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APRIL / MAY 2021 • MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
Top Tips for Moving With a Pet
Your furball is part of the family, so if you’re like most, you don’t make major
life decisions without thinking of your pet’s needs—including where you live
and how you move into a new home. © Saske Kun, Bigstock.com.
(STATEPOINT) Your furball is part of the
family, so if you’re like most, you don’t
make major life decisions without thinking
of your pet’s needs—including where you
live and how you move into a new home.
When people decide on new homes and
communities, pet priorities are often equal
to or more important than human-focused
amenities, according to the 2019 Mayflower
Mover Insights Survey. American pet own-
ers say one-third of their overall decision
to move was related to their pets.
What’s more, survey respondents cited
a willingness to pay significantly more in
living costs per month (32 percent) and
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even forgo perks
like shorter com-
mutes and updated
kitchens in favor
of pet-friendly
features.
Pets may get
the priority for
perks when their
humans relocate,
but moving is still
a stressful activity
for animals. Half of
pet owners reported
their pets struggled
to adjust to new
homes. However,
there’s good news:
more than nine in 10
owners say their pets adjusted to new set-
tings in less than a month. And, more than
90 percent agree that wherever they and
their pets are together is instantly home.
MOVING WItH A PEt? CONsIDEr
tHE FOLLOWING:
Yard Matters: Dog owners consider yard
size 85 percent of the time, and 82 percent
of dog and cat owners consider a fenced-in
backyard. If you’re looking to let your dog
off-leash or allow your cat into the yard,
prioritize homes with fencing and plenty
of space for pets to exercise.
Walking Trails: Don’t just consider
the house when home-shopping. Look for
MISSOULA
3018 Rattlesnake Dr
406-549-0988
POLSON
Nine 14th Ave W
406-883-4378
FLUFFY CrIttErs PAGE 23
neighborhoods offering proximity to parks,
dog runs, walking trails and other amenities
that make dog-walking safe and enjoyable.
Scope Out Pet Services: Try not to leave
a gap in veterinary care or pet services. If
you’re moving far enough away to require a
new veterinarian, identify who that will be
in advance. If anything arises as you’re set-
tling into your new home, you won’t want
to deal with the added stress of researching
where to take your sick pet. Likewise, get
recommendations for services such as dog
walkers, pet sitters or dog boarding so you
and your pet can hit the ground running in
your new community.
Anticipate Bumps: A move can be dif-
ficult on pets — dog owners reported their
dogs had trouble adapting to new neigh-
borhoods, while cats had more trouble
adjusting to new houses. Nine out of 10 dog
and cat owners recommend being patient,
spending more time with pets and showing
them where everything is in the new home.
Pack Pet Gear Wisely: Make moving day
a breeze by keeping all your pet supplies
— food, medications, etc. packed in an easy-
to-access box that’s clearly labeled. Consider
keeping several days’ supply with you and
transporting these necessities in your car.
Planning a move? For tips and insights,
visit mayflower.com. With a bit of extra
preparation, you can pave the way for a
smooth move for everyone in your family,
including your pet. MsN
SHELBY
630 Park Dr
406-434-3260