Moving your family to a new home involves much planning and preparation, especially when it comes to the four-legged family members. Most importantly, you should take care of all the details in advance when moving with your pet, to ensure an easier transition for everyone. The most important consideration is how you will be moving your entire family, including your pet. It is always recommended to travel with your pet. However, If you are moving across the country or overseas, this may not be an option. In this case, you may want to look into a pet relocation service.
How to Select a Pet Relocation Company
Since your pet is part of your family, you can’t trust everyone out there to move him cross country when you move. How do you know which companies you can trust? One option is to check with the Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA), a group that provides a network of professionals who transport pets. These people must register with the USDA and follow the rules and regulations set forth by the USDA’s Animal Welfare Act.
When you start to narrow down the options and try to decide which company to work with, you should make a list of questions about the pet relocation processes. The following are some important questions to ask each potential company:
- What are your specific policies and procedures regarding pet transport?
- Do you have a license, and are you insured?
- How long have you been in the pet relocation business?
- When will my pet arrive at our new home?
- How often will you keep me updated during the trip?
- Who will be my contact throughout the entire process?
- What are your fees? Are there additional costs?
- How do you make sure that my pet receives enough food and water?
- What necessities should I pack for my pet?
As you interview the prospective companies, they should be helpful and be able to answer any question that you have. It is also very important to research reviews from previous customers who used their services, and to ask for referrals from pet parents who were satisfied with the service they received. You want to do your due diligence to attain the utmost confidence in the company you choose – after all, they are responsible for your very precious family member.
The Process Can Be Easy
Pet relocation companies handle all of the travel arrangements for you, as they know the best airlines, reliable pickup and delivery services, and the rules and regulations for moving animals. They also keep up with the regulations as they change to make sure they are following proper procedures.
If you are relocating overseas, your destination country will have specific rules regarding how pets are imported and exported. There is usually a hefty amount of paperwork when it comes to pets entering another country, and some countries even require a passport for your pet. Additionally, there may also be periods of quarantine to consider. The pet relocation service should be responsible for ensuring that all of the necessary paperwork is adequately completed, and their professionals will let you know about the country’s quarantine policies as well as other import details.
When Should You Consider Other Options?
If you are on a strict budget, you may find that pet relocation services are quite costly, and it is not so easy on your wallet to get your pet from here to there. On top of paying for the documentation, ground transportation and airline fees, you are still required to pay the company for their time and efforts. This is a big consideration when you are planning a move with your pet.
Additionally, there are some pets that a relocation company will consider to be a risk to move. If your pet is elderly, overly anxious, or has other health issues, he may not be a good candidate for a pet relocation service. Also, pets who are brachycephalic (short muzzled) and may have respiratory issues could potentially become injured under the high stress that a move can bring. You should ask your vet about these potential obstacles if they apply to your pet in order to make the best possible choice for his move.
Moving brings about many challenges, and planning ahead is key. Be a responsible pet parent and make sure that if you plan to use a pet relocation service to move your furry family member, you take the time to investigate thoroughly. In the long run, you and your pet will be happy about the safe journey he took to get to your new home.
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