Moving Tip
Moving with pets and plants
How to transport pets
Pets cannot be shipped on moving vans. Pets often become frightened and may try to run away. Keep your pet on a leash when outside. Your pet should wear a special identification tag, with its name, your name, and where you can be reached. Except for Seeing Eye Dogs, pets are not permitted on buses or trains. Consider sending smaller pets by air express. Consult with your veterinarian concerning mild sedation of your pet during the trip.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
If your move is across state lines, call or write to the State Veterinarian, State Department of Animal Husbandry, or other appropriate authority. Interstate health certificates must be obtained for dogs and horses prior to entering most states. All but four states require an rabies vaccine for dogs, and many require it for cats. Hawaii requires that cats and dogs be quarantined for 120 days. Some pets must have an entry permit issued by the destination state's regulatory agency. A few states have border inspection of all animals being transported; others have random inspections.
LOCAL LAWS
Local communities have pet control and licensing ordinances. In some cases, the number of pets is limited.
AIR TRAVEL CHECKLIST
Make reservations well in advance. Follow airline instructions. Obtain a shipping container a week or two in advance. Familiarize your pet with it by placing the pet in it for a few minutes each day. Gradually lengthen the time until the pet seems to be at ease with it. Carefully schedule boarding and shipping arrangements for your pet to assure that the pet is well cared for until you are able to receive it at your new home. Feed the pet no less than five or six hours before flight time. Give the pet a drink of water no less than two hours before the flight. If your pet is accompanying you, arrive at the terminal 45 minutes before normal check-in time. If shipping the pet, get to the freight terminal two hours in advance of the flight. Be certain that names, addresses and telephone numbers of persons responsible for the pet at origin and destination are clearly marked on the container and on the pet's identification tag. Notify the person receiving the pet that is on the way. Give them the flight and waybill number. Pets can usually be picked up within 90 minutes of flight arrival.
CAR TRAVEL CHECKLIST
If your dog or cat is not used to traveling by car, make short trips with the pet a week or two in advance. Dogs should be taught to lie quietly. Don't let your dog put its head in the wind. It can irritate eyes and cause problems. Cats are often frightened by car travel, but they usually adjust quickly. Folding kennels or crates especially designed for station wagons can be very useful. Accustom your pet to being on a leash and always use it when outside your vehicle or hotel. If you must stop overnight, check in advance for hotels that allow pets. Be sure that your pet is properly tagged and its rabies tag is firmly attached. Pet Travel Kit: food, water, and dishes; can opener (if needed); leash; a few treats; favorite toy; and some type of bedding. To be on the safe side, ask your veterinarian if a sedative would be appropriate. Don't forget the scooper and plastic bags for cleanup!
MOVING PLANTS
SHOCK: Some house plants are susceptible to shock when moving.
TEMPERATURE: In Fahrenheit, temps below 35 or above 95 for more than any hour can kill many plants.
WATER: Most house plants can survive for a seven to ten days without water with little harm, but they should be moist when placed in cartons.
DARKNESS/LIGHT: house plants can tolerate darkness for up to a week, if other conditions are favorable. When first exposing plants to light after prolonged darkness, do so gradually to avoid wilting and sun scald.
CUTTINGS: For convenience and space saving, you can take cuttings of your favorite plant (if possible). Most cutting can survive for several days if kept in a plastic bag containing damp vermiculite, peat moss, or perlite.
PROFESSIONAL MOVING
Most professional movers will accept plants, if not more than 150 miles and/or delivery within 24 hours. If you are moving across state lines, check federal and state regulations for quarantines or other restrictions. Several states require that plants be inspected and declared "pest free". Some states have random vehicle checks, while others inspect all house plants at the border. You must arrange for inspection of your plants by an authorized state department of agriculture inspector.
DO-IT-YOURSELF
Never carry plants in the car trunk, which can get too hot in summer, and too cold in winter.