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| Moving with Children and Pets |
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Moving with children and pets can be a challenge. Here are some tips that can help. You know your kids and pets best so read their body language and behavior. The major change of a long distance move is often frightening for children and pets, so you'll want to take special care.
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Children |
Young children tend to cope better with moving than older children. Young children generally do not have a clear concept of time and do not need to be told about the move until they start to notice the activity around them. Once you have told them, they may be a little confused, so answer all of their questions and make it seem like an adventure. There are many children's books available that can help children cope and understand an upcoming move.
Older children may have a harder time adjusting to the move and should be told sooner. They will want to inform friends and have time to adjust to the idea. One worry they may have its whether they will be able to make new friends and fit in at their new school. Older children may want to have a special event like a going away party or sleepover with friends before the move. At the event, have everyone write down their phone number, address, and emails in an address book.
If possible, take your children with you to look for your new home and allow them to decide how their new rooms should be decorated and arranged. This will help them get excited about moving.
To make children feel involved in the move, ask them to label their boxes and pack some of their own toys. Encourage younger children to draw pictures on the boxes that will hold their belongings. Have your children leave our some of their favorite smaller toys and games to pack into a travel kit for move day.
Let your children help you decide what to pack in the moving kit – a box of items you will need for your trip to the new house – essentials you’ll need on move day. Let them help come up with ideas for your “moving kit.” For example: toilet paper, cleaning supplies, paper towels, kitchen items, personal items, etc. In other words, items you will need in your new home until the movers arrive.
Teach your children their new address and phone number.
For long distance moves, identify your current and new location on a map. Trace the route you will take and once you're on your way, show your child where you are, or have them trace the route in a different color.
If you have small children, you might want to have someone watch them the day of the move for safety reasons and for your convenience. There will be a lot going on and nothing to keep them entertained. Many heavy items will be moved and the doors will be opened often.
No matter what age, some children may go through a grieving period. To help them, go for a walk and explore your new neighborhood together, go to your child's new school, and encourage them to keep in touch with old friends. If you move during the school year, look for after-school activities where your children can make new friends. If you move during school break, look for neighborhood activities or sports to get them involved and meeting new friends.
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Pets |
When moving pets, it’s important to make travel arrangements as early as possible. Almost every state has laws governing the entry of dogs, cats, horses, birds, and other pets. Tropical fish are the only exception. It is important to comply with the laws of the state to which you are moving; otherwise, you may be subject to prosecution. A few states have border inspection of all animals being imported; others have random inspection by department of agriculture officials or the state highway patrol; some check interstate health certificates; many states depend on individual compliance with the law; and a number rely on a combination of these methods.
Representatives of the State Department of Agriculture are usually present at airports to inspect any pets arriving by air.
If you are not comfortable moving your pet, ask your veterinarian for help and tips. Some pets actually may need to be tranquilized if you know from experience that they are going to be very frightened. There are also professional pet moving companies. Ask your veterinarian for companies in your area.
Many communities have enacted pet control and licensing ordinances. In most cases, these relate only to dogs, but increasing numbers of cities are applying them to cats as well. Local laws may limit the number of dogs or cats permitted in one household. Most communities prohibit the stabling of horses, ponies and other livestock within city limits. Where permitted, minimum distance from the barn to you and your neighbors' houses may be specified, as well as size of pasture required. You may have to stable your animal(s) outside the city limits.
Obtain your pets health records from your veterinarian; you may be asked to show them at anytime. Interstate health certificates must accompany dogs and horses entering nearly all states, and some states have the same requirements for cats, birds and other pets. In some cases, advance receipt of the health certificate by the destination state's regulatory agency is a prerequisite to entry of the pet. The health certificate must include a complete description of the pet, list all inoculations, and state that it is free from infectious diseases.
Have your pet examined by your veterinarian well in advance of your departure date so there will be time for any treatment or inoculations recommended. Another examination just prior to departure may be needed.
Some pets must have entry permits issued by the destination state's regulatory agency. Either you or your veterinarian may apply for the permit, for which there may be a charge. Receipt of an interstate health certificate from the state of origin may be requisite to issuance of the permit.
Pets will probably be frightened and confused, so you need to maintain as close to normal an environment as you can. If possible, arrange for your pets to stay in a kennel, or with a friend or family member until you are ready to leave for your new house. If that's not possible, put them in a small room with a sign that reads, “Pets Inside. Do Not Open Door.”
Leave food, water, a few toys, their bed and a litter box for cats. Make sure to check on them regularly and take dogs out to avoid messy accidents. Put dogs in the backyard only if you know no one will be going back there and the weather conditions are good. Be sure to put a sign on the back door and fence gate indicating that there are animals in the backyard. If you have a kennel area in your backyard, put your dogs there only if it you can be sure no one will be entering it unawares. Make sure to leave your pets plenty of food and water and check on them regularly.
If you have not already placed identification tags on your pets, please do so now just in case they are let out. Microchip implants are the newest form of pet identification – not to replace the collar, but as added security that a lost pet will be returned.
If your pet is lost, a vet or animal control person can wave a wand over your pet to check for the microchip which gives them your contact information. All but four states require dogs to have a rabies inoculation, and a number have the same regulation for cats. State and local laws usually stipulate that the rabies tag be securely attached to the pet's collar.
Pet Travel Kit
- Pet's regular food
- Can opener (if needed)
- Pet's dishes
- Carrier
- Leash
- Blanket
- Favorite toy or two
- Any prescriptions
- A sedative prescribed by your veterinarian
- Scooper and plastic bags to clean up after your pet
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