Tips to help pets adjust to a new home

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Moving into a new home is an exciting, exhilarating and occasionally overwhelming undertaking for every member of the family. This also holds true for family pets. A little before-the-move preparation, however, can help your pet adjust quickly to life in a new place.

One of the first and most important steps in the process is providing identification.



“Get your pet micro-chipped,” said Realtor Linda James of the James Group Real Estate Team at RE/MAX The Woodlands & Spring. “If you’ve already done that, be sure to update the registry with your new information.”



She also recommends keeping a collar and identification tags – one with your telephone number, and the other required-by-law rabies vaccine tag – on the animal in addition to the micro-chip. That will help the pet become quickly reunited with its family should it become lost in the new neighborhood.



If your move includes air travel, James suggests that you contact the airline well in advance of your trip and ask for their requirements to transport domestic animals.



“From seasonal restrictions and documentation to kennel size and proper ventilation, most airlines have very strict guidelines for transporting pets,” she said.



To help keep pets healthy, one of the first pet-related relationships a new homeowner must form in the new location is with a veterinarian.



“Contact your Realtor and ask him or her to put you in touch with a reputable veterinarian,” James said. “Then check to find out which vaccinations the pet will require, as well as what types of protection from fleas, ticks and heartworms are necessary for the area.”



And finally, take your pet to tour the house, yard and surrounding flora. If he will spend any time at all alone in the back yard, be sure to walk him around using a leash. He will likely lead you straight to any gaps in the fence or other potential hazards that will need attention before giving him free rein.



“Here in The Woodlands – as in many other areas – we have dog parks that are wonderful for allowing your pet to safely run and meet other dogs, but be sure to check their requirements as well as the leash laws in your county,” James said.



“If you do not have a dog or cat, but are considering getting one when you’re settled in, visit your local shelter or contact an animal rescue group,” she said. “They have some wonderful dogs and cats that would love to call your home theirs.”



James may be contacted at 713-598-8571 or via email at thebritishrealtor@msn.com.



For more information, to see the latest property listings, or to contact an agent, please visit thewoodlands-spring.com, or call 281-367-7770.