The following information is from my book,
"Renting with Rex: How You, Your Dog, Your Landlord and
Your Neighbors Can All Thrive in Rental Housing."
Jackie Phillips
https://rentingwithrex.blogspot.com
https://petdetective-thesocialpet.blogspot.com
510/415-6185
Feel free to contact me anytime at the above email address and phone number
“Renting with Rex” is available for purchase directly from the publisher Lulu.com
All text is copyrighted and protected. Any unauthorized use is prohibited.
__________________________________________________________________
Here are some topics that are covered:
1. Preparing a Move with Your Dog
2. Planning a Move
3. Finding a New Place to Live
4. Deciding What Type of Transportation
5. Deciding What Type of Carrier
6. Acclimating Your Pet to the Carrier
7. Using a Harness in the Car
8. Talking to Your Dog's Veterinarian
9. Ordering New ID tags
Preparing a Move with Your Dog
So you have just accepted a great new job with your dream company. However, it is across the country and your starting date is in one month. Or maybe you are simply moving over to the next town with your dog and need to find a new place to live. This chapter covers the basics of making any move easier for you and your pet.
Planning Your Move
Finding a New Place to Live
Your first step in planning your move should be to decide what part of your new town is close to where you will be working, or in which part of town you wish to live. You might want to talk with your new boss to see if he or she has any suggestions for rentals in good locations that accept pets. These decisions will set you on your way toward finding a new place to live in your new location.
Deciding What Type of Transportation
Another important consideration is the kind of transportation that you will use to move. There are many options to think about including using a car, plane, ship or train. You might even choose to drive your own moving van. Of course, the transportation you choose depends on how far you will be moving. Even if you are moving across the country, you may still be thinking about using a car to do so.
Deciding What Type of Carrier to Use
No matter what type of transportation you have chosen for your move, your pet will need to be confined in some type of carrier. If you are shipping your pet in the cargo area of a plane, their regulations are very specific as to what kind of carrier can be used. Make sure you have that information before you go to the pet store. In general, the airline-approved carrier must be just big enough to allow the pet to stand up, turn around and lay back down. The carrier should also have a dish on the inside that clips to the metal door for water. Airline-approved crates for pets traveling in the hold are generally made of heavy high-impact plastic and must be marked with “Live Animal” labels. Each airline has its own regulations, so be certain to check the requirements for your chosen carrier.
All airlines require that animals brought onto planes be inside carriers, even if the pet is small enough to go inside the cabin. If you have a service animal, your pet is able to fly in the cabin without being in a carrier.
A wide variety of underseat carriers are available, from rigid plastic to semi-rigid to soft-sided cloth carriers. The carrier must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, not on the seat next to you. Because the required dimensions of these carriers once again may differ from airline to airline, it is important to check with your carrier prior to attempting to bring your pet on board.
You can go to any pet store in your area before the move and ask the clerk to help you with fitting your pet with a proper carrier. Remember to bring your pet with you so you can try out the different sizes with your dog.
Even if you are driving, it is best to have your pet, especially cats, confined in secure carriers. Never allow any animal to ride loose in a vehicle. Too many cats become lost when they jump outside a car either through an open window or door. Cats and small dogs can wedge themselves behind the gas or brake pedal, while larger dogs can be a distraction if they bark or wish to play. In addition, all animals will be anxious and nervous due to the move and new location, so it is best to keep them in a carrier when inside the car, and on a secure leash when outside, even if your pet has always proved to not take off or wander when off leash. If your pet is not microchipped or tattooed, please be certain to have a sturdy collar with identification securely attached to it on your dog at all times.
When driving your own car, you can choose from the wide variety of carriers available. Some are soft sided, while many are hard material like either high-impact plastic or metal wire. These crates vary in the amount of weight that each can carry. If you think you pet will become anxious and chew on the soft sided crates, then choose either a metal crate or heavy plastic airline-style carrier. Obviously, the soft sided crates weigh less if that is an issue for you.
Acclimating Your Pet to the Carrier
Begin to acclimate your pet to a crate or carrier by feeding him or her inside it. Make the dog’s crate a den, by keeping a favorite toy and soft, clean bedding inside. The crate should be a happy place to be and never used as a punishment. Eventually, your dog will see the crate or carrier as a comfortable safe place, like their own room. By the time you move, the pet will be completely familiar with it, which will help them to make the move easier.
If you will be using your car to move and you have already acclimated your pet to the crate or carrier inside your home, acclimate the dog to the car in the same way. Start by having the dog ride in the carrier for a short drive, perhaps driving around the block to begin. Be certain that you spend enough time on both, since your pet will see the locations of your home and your car as two different things. Gradually increase the time and distance that your dog travels in the car, until you feel comfortable that he or she can make the trip without discomfort.
Using a Harness in a Car
If your dog is still uncomfortable in the crate or it is impossible to use a crate for another reason due to the size of your vehicle, then you might consider using a harness as an alternative method of securing your pet. A harness attaches directly to the seatbelt and physically keeps your dog in a stable spot, preventing him or her from jumping around the car or outside of the vehicle. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use of this restraint.
Talking to your dog’s veterinarian
If you are moving far enough away to need a new veterinarian for your pet, then ask your current vet if they have a referral for a new doctor in your new location. Before you move, have a discussion with your vet about your pet’s needs, particularly if your pet requires prescription medicines, special diets, has allergies or diabetes or is receiving cancer treatment. Your vet will need to transfer your pet’s records to your new vet. Be sure to refill your pet’s prescription prior to leaving so you’ve got an ample supply of medications when you get to your new home, in case the transfer of records takes longer than expected or if the new vet wants to examine your pet before renewing any prescriptions.
If you are moving out of the state or out of the country, then your current vet should provide copies of vaccination records for you to carry with you on your trip. In case you need one, ask your vet to provide you with a health certificate, which states that your pet is free of communicable diseases. You may need to provide a health certificate for each pet to the airlines or to customs or to the border patrol, depending on where you are traveling. A health certificate is only good for a short time, so be certain to schedule your appointment to get it less than a week before you have to travel. Double check with your vet on what they feel your pet may need for their trip.
Order new ID tags
Even if your dog is microchipped or tattooed, you will want your dog to wear a sturdy collar, to which an identification tag has your cell phone or pager number engraved on this tag, in case your dog gets loose during your trip. If you don’t have a cell phone or pager, you might consider engraving the tag with the phone number of a friend or a family member who you know will be at home during your trip. If there is somebody you can count on still at your old address, you can keep your pet’s old tags for the trip. At the same time you order the temporary tags, you can order the permanent tags for the new address, if you know your new street address and phone number. If you do not have a new permanent address or if forwarding your mail will take too much time, you might consider getting a post office box, if one can be set up at a distance to which you can direct your new mail, including your dog’s new tags. Contact the United States Postal Service for information about setting up a post office box at a distance. I know you can put in change of addresses and other similar things on their website.
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