Moving house
Keep a pet out of moving-day traffic
Moving day means open doors, loud noise and strangers, and that's when pets slip out. Decide who's responsible for the animal, set up a closed room or another place for them to stay, and pack their supplies separately. Health questions go to your veterinarian.
A text to start with
We're moving across town on [date] with a nervous cat. The movers arrive at 8 a.m. and should finish by early afternoon. My neighbor [name] could keep her for the day, or I could close her in the bathroom. Help me compare those options, write a short note for the movers, and list what goes in the cat's bag. Also give me questions to ask the vet about the car ride.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.Who's watching, and when
A plan needs one named person in charge of the pet for every hour of the move, including the drive and the first hours at the new place. If it relies on a closed room, there should be a sign on the door and a note telling movers that room is off limits. Check that the supply list covers food, water, litter or a leash, and ID. Calming products, sedation and travel health are decisions for your vet, so the reply should frame them as questions to bring to the appointment.
Lock in the caretaker
Confirm the arrangement with your caretaker in writing and share the timing. Tape the sign to the door the night before. Call your veterinarian with your questions about the car ride. If your address or phone number is changing, update the details on your pet's ID tag and with your microchip registry.