Moving With Pets: Planning Checklist

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

18 Sep 2006 02:18 PM

Planning is the key to an easy move. The more time out from your move you can make your plans, the better off you'll be. This checklist can help make your move go more smoothly.

1. Schedule a visit with your veterinarian, both for a general check-up and to get copies of your pets' records.
2. You may also need a follow-up veterinarian visit immediately before departure.
3. You may need travel health documents. Most states can require an interstate travel document for dogs and horses; many also require documents for cats, birds, and other pets.
4. Check your new state and town's regulations on pets. You may need a special license; some exotic pets may not be permitted. Your new home town may have restrictions on what type and how many pets you may have. For livestock, your town may not allow stabling within city limits; pasture sizes may also be specified by law. Contact your new town for information about license fees and the amount of time you'll have before you are required to obtain a license for your pet.
5. Get a travel ID tag for each pet. Include your cell phone number and your destination address in case your pet becomes lost. You should also include the name and contact information for someone else who can be contacted in case your pets get lost.
6. Make sure your pets have all been vaccinated against rabies and wear rabies tags on their collars at all times. Only four states in the country do not require rabies inoculation for dogs and cats.
7. Decide how your pets will be transported. Pets cannot be moved in a moving van. You must either transport your pets in your own motor vehicle or by air -- smaller pets may travel with you in the cabin; larger pets must fly in appropriate containers as cargo.

For the day of departure, designate one family member to be in charge of making sure each pet has the correct collar and tags. Keep travel documents and license information handy.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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