Advice for moving house with pets

Moving home can be stressful for pets as they are removed from their familiar surroundings and routine. If you are unable to find someone to look after your pet on moving day you should investigate local catteries and kennels to house them until your new home is ready.

It is vital that you update the contact information on your pets' microchips, and that any collars have the correct details on them in case your pet decides to wander off.

Additional sources of advice for moving home with pets

Additional advice on moving with cats

Additional advice on moving with dogs

Additional advice on moving with rabbits

Britannia Goodwins Removals & Storage Stafford Moving Home with Pets

Cats and dogs

Cats and dogs are very territorial and scent mark their surroundings. A new home will smell and feel alien to them, so pack a box with their favourite bedding and toys so they are comforted by familiar sights and smells.

Treatments such as Feliway for cats and Adaptil for dogs may also help. These remedies are designed to reduce hormonal stress in pets, but it may be worth consulting your vet before you make a purchase.

If you’re transporting a pet abroad, they must be transported as cargo (with the exception of working assistance dogs) so it is important to use a cage which has been approved by the IATA (International Airport Transportation Association) to ensure they have enough room to sit and stand properly. This will allow your pet to travel in comfort and reduce the likelihood of them becoming unhappy or aggressive.

Once your pet has moved into your new home, let them adjust at their own pace. In the case of cats who go outside, allow them a couple of weeks to familiarise themselves with your new house before introducing them to the garden and other outside spaces. This will allow them to get used to their new territory and be able to find their way home once they start to explore.

Conversely, dogs should be taken for a walk right away to get used to their new surroundings. Allowing your pooch to sniff around and mark their territory will give them confidence. It is important your dog’s exercise routine is maintained or they may become unsettled.

Call Us:  Staffordshire & Cheshire: 01785 251161 orGet a Quote

Britannia Goodwins Removals & Storage Stafford Moving Home with Pets

Rabbits and other small mammals

Small mammals such as rabbits are extremely sensitive to stress and disruption to their routine should be kept to a minimum. Many pet boarding facilities now accommodate rabbits, but make sure that they are kept separately from dogs and cats. Rabbits must have access to fresh hay and water at all times during transportation.

Britannia Goodwins Removals & Storage Stafford Moving Home with Pets

Call Us:  Staffordshire & Cheshire: 01785 251161 orGet a Quote

Britannia Goodwins Removals & Storage Stafford Moving Home with Pets

Fish

Fish are highly sensitive to changes in their environment, so great care must be taken. Fish should be transported in special plastic bags which are available from pet shops and specialist outlets. Fill 1/3 of the bag with aquarium water. The rest should be air. Double bag and secure with elastic bands. Save as much of the aquarium water as possible and pack separately. The conditions in their tank or aquarium should be as close as possible to how they were before your move before returning your fish to it.

Ask at your local fish store and get a whole pile of plastic fish bags. Fill these with 1/3 of aquarium water, add the fish, and tie it off with as much air as you can, Use two bags for extra safety. You will find that this way is more work but at least your treasured fish will arrive safely. 

Once you have secured the fish in bags place the bags in coolers - styrofoam or plastic. This will keep the temperature stable for you and also keep the fish in the dark, which eases their stress immensely and helps keeps them calm. Next step make sure you transfer your filter media safely also in a plastic bag to preserve all your bacteria so the tank doesn't have to cycle all over again.

When you finally arrive at your new home, make sure you fill the tank, treat it with conditioner, and let it run for a few hours to aerate before introducing the fish. The fish will be fine in the plastic bags in the cooler for this length of time. Finally float the bags for a few minutes and then pour the fish in.

Call Us:  Staffordshire & Cheshire: 01785 251161 orGet an Estimate

Meet our movers

Call Us:  Staffordshire & Cheshire: 01785 251161 orLet Us Call You Back

Removal quote appointment booking service

Britannia Goodwins Removals & Storage can help your move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 01785 251161 and speaking with one of our Stafford and Cheshire removals specialists.

How are our appointments carried out

In the current times you might prefer that we don't visit your house in person to carry out a survey. This is fully understandable and we can just as easily undertake the survey by video call, using whatever method you're comfortable with, usually FaceTime or WhatsApp.

See what our customers think of us...

Friendly, efficient and helpful

Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
I knew Robert Goodwin and the good reputation.

How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10

How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10

Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Excellent reputation

How would you rate your move team?
10/10

Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Friendly, efficient and helpful

How would you rate our communication?
10/10

How can we improve our service?
Better online forms maybe?

How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Nothing really

Brian Woods

The overall experience at a time of stress was good

Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Recommended by two people who used your company.

How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
9/10

How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10

Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Because of others experience

How would you rate your move team?
9/10

Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Very pleasant. Courteous, helpful guys

How would you rate our communication?
9/10

How can we improve our service?
Not sure

How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
The overall experience at a time of stress was good 

Iris Ramsey,

They were polite and professional throughout and took the stress away from us on moving day

Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Contact details - Google.

How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
8/10

How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10

Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Needed to move house and was seemed the best company to do so.

How would you rate your move team?
10/10

Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
The team were absolutely fantastic. They were polite and professional throughout and took the stress away from us on moving day. They took care of everything and even found our son’s Christmas elves which was a huge help and helped settle our son into our new house.

How would you rate our communication?
8/10

How can we improve our service?
Think there are a few things pre-move day that would help.

  • A general email to say what to expect, perhaps a video that shows what will happen. Moving house is stressful enough and this would’ve helped take the edge off.
  • A text message to confirm what time the team is arriving, potentially with the team member names included - we feel this would be a nice personalised touch.

BUT - on the actual day the team were brilliant and should be praised for their efforts.

How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
John, Rob, Tyler and Anthony were brilliant, we really hope they are praised by their Management. We will recommend to anyone else moving home due to these 4 gentlemen.

Owen and Claire Ladds

First class service from start to finish.

Email

We’ve sang your praises online as we genuinely thought it was a first class service from start to finish.

The dedication, respect, courtesy and sheer hard work employed was exceptional, we could not fault any element of it.

Thanks again, we will definitely recommend your company to anyone in the Leek area.

Regards                                                                                                    

Andrew and Jayne Baxter

UK Quote

Complete the form below to get your UK Removals quotation

Date Details

Moving Details

Contact Details

European Removals Quote Request

Complete the form below to get your European Removals quotation

Date Details

Moving Details

Contact Details

International Removals Quote Request

Complete the form below to get your International Removals quotation

Date Details

Moving Details

Contact Details

Call Me Back

Complete the form below and we'll call you back to discuss your requirements

Your Details

Self Storage

Complete the form below to get your Self Storage quotation

Storage Details

Additional Information

Contact Details

UK Price Guide

Complete the form below to get a Price Guide sent to you

Please note: Our Price Guide tool is intended for moves within the UK Mainland only. If you're moving to or from the UK mainland please speak to one of our friendly team who will be able to provide you with a bespoke quote.

Moving From

Moving To

Moving Details

Your Details

Please note: Our Price Guide tool is intended for moves within the UK Mainland only.

Call Us:  Staffordshire & Cheshire: 01785 251161 orLet Us Call You Back

© Britannia Goodwins Removals & Storage 2024. Registered in England 00719614 Britannia Goodwins is a trading name of John Bradshaw and Son Limited An indicoll website
Privacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclaimerAccessibility