Pets can have just as difficult of a time as children during the moving process. Stick to your pet’s routine. If this is not done problems can occur such as illness, disobedience and behavioral changes.

Before moving day schedule a visit to your veterinarian for a routine exam. Make sure all vaccines are up to date and get plenty of medication if necessary for the move and the time it will take to get you settled in your new home. Get copies of your pet’s medical records as well as a rabies certificate to give to the new veterinarian. Ask your veterinarian if it is possible to give your pet a mild sedative for the move if you feel the process may cause too much stress on your pet. Consult with your veterinarian as to the best way to handle the move with your pet as well as things to consider.

Update your pet’s ID tags with the new phone number and address. A collar with ID tags should be on your pet at all times during the move. Keep recent photos, the pet’s medical records, leash, toys, vet’s phone number, plastic bags to pick up waste, blanket or bed and food and water in your vehicle during the move if transported by car. Make sure to stop frequently for your pet. At that time give your pet some exercise as well as some food and water.

If you pet will be traveling by plane try to schedule a direct flight to prevent long periods of time in a crate. Use an airline that will have an employee carry the pet on and off the plane.

On moving day keep pets isolated in one room with their toys, food and water. Put a note on the door for people not to disturb the room. Check on your pets frequently and be sensitive to their needs and insecurities.

2-4 Weeks Before Moving Day

• Get the necessary moving supplies and start packing the items that are rarely used.
• Call the local utility companies and schedule the transfer of utilities or disconnection dates.
• Fill out a change of address form and give friends and family the new address as well as: schools, banks, doctors/dentists, phone company, loans, churches, credit cards, insurance, social security, attorney, accountant, etc.
• Prepare important documents such as birth certificates, financial documents, etc. and keep them in a safe place.
• Schedule your new phone service at the new home.
• Confirm arrangements for your children and/or pets for moving day.
• Clean out the refrigerator and use all perishable items that cannot be moved.
• Transfer or discontinue the newspaper and magazine subscriptions.
• Create driving directions for the moving company.
• If you have a safe deposit box remember to remove all items and cancel the box.
• All oil and gas should be removed from equipment or tools such as lawn mowers.
• If you are traveling a long distance get the vehicle you will be driving serviced.
• Confirm the move time with the moving company or rental truck.
• Determine how the apartment or home you are leaving will be cleaned for the new occupant and make the arrangements.

6-8 Weeks Before Moving Day

• Clean out all of the typical storage areas, garage, storage shed, basement and attic.
• Create a file for all moving documentation to keep in one location.
• Make arrangements to have your children’s school records sent to the new school.
• Contact your insurance company to notify them of the move.
• If you are currently renting verify with the landlord when he/she needs notice of your move to make sure you have enough time to give notice.
• Start comparison shopping for a moving company or moving truck. Check their pricing as well as availability for the date you are planning the move.
• Start organizing and removing all items you do not intend to keep or use. You can organize a garage sale, donate items to charity, give items to friends or throw things away.
• Get copies of all records you will need from you attorney, doctor, school, veterinarian, etc.
• Cancel any clubs or memberships you will no loner need at the new home that cannot be transferred.

Moving from one home to anther requires planning, work, and knowledge. Moving your food items to your new home requires these things, as well as a little sacrifice sometimes.

If moving long distance, a lot of your refrigerated or frozen items may not survive the trip, so don’t plan on bringing them. If you can’t take them with you, consider donating them to a local soup kitchen, which will put it to a good use.

Of the food items you do bring along with you on your move, ensure that all containers are securely closed. Use tape to secure those shifty containers.

Most moving companies will not move your perishable food items for you, due both to accountability and a law against it in most places. For this reason, your food items will have to be moved with you in your car or truck.

Moving day is full of dilemmas that you must come up with solutions to. One of the most common dilemmas is how to transport your vehicle from your old home to your new one when moving. Several options are available to you, and we will briefly discuss some of them here.

The only real time when moving your vehicle becomes a concern is during a long distance move. If you must rent a moving truck, then that leaves you with the problem of how you will get your car or truck to your new home without making another trip. During long distance moves, a second trip is often not feasible.

One of the most common methods of transporting your vehicle along with the moving truck is to have a second person drive the vehicle for you. However, if you have nobody making the move with you, or if there are more vehicles than licensed adult drivers who are moving, then this will not work.

Moving live plants can be a challenging process. Live plants are typically difficult to pack and protect during the moving process. In fact, there is even a law which prohibits moving a plant in a moving truck or van.

For these reasons, the best way to move your live plants is in the vehicle that you are driving. Keeping your plants in the car or the cab of your truck has several benefits. It allows you to keep track of your plants health and protection during transport.

Additionally, many plants will not survive a move in the back of a moving truck due to lack of light, water, temperature changes or other conditions that might shock the plant and cause it to die or become damaged.

It is a good idea to support large plants with a post or stick in order to protect the plant’s stem structure. Also don’t forget to protect the plants pot/vase, especially if made from a fragile material.