. Let them get acclimated to what is taking place slowly, and they will adjust much better. Additionally, when you move them, make sure you bring familiarity with them when you can. Favorite treats and pillows can act like a security blanket, and help your pets be calmer throughout the process.
Tip #4: Make Sure Your Pets Are Used to Their Traveling Accommodations
No matter if you have dogs or cats, you don't want to gather them up, throw them in the car, and commence driving one day. You need to take the time to get your animals familiarized with traveling. For instance, if you own a cat, put their carrier on the floor with the door open. Let them get familiarized with it being there, and allow them a little while to explore it. If you have a canine, get them familiarized with a crate, or a kennel. Take them on progressively longer car trips, and get them familiarized with being passengers if possible. The more care you can allow getting your pets on-board with moving (even if they are never really going to like it), the smoother things are going to be.
Tip #5: Identification
Make sure and keep identification on your animals all of the time. If something terrible occurs and your pet gets lost in the craziness of the move, how else will they find their way to your new home? Make sure that their collar is sized correctly and that their tag includes a phone number that won’t be turned off during the move.
Tip #6: Chill Out... Your Pets Are Watching
Moving is an anxious time, there's no doubt about that. Even if everything goes perfectly (which it rarely does), you're going to have times where you just want to lay on the floor and throw a good, old-fashioned temper tantrum. No matter how stressful things get, though, it is crucial for you to not forget that little eyes are watching you, and that you could be startling them.
Your pets are most likely under a lot of stress from the whole move. New things are appearing without explanation, familiar things are going out the door, 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.
