Moving your Four-Legged friend Your new home wouldn’t be the same without your family pet, yet your family pet might not be the same without some special attention during the stress of moving. Here’s what you can do.

Pets — like people — react to change much the same way humans do, and in some ways, a pet’s needs are not terribly different from those of their owners. When relocating to a new city, the most important thing you can do is to maintain your pet’s routine as much as possible. That means feeding, exercising or playing with your pet at the same times you usually do. But once boxes fill your living space, it may be a good idea to temporarily keep your pet at the house of a familiar (to your pet!) friend, or in a kennel, so it doesn’t become upset and run away.

During this stressful time, special foods can help minimize digestive upsets for a pet that has previously had loose stools when under stress. Use of pheromones might also calm stressed pets.

“You can use a dog-appeasing pheromone in an outlet dispenser for two weeks before and two weeks after the move,” says Wayne Hunthausen, a veterinarian and owner of Westwood Animal Hospital in Westwood, Kan. “There is also a pheromone available for cats. There are no side effects and virtually no odor for human noses.”

Barb Miller of Brookside Pet Concierge adds that use of sedatives might harm your pet, especially on planes. “It used to be that everyone sedated their pets, but some overdosed and actually died. It’s the same thing when humans drink alcohol on a plane and the pressure enhances the effect,” she explains.

There are some human medicines, though, that you can administer to your pet, such as Dramamine to combat motion sickness.

To get your pet ready for a flight, Miller recommends getting your pet used to his carrier so it becomes a familiar, comfortable place when he’s actually in transit. Start a month before your move by keeping treats or a favorite blanket or toy inside.

When making your flight reservations, you can choose to keep your pet under your seat in a carrier, if he meets the weight requirements, or stow him in the cargo compartment. Cargo, versus baggage compartments, are air conditioned and pressurized, which are important features when temperatures are high or low and your plane might be delayed on the runway. You also must have a health certificate from your vet to transport your pet. Usually they’re good for only 30 days.

Putting your pet in an insulated carrier during your move will help minimize the effect of large temperature shifts, especially during plane travel. Direct flights are best and some airlines offer personal hand-carrying services for an additional fee. Be sure to leave instructions on the last time your pet ate or had access to water or a bathroom break.

For those brave enough to drive long distances with a pet, make sure it has access to water and take regular breaks. Never leave an animal in a car in hot weather. If you feel you must leave your pet, you can purchase grills to put up in place of windows so there is air moving through the car. Miller says you can find this product as well as doggy seatbelts, safety harnesses and more on internet catalogs.

Finding a new vet
Before you leave town, it is a good idea to get your pet one last check-up, including vaccinations. If your pet receives medication regularly, make sure you have plenty on hand so you don’t run out before your family settles in its new location. During your last visit, ask for recommendations of veterinarians in the area and get your pet’s medical records so you can hand-deliver them to your new vet.

If your vet has no suggestions, neighbors, coworkers and even people in the local dog park can point you to their own vets. You can also do a Google search using your city’s name and the name of any nearby city.
“Look for a vet in your proximity — as close as possible to your home,” says Lorna Helmig, clinic director for the Greater Kansas City Humane Society. “Then check prices for different services, particularly if money is a factor. Not every vet charges the same.”

Helmig also recommends checking the complete list of services offered by a vet’s office. Not all vet offices do emergency work, surgery, X-rays or grooming, or offer boarding.

Hunthausen suggests you choose and drive to the nearest 24-hour emergency clinic and a boarding facility immediately after your move so finding either one won’t be an issue in an emergency situation. He also recommends an unscheduled visit to the veterinary office without announcing you are looking for a vet. Take your pet with you, and perhaps purchase a new toy or some food. On a separate visit, tour the entire facility with one of the vets. Consider how attentive and friendly the people are. Does the office smell or look dirty? Is it a busy place? Do you feel comfortable with the veterinarian and does your pet seem to like the doctor? Don’t feel bad about going to another vet if the first one doesn’t work.

Rules and regulations
Every city is different, except when requiring current rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats, so check with Animal Control to learn specific regulations regarding licensing, vaccinations, removal of excrement, and the number of pets allowed in each household.
Kansas City, Mo., and Overland Park, Kan., are two of the area’s largest cities. Both require that pet owners pick up pet excrement or face a fine.
Kansas City charges a $7 annual license fee for spayed or neutered dogs and cats and $30 per year for unaltered pets. Overland Park requires licensing for animals that are at least 6 months of age. Charges are $6 for spayed or neutered animals and $10 for unaltered animals.

Identifying your pet
Even with the best preparation, an anxious pet in a new environment may run away. It’s smart to have identification for your pet readily available, including current photos and a written description. Collar tags should provide your address, phone number, a work number and an e-mail address.
For about $40 and a small registration fee, you can also have a microchip implanted under your pet’s skin that will provide identifying information to someone with a scanner. Just make sure the implant can be read by all current microchip readers.