Harley McGuire, SedonaEye.com star pet columnist gives his pals tips for stress free Happy Moving Days!

Sedona AZ (May 10, 2014) – Movin’ to a new home can be just as stressful on the family pet as it is on you, writes Harley McGuire, SedonaEye.com Star Four Paws Up Pet Columnist.

He adds, “Below are some tips to keep my pals happy and safe when movin’!”

Now here’s Harley with tips for the actual moving day and arrival at a new home:

Pre-Move Preparation

Pet Laws and Regulations: Become familiar with the state/province leash laws, pet ordinances, and pet licensing requirements. For state/province laws, contact the State Department of Agriculture or State Veterinarian’s office. For local ordinances, contact the City Clerks’ office, local humane organization, or animal control facility in the area in which you’ll be relocating.

If you are planning to rent a house or apartment, be sure to carefully review the lease to ensure that pets are allowed. Most rentals require a pet deposit and have rules and regulations about the size and breed of pals allowed. 

Talk To Your Pet’s Vet: Talk to your veterinarian about traveling with my pal. Vets can recommend behavior modification tactics or medication that might lessen the stress of travel. Depending on your new address, my pals may need additional vaccinations, medications, and health certificates. Be sure to get a copy of all medical records for the new vet!

Secure a New Vet: It’s important to have a new veterinarian lined up before you move. Ask your current vet for a referral or research new veterinarian online.

New Identification Tag: Get a new pet ID tag that includes your pet’s name, your name, new address and telephone number. An up-to-date ID tag is a lost pal’s ticket home!

Maintain Normal Routine: Pack over a period of time and try to maintain your pet’s normal routine. Advance planning will make any move less stressful.

Harley McGuire and Red Rose Inspiration say “Drive safely out there!”

Pet Restraint for Car Travel: How are you going to properly restrain my pals in your vehicle? This is a crucial element of pet travel that is not taken seriously enough.

The reality is that hundreds of my pals are injured or even killed each year because they are allowed free reign in cars, trucks, RVs, and SUVs! Even more real is the toll in human life and property damage caused when an “enthusiastic” pals distracts a driver, leading to an accident!

Vehicle pet barriers, pet seat belts, pet car seats, and pet travel crates are all excellent ways to keep my pals (and you) safe while traveling in a vehicle. It’s important to familiarize my pals with the vehicle restraint of choice (weeks or months) before traveling!

Secure Pet Friendly Accommodations in advance: If you need to make overnight stops along the way, be sure to secure accommodations before you hit the road. Pet policies do change without notice and accommodations may be hard to find or limited so “book” your pet friendly lodging in advance.

Plan Ahead for Air Travel: Check with your veterinarian and the airline if my pals will be flying.

Moving Day

Keep Your Pet Secure: Place my pals in a safe, quiet place, such as the bathroom or pet carrier on moving day. (Containing pets in a pet carrier on moving day will keep them safe.) Remember, get my pals used to the carrier ahead of time by spending a little time in it prior to moving day!

Another option is to have my pals stay with a friend or their favorite doggy day care on moving day.

Check on Pets Regularly: Check on my pals throughout the day. Be sure to maintain their regular feeding, walking, and potty break schedule!

Your New Home

Prepare Your New Home: Pets love familiar surroundings so be sure to take with you all the familiar and necessary things my pals need from day one in your new home!

Keep Them Leashed: Even pets that are excellent under voice control can be easily distracted in a new environment. Therefore, make sure that my pals are leashed when not in the house or yard until they become comfortable with their new surroundings.

Inoch of Sedona

Secure Pet During Move-In: It would be ideal to have your belongings moved into your new home before your pet arrives, however, this isn’t always realistic. If this not doable, follow the same procedures employed on move-out day; place your pet in a safe, quiet place, such as the bathroom or pet carrier on moving day so that he or she cannot escape; if you place your pet in a room, place a large sign on the door that says “Do Not Enter.”

Containing your pet in a pet carrier on moving day will keep them safely confined as well. And again, be sure to maintain their regular feeding, walking, and potty break schedule.

Pet Photo: Have a recent photo of Harley McGuire’s pal on hand in the unfortunate event that your pet runs off while moving! Send a copy to Harley McGuire at Editor@SedonaEye.com and Harley will post a Please Help Find notice in his column!

SedonaEye.com star columnist Harley McGuire’s pal, Kim Salerno, is the founder of the helpful pet travel website, TripsWithPets.com. She founded the site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Her mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy, and safe in their travels so check out her information online.

Harley’s mom says, “The Memorial Weekend is a busy travel weekend with many of Harley McGuire’s pals and families on the road. Please drive and arrive safely! Harley McGuire loves you!”

For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!