Moving with cat in tow can be a worrying time with you wondering if they will run away or be stressed out.
Well moving homes is a stressful time for all concerned, including your feline friend. After all he will find himself in unfamiliar territory with lots of strange smells and wondering what on earth has happened.
It’s at times like this I wish they could understand English, so you can explain to them what is going on and not feel like a total villain by taking them away from everything they know.
The best we can do when moving with cat in tow is to make the whole experience as smooth and un-scary as possible.
So the house is sold and you have a moving date, you’ve booked the removals van and notified the authorities of your new address. But hang on a minute, what about the cat? What’s going to happen to them on the day of moving?
It’s best to decide in advance on how you are going to move your cat. There are two options open to you, board them in a cattery for a few days or take them with you on the day. Both have their merits but they both also have their downfalls.
Boarding in a cattery:
Taking them with you on the day:
Choosing to board your cat for a few days will mean that you will not have to worry about them while you move.
This option will require more planning and there are no hard and fast rules on how this is best done, but here is a general guide:
See travelling with your cat for tips for the journey.
One of the major worries an owner has when moving with cat in tow is what will happen when they first venture outside their new home. There are never any guarantees that a cat will not decide to try and find his way back home, but you can reduce this happening.
Try and keep your cat inside for the first three weeks. This is not always possible and some cats adjust to their new surroundings much quicker than others. Only you as an owner will recognise if your cat is relaxed enough in the new home to allow them to go outside for the first time.
Let them out just before meal times, and then you can call them back with their favourite food.
Go outside with your cat and stay with them for a while. This will help your cat feel secure. If your cat doesn’t want to follow you out, do not force them to go.
Leave the door open so that your cat can return to the house when they want to. It might be a bit scary out there at first.
Keep the first few times they go out short. This will build up the bond to the new home.
Always make sure your cat is wearing a name and address collar and is microchipped before letting them out.
Moving with cat abroad requires a whole lot more forward planning and preparation and I’m afraid cost. So if this is something you are considering, here are a few pointers on what needs to be done:
You will need to contact the ministry of agriculture, fisheries and food (MAFF) in the U.K, or the department of agriculture in the US to notify them of your move and to apply for an export licence. This should be done at least six weeks before moving with cat.
Find out what vaccinations are required for the specific country you are moving to and arrange for these to be carried out by your vet. Do this also at least six weeks in advance as some vaccinations cannot be given all at the same time, or need to be carried out a certain period of time before export.
Find an airline willing to export your cat. They will also inform you of all the paperwork that is required prior to the trip. This is important because without the right paperwork at your destination you could find your cat confined to quarantine for many months or even sent back home.
If you are moving with cat to the UK a mandatory six-month quarantine (this is under review) is required even if your cat has been vaccinated, so the cost of this stay and the affects on your cat must be considered.
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