Make Moving Easier Complete Guide - Make Moving with Pets Easier | Page 9

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Always travel on the same flight as your pet. Ask the airline if you can
watch your pet being loaded into the cargo hold and unloaded.
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Don’t ever ship brachycephalic animals such as Pekingese dogs, bulldogs
or Persian cats in the cargo holds.
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If traveling during the summer or winter months, choose flights that will
accommodate the temperature extremes. Early morning or late evening
flights are better in the summer; afternoon flights are better in the winter.
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Fit your pet with a collar that can’t get caught in carrier doors. Affix two
pieces of identification on the collar: a permanent ID with your name and
home address and telephone number, and a temporary travel ID with the
address and telephone number where you or a contact person can be reached.
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Try not to fly with your pet during busy travel times such as holidays and
the summer. Your pet is more likely to undergo rough handling during hectic
travel periods.
Make sure to properly label your carrier with contact information in case your
pet is lost, too.
Pet transportation services are another option. They do all of the work and
planning for you, but your pet will be in the hands of a stranger, so you’ll have
to weigh the pros and cons and make that decision yourself.
Familiarize Your Pet With Your New Home
Before moving, make sure your new home is pet-friendly. Look for any
possible toxic plants outside, for example. Once, I moved into a new place and
kept losing my cat only to find her outside. I kept thinking I accidentally left
the door open until I found a secret hole in the kitchen that led to the bottom
of the house.