Moving With Pets Across the Country: A Practical Guide
A long-distance move is stressful for animals: new smells, long days in a car or crate, and a home that doesn't feel like theirs yet. Most of the work is paperwork and planning you can finish weeks ahead.
4–6 weeks before: the vet visit
- Get records and a checkup. Ask for vaccination records, especially rabies, and a copy of your pet's medical history to hand to a new vet.
- Ask about a health certificate. Many states require dogs and cats entering the state to have a current rabies vaccination, and some expect a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) issued within about 30 days. Airlines usually require one too. Your vet can tell you the rules for your destination, or check the destination state's department of agriculture (state veterinarian).
- Update the microchip. Make sure the chip is registered with your new address and phone number, and put a tag on the collar with your cell number.
- Talk about anxiety. If your pet gets car-sick or panics in a crate, ask your vet about options well before the trip, and test them at home first.
Driving vs flying
Driving is easiest for most pets: they stay with you, and you control breaks. Plan stops every two to three hours for water and bathroom breaks, never leave a pet alone in a parked car, and keep cats in a secured carrier the whole time (an escaped cat at a rest stop is a common disaster).
Flying works for small pets that fit in a carrier under the seat. Larger animals may have to travel as cargo, which airlines restrict in hot and cold months and for short-nosed breeds. Book early, since airlines limit pets per cabin.
Pet transport companies can drive or fly pets for you. Check reviews and whether they're registered with the USDA if they transport animals commercially.
On the road
- Book pet-friendly hotels ahead; many charge a nightly pet fee.
- Pack a pet bag: food for the trip and the first week, bottled water, bowls, leash, waste bags, litter and a small box, medications, records, and a familiar blanket or toy.
- Feed a lighter meal a few hours before driving to reduce car sickness.
Rules in your new state and city
- Licensing: many cities and counties require dogs (and sometimes cats) to be licensed within a set number of days of moving in.
- Breed and number limits: some cities, landlords and homeowners associations restrict certain breeds or the number of pets. Check before you sign a lease.
- Rent: landlords may charge pet deposits or monthly pet rent, so include that when you compare rents with our relocation calculator.
- Climate: moving from a cool state to a hot one (or the reverse) is a big adjustment; ask your vet about heat, ticks and heartworm prevention in the new area.
The first week
Set up one quiet room with familiar bedding, food and water before letting pets explore the whole home. Keep cats indoors for a couple of weeks, walk dogs on a leash until they know the neighborhood, and find a new vet and the nearest emergency clinic before you need them.
Planning the rest of the move? See the moving out of state checklist and the new resident deadlines for your state.