Compliments of Century 21 Regal Realty Inc.
Pets are part of the family and it’s important to ease them into their new surroundings. You must allow them to become familiar with your new home and neighbourhood. Unfamiliar sounds, scents, climate, water or strange postal carriers play a role in the anxiety of your pet.
As a pet owner, I would like to extend my own advice to ensure that your pet has a comfortable transition.
1. For the sake of your pet, it’s best to keep them confined for a few days until they realize that this is their new home. Most pets are prone to run off in search of their old home. This is especially true for cats – they should be watched for several weeks.
2. Scent and location is key. Your pet will recognize certain toys, blankets, food and bed. If these items are placed relatively in similar places as your last house, your pet will begin to feel more at home. As for birds, keep them in a quiet room where they will be undisturbed until they become familiar with their surroundings.
3. Other small pets like hamsters or rabbits usually have few adjustment issues. Pay close attention to their water supply, they might be unfamiliar with it for a period of time. This is also true of fish. To avoid harming them, test the water for similarity to that of the water in your old home and adjust accordingly.
Like anyone moving into a new home, adjustment is necessary. Give your pet time and attention and he or she will be enjoying their new surroundings in no time!
MOVING WITH PLANTS
Ultimately, you have three options when moving:
• Give them away
• Throw them out
• Take them with you
If you can’t imagine giving up your precious plants, The National Gardening Association provides great advice on how to move your plants without worry:
Going airborne? If your belongings will be shipped by plane, your first step should be to contact the airline. Most airlines have strict regulations when it comes to transporting plant life. They will tell you what you can and can't take, and how they should be packaged. Another worthwhile phone call would be to the Department of Agriculture, in the area that you are moving to. Some provinces and states forbid the importation of plants, to prevent the spread of pests (harmful insects) and agricultural diseases.
Hitting the highway? If your belongings will be shipped by car (truck), you should check the containers in which you are planning to transport them in. Terra cotta pots for example are very fragile and may break. It would be wiser to transplant them into plastic pots. But be careful when transplanting. Make sure you do not cut or tear the roots, and always sterilize the pots before replanting. Some pots, especially used ones, may still have bugs or bacteria in them, thriving on old soil.
Regardless of your method, the most important thing to do is keep your plants moist throughout their journey. Aside from giving them a good watering, you can try wrapping the soil tops with sphagnum moss soaked overnight. Also, wrap your pots in newspaper and then burlap. Leaves and stems can also be wrapped (loosely) in burlap to avoid breakage.
An alternative to transporting the entire plant would be to take only 'cuttings' of your favorites. Cuttings (small clippings of your plants) can be wrapped in wet moss and again in newspaper. Then place the wrapped cuttings in unsealed ziploc bags and put them into cardboard boxes ready for transportation.
With a little special attention your plants will continue to grow and flourish in their new home.
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