Preparing Your Plants

Here are some tips for making sure your plants survive the trip to their new home.
Check with your mover on plant policies for your move. Movers are not liable for living plants.

3 Weeks Before Moving Day
Repot plants from fragile or breakable pots into unbreakable, plastic containers. The new pot should be big enough to hold the plant and not restrict the root system. Changing the pot size can cause plants growth problems like stunting.

2 Weeks Before Moving Day
Prune larger plants. Pruning will make packing easier and produce healthy, bushy, compact, attractive houseplants. You can prune by pinching back newer growth with your thumb and forefinger.

Cacti, jade plants, ferns, etc. do not respond well to pruning.

1 Week Before Moving
Eliminate any insects or plant parasites. Pesticides may contain harmful chemicals so use them carefully. Be sure to read the label and instructions.

Another way to kill pests is to put the entire plant in a black plastic utility bag (garbage bags work great) for about six hours with a bug/pest strip or an animal flea collar. Keep the bag in a cool; shady area. This is the safest way to eliminate bugs without using pesticides.

2 Days Before Moving
Don't forget about your plants. Typically you will be very busy around moving time, don't forget to water them as they are used to. Keep in mind that during the winter months, roots saturated with moisture may freeze. In warmer weather, over watered plants are subject to damaging fungus growth during transit.

Moving Day
Pack your plants in the morning, or the night before. Conventional packing cartons are good for moving plants. A dish pack, available from the van line, has compartments that easily adapt to holding plants. Many families bring their plants to their new home in their car.

Make sure that each plant is secure in the box. This will prevent slipping while in transit.

1. Place the pot in a box.
2. Make sure it fits snugly in the bottom.
3. Use paper around the base of the pot to keep it in place.
4. Cushion branches and leaves with soft paper.
5. Punch air holds in the sides of the box and loosely fasten the lid.
6. Set the boxes upright and clearly mark the lids to avoid loading mistakes.
   You do not want other items loaded on top of the plants if possible.

Following these instructions, your plants should be ready to travel safely for up to four days.

Rules & Regulations Regarding Plants
Many states regulate the transportation of certain plants. Some states even require a "Gypsy Moth Inspection Certificate." Check with your State Department of Agriculture or Department of Natural Resources to find out the rules and regulations of your destination state.

If you find out that you cannot take your plants along, consider taking cuttings instead. Place them in a sterile mix or in a plastic bag with damp cotton or paper towel. The cuttings should survive several days travel and be ready to take root in your new home.

Moving is not only stressful for us. Your pet senses the anxiety that surrounds a move.

Make sure that your pets are wearing their tags at all times.

Here are some tips to remember when moving with a pet.

Do not forget to get a copy of health records from the veterinarian. This information needs to be passed on to the new veterinarian at your new residence.

Remember to get a new Health Certificate(s). Many states require one for dogs, cats and birds. The Health Certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian and must be accompanied by inoculation records.

Get a permit allowing entry into the destination state, if applicable. Your veterinarian can help you apply for one usually for a small fee.

Be sure to have your pet's identification tags and records. Most states also require dogs and cats to have a rabies tag on their collars.

Call the City Clerk in the new neighborhood to check for local pet ordinances. "Leash Laws" are becoming more common. Licensing may be necessary, and the number of pets per household may be limited.

Transporting By Air
When putting your pet on a plane, make travel arrangements well in advance to avoid problems.

Before departure:

1. Have your pet checked by a veterinarian. Get any necessary inoculations, health certificates, and any necessary sedatives or medications your pet may need.
2. Check the airline in advance for instructions, reservations, special requirements and insurance coverage(s).
3. Get a Federal Aviation Administration approved container and a travel ID tag.

If you plan to bring your pet on board, and if it's small enough to fit in the cabin area, you must notify the airlines in advance. Some airlines will allow a pet inside if it is in an FAA-approved container and will fit under the seat. Usually, pets allowed on board are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Seeing Eye Dogs can sit in the aisle of the cabin at the owner's feet.

If possible, don't change air carriers during your trip. Moving your pet from one plane to another adds extra work, cost and stress. Write the words "LIVE ANIMAL" clearly on the outside of the container. Baggage handlers may not always handle with the care they should.

Pets not accompanied by the owner or too large to travel inside the cabin must travel air freight.

Let the airline know in advance that you will be shipping an animal by air freight. You may need to bring your pet to freight loading two or more hours before departure. For your pet's welfare and comfort, be sure to:

Feed at least five hours before flight time, and water it at least two hours before flight time.

Exercise your pet at the airport and administer any required medications.

Give your pet some extra blankets to keep it warm.

You are responsible for picking up your pet at destination. Pets not picked up in a reasonable amount of time (24 hours) will either be returned to point of origin, or placed in a kennel, at the owner's expense.

Airlines may refuse to transport a pet if: it cannot be shipped within a 24-hour period; ground temperature is below 45 degrees or above 85 degrees at either origin or destination; or, it is not in an FAA-approved kennel with proper identification.

Know your destination state's pet entry laws and regulations. Some states have border inspection and other states rely on individual compliance with the law. Airports normally have officials present to inspect animals arriving by air.

Containers
A proper pet carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand up, turn around and lie down. It must have adequate cross-ventilation and a leakproof bottom with layers of absorbent lining. It should also have a secure lock on the door and should be able to withstand bumps, jostles and falls.

Most airlines have travel kennels available for you to buy. These kennels meet all FAA requirements for pet transportation. Pet stores should have, or can inform you where to get FAA-approved pet carriers.

Transportation by Car
Car travel is probably the best way of transporting your pet to his or her new home. Most pets enjoy a car ride and this can be the most cost effective way to transport your pet(s).

If your pet doesn't travel in a car much, take your pet on a few short car trips. This is a good way to determine if you will need to consult your veterinarian about medication to reduce or eliminate motion sickness. Some of the signs are constant crying, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.

If you're planning to stop at a motel along the way, be prepared. Find out which motels accept pets. Using a leash, kennel or carrier to move your pet from car to motel will help reassure that the pet will not run away, or get lost.

Before leaving, make certain you have all your pet's required documents, ID and rabies tags.

Take along an ample supply of food, fresh water and a dish for each, leash and grooming brush, medications, extra towels and newspaper, a favorite toy or two, your pet's blanket, room deodorizer for motel rooms.

On The Road
Don't feed or water your pet for a few hours before you leave. This will help avoid the frequency of stops for the pet to relieve itself. Remember, use your pets leash to keep it safe!

It is not recommended to leave your pet in the car alone. If you absolutely have to, lock the car doors and crack windows for cross-ventilation. Avoid extended stays in the car alone, especially in the extreme heat of summer or the cold of winter.

If you leave your pet alone in a motel room, notify the management and hang a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. Before leaving the motel, use your air freshener to help eliminate odors.

If you're traveling with a bird, keep the cage covered to help calm it. Remove water and food dishes to avoid messy spills. Feed and water it at stops along the way.

Arriving At Your New Home
Your pet also needs time to adjust to the new house and new surroundings. Try to give your pet the same comforts of the old home by using the same water and food dish, toys, bedding, etc.

Once you are settled in, find neighbors with pets and see if you can get a recommendation to a good veterinarian in the area. Your old vet may have a recommendation or you can contact the local Humane Society for references.

Professional Pet Service
If you do not or can not make the proper preparations for your pet's move, consider hiring a professional pet service that can take care of everything for you.