By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
Moving your household can be a difficult process, and it only gets more difficult if you have four-legged friends who are moving with you to Little Rock. If you have dogs, felines, or both, then here are a couple, easy tasks you should do to have a pet friendly move to Little Rock.Tip #1: Have One, Final Vet Visit
Some pets do not relish in going to the vet, but if you're moving it's imperative to make sure your animals get one, last exam. This is super vital if you're moving far enough away that you will have to get a new veterinarian, or if a plane trip will be required to get to your new home state. Be positive you get the pet’s vaccine records, medications, and any other paperwork you're going to need. If you delay until you are a long way away from your vet to accomplish this, it can be a large, unwanted headache in addition to your move.
Tip #2: Board Your Pets (If You Can)
Boarding might be rough on pets who have separation anxiety, but it's often a better answer in the long-run if you're moving to a new residence. If you board your pets for loading day and unloading day then you do not have to be anxious about them being bothersome, there's no chance of them running out of the yard, and you are not constantly looking for them. It saves time, stress, and risk, which can help your move go much more calmly.
Tip #3: Preserve as Much Routine as Possible
Our pets like routine, and they are sensitive to when it isn’t what they expect. Changes in routine could be viewed as a threat, so it has a tendency to result in all kinds of extra stress on your pet’s part. So, you could attempt to organize your move to Little Rock so that it disturbs your animals’ routines (as well as your own) as little as possible. Allow them to get used to what is happening slowly, and they will adjust much better. Additionally, when you move them, be sure you bring familiarity with them when you can. Favorite toys and bedding can act like a security blanket, and help your pets be calmer throughout the process.
Tip #4: Make Sure Your Pets Are Comfortable With Their Traveling Accommodations
Regardless if you have dogs or cats, you don't want to pick them up, throw them in the car, and begin driving one day. You need to take the time to get your animals familiarized with traveling. For example, if you have a feline, place their carrying case on the floor with the door open. Let them get familiarized with it being there, and allow them a chance to explore it. If you own a dog, get them accustomed to a crate, or a kennel. Take them on progressively longer car rides, and get them accustomed to being passengers if possible. The more care you can take getting your pets on-board with moving (even if they're not ever really going to like it), the simpler things are going to be.
Tip #5: Identification
Make sure and keep identification on your pet all of the time. If the unthinkable happens and your pet is lost in the craziness of the move, how else will they find their way back to you? Make sure that their collar fits correctly and that their tag includes a phone number that will not be turned off during the move.
Tip #6: Chill Out... Your Pets Are Watching
Moving is an anxious time, there is no two-ways about that. Even if everything goes without a hitch (which it hardly ever does), you are going to have days where you just want to lay on the floor and throw a good, old-fashioned tantrum. No matter how stressful things get, though, it is important for you to remember that little eyes are taking it all in, and that you may be startling them.
Your furry friends are likely under a lot of stress from the whole moving process. New things are appearing without explanation, familiar stuff is going away, and there are strangers showing up all the time. So, take a moment, take a breath, and remember that your pets need you to be calm and reassuring for them. Otherwise it might tip them over the edge of the stress meter.
