A Pet Owner’s Guide to Moving
A new home can give you and your pet more space to relax and enjoy life. Whether you’ve got a frisky feline or a playful pup, you want to make sure you get a property that’s right for you and your furry friend. This guide from Easy Eagles and Elder Action provides pointers and resources to help make hunting for your next home, moving, and settling in a breeze
Find a Home That’s a Good Fit for You and Your Pet
Try these tips to find a house that’s right for both of you.
- Look for traits that make for a pet-friendly home, like a fenced-in yard.
- Scope out the surroundings for pet-friendly assets like dog parks and beaches.
- Look for a neighborhood that has a high Walk Score, as you’ll be spending most of your time walking your pup near your new home.
Address the Logistical Parts of Home-Buying
They aren’t fun, but these administrative tasks are an essential part of buying property.
- Prepare the paperwork you will need for a home loan, from tax returns to pay stubs.
- Don’t forget to budget for closing costs on the house.
- Make sure to run a property title search before closing the deal on any home.
Prepare for a Streamlined Move
Use these resources to make your transition a smooth one.
- Get your pet ready by checking in with your vet, making sure your pet is microchipped and transferring their health records.
- Check into pet insurance providers in the area to which you’re moving, and check out the most reasonable rates and what policies are provided.
- Before the move, Decluttering School notes to get rid of excess clutter, weeding out things you don’t need room by room.
- Work with professionals like Easy Eagles to help you move house.
- Check with the local council to find out what the local laws regarding pets are: If you are moving to the Surf Coast for example, there are only certain animals you are allowed to keep, cats now are under a 24 hour curfew and cannot roam the streets, and dogs need to be registered and tagged. There is a wealth of information on the Surf Coast Shire website. But wherever you are moving there will most likely be some rules and regulations, which you’ll want to be aware of prior to the move.
- On the day of the move, consider what you will do with the animals, they can find it very stressful, run away and get in the way of all the feet moving through the house as you’re moving. Some people choose to put their pets in an empty room, some tie them up in the back yard, some people take their pets to the new house first, and others choose to have the pets stay with a friend or family member for the day.
Taking these extra steps will help Fido or Fluffy acclimate.
- Try to take some time off around your move. Your work stress can rub off on your pet, which can make the transition tougher.
- VeganDesign.org says to consider pet-friendly renovations to the new property, like picking animal-friendly floors.
- Look up pet care professionals like sitters, walkers, and groomers in your new neighborhood.
As a loving pet owner, you want nothing more than for your four-legged pal to be happy and healthy. It all starts with the right place to call home. The above resources can help you find the perfect spot and settle in.