Before you go
- See your vet and get copies of records and any medication.
- Check state rules. Each state sets rules for bringing animals in, and many require a rabies vaccination and sometimes a certificate of veterinary inspection. Your vet can help you find your destination state's current rules.
- Update the microchip and tags with a phone number that will work when you move.
- Check housing rules: breed limits, pet fees and leash requirements at your new home or HOA.
- Find a new vet, including an emergency clinic.
By car
Most pets do best in the car, with you.
- Use a crate or a harness, and don't let them loose inside the car.
- Practice short drives first, especially with cats.
- Stop regularly for water and a walk.
- Never leave a pet alone in a parked car. Temperatures rise fast.
- Book pet-friendly hotels ahead of time.
By air
Rules change by airline and by season, particularly for heat and for cargo travel. Ask about cabin size limits and health paperwork, and speak with your vet about whether your pet is a safe candidate. Short-nosed breeds face extra risks.
Moving day
Open doors and busy crews are how pets get lost. Put them in a closed room with a sign on the door, or with a friend or sitter. Pack their food, litter and favorite toys in your own car, not on the truck.
Settling in
Set up one quiet room with familiar things before they explore the house. Keep cats indoors for a few weeks. Learn the local hazards, too, from desert heat in Arizona to wildlife in Florida. Hot pavement can burn paws, and some areas have snakes or alligators.