With all of "critical moving details" on your mind, it can be all too easy to forget to have a plan for moving your pet out of his old home and settle into his new home. Even though you may be overwhelmed, it's important to have a plan for moving your pet to help Napoleon, Garfield or Nemo through the trauma of moving to a new home.

As a Realtor, I only hear the pet moving horror stories and never the ones that were smooth. Most of the higher stress stories were from "just wing it" relocating home buyers where moving required traveling with four legged family members.

Moving your household ranks as one of the more stressful and traumatic events for home owners. Consider that the potential stress of moving could be far greater for your household pet since most of their life is inside of your home. Moving changes their entire world.

Not having a Pet Moving Plan can only increase your moving stress when the time comes and who needs more stress?

Here are some simple strategies that can make the event easier on the pets, your kids, your spouse and yourself.

• First, pick a new local vet by your new home. The new local vet can explain any local (city or county) pet registration requirements and give you a referral to a good pet boarding place in case you might need one during the move. Then get your current veterinarian to make you a full copy of your pet's medical history to take with you and be sure all shots are current. Have your current vet fax your pets medical history to the new vet. Enter the new vets phone number into your cell phone. If you pet has an ID implant, remember to have updated contact information.

• Make sure your household pet is wearing Up To Date Identification and any required license tags in case they get lost. Is your disconnected old phone number on the tag? Old Home Address? Most Wal-Marts or chain pet stores have an ID Vending Machine where you can make a new tag with your working cell phone number.

• Pets know when changes are occurring, become nervous and act differently. Keep them close and controlled as stress may cause them to misbehave or run off. For your sanity and theirs, why not have them boarded at a pet papering place during the hectic moving days.

• When you move, take along a health certificate and a rabies vaccination certificate. The health certificate, signed by your veterinarian, says your pet is in good condition. The rabies certificate states when and where your pet was vaccinated.

• Make Travel Arrangements For Your Pets. If your move involves air travel, contact airline carriers well in advance. Learn their pet regulations and make reservations. Choose a nonstop flights to avoid extra handling and climate and air-pressure changes.

• Maintain Your Pet's Routine. Keep your pets' routines, such as feedings and walks, as normal as possible in the week before moving. Dogs and cats need to feel in control and might exhibit behavioral changes or even become ill when stressed. Treat them with the same level of attention you would ordinarily give them.

• Consider making a "pet room." in your home a few days before you move from your old home. Make a door sign saying "Pets: Do Not Open" for friends or movers. Move food and water bowls, as well as toys, into this room. Consider using pet crates or carriers equipped with litterbox (for cats), chew toys, or objects that have a familiar smell. Leave the crate door open so your pet will adapt before travel day. On your moving day if you are not boarding your pet, keep it in the crate or carrier. As an alternative, consider asking a friend or relative to take care of your pet during the move process.

• If you are driving, keep your pet cat or dog in a carrier. Plan to stop often enough to give dogs some fresh air and use a leash. Maintain a comfortable car temperature and don't ever leave animals alone in a car on a hot Texas day.

Work with the Mark Hitz Realtor Team, Keller Williams Realty Northwest to Relocate, Buy or Sell a Far North Dallas Texas Suburbs Home

If you are thinking of moving, relocating, buying or selling a home, or just want to talk with an expert Real Estate Agent with detailed knowledge of the Current Far North Dallas Texas Suburbs Real Estate Market including The Colony TX, Little Elm TX, Frisco TX, homes for sale or any of the communities listed below, please feel free to contact us. Simply call us at 214-514-1800, or e-mail us. We'll be glad to talk with you about home relocation, moving and storage concerns, and help you in all of your Far North Dallas Texas Suburbs Real Estate needs.

About Our Moving and Storage Guides

Moving and storage commentary on this website is provided in a Keller Williams Realty Northwest advisory capacity for clients and customers. Our mention of specific movers, storage or related businesses is not rock solid endorsement by the Mark Hitz Realtor Team of their services nor should any moving or storage decisions be made soley based upon the information contained on this website. Links to any external movers, storage or related websites are provided as resources to assist relocating home buyers and sellers in their moving process. Our personal goal is to provide unique useful insight, opinion and information to potential relocating home buyers and home sellers interested in the Far North Dallas communities of Denton County and Collin County Texas. We encourage you to call Mark Hitz, Local Realtor® Keller Williams Realty Northwest at 214-514-1800 with any specific relocation, moving or storage questions you might have if you currently do not have a written agreement with another Texas real estate agent.

If You Already Have A Real Estate Agent

If you have already entered into a Written client | real estate sales agent Contractual Agreement with a Texas licensed real estate agent or Texas Realtor® this is not a solicitation for your business. It is unethical for us to work with clients of other Texas real estate agents and we adhere to this Realtor® code of ethics. We strongly encourage you to work with your current real estate agent, use their website guides, research and advisory abilities. Always contact them with any questions or "homes for sale" information you desire in your home buying or selling process instead of us, because using more than one Texas real estate agent will end up causing you unnecessary stress in one of the most important decisions you will make.