As a military spouse, I’ve had the opportunity to PCS (Permanent Change of Station) with pets 7 times over 15 years. I have always moved with dogs and horses, and at one point decided they didn’t complicate things enough, so we added some cats and chickens. I’m not sure if the chickens will be making the journey for our next PCS, but the rest of the crew will be along for the ride. 

In my experience, moving with animals is a lot like moving with kids, but actually the animals are a little easier because my pets tend to be a little quieter than my three boys. So how can you have a successful move when you have a furry friend?…Plan ahead! I like to keep a separate bag with snacks, food for a few days, medications or supplements, poop bags, and water easily accessible. Consider this your pet go-bag. It’s never a bad idea to have a copy of pertinent vaccines and paperwork available also. I also recommend snapping a picture of this to have as a digital record just in case. We have all had those situations where we get delayed or a vehicle breaks down and you don’t want to be scrambling for important paperwork if you have to board your animals for a few nights. 

Next, plan out your route. This can include planning for some fun pet friendly stops whether that be National Parks, dog parks, or even pet-friendly malls or stores. In my experience, Petsmart, Petco, Tractor Supply, Lowes, or Home Depot are all great indoor spots for friendly pets to frolic. Everyone will appreciate the opportunity to stretch their legs. This may apply a little less for our feline friends. This is a great opportunity for everyone to have a potty break and refresh for the next leg of the journey. Also, be sure to know what pet friendly hotels are available. We’ve had great luck with LaQuinta because they are typically pet friendly and don’t charge an extra fee for your furry friends! In general, route planning allows you to ensure success and less stress because you know what options you have during your ideal stopping points. 

Cats deal with stress and change a little differently than dogs. Lets be honest, most dogs are just so happy to go for a ride in the vehicle they don’t even care that this may be a 17 hour ride that doesn’t end at the dog park, but our feline friends typically feel a little differently. My cats always appreciate quiet during the drive. I’ve had great luck in discussing my concerns about travel with my veterinarian. They may suggest helpful medications for anxiety or sedation if you have a nervous traveler. My experiences as a Veterinary Technician also have led me to use several pheromone-friendly products like FELIWAY. They make pheromone collars, diffusers, and sprays. Another thing that sounds kind of silly but can alleviate some stress is some trial runs. Actually take your cat on a drive that doesn’t involve the vet. This is why most cats have little to no desire to go in their carrier. They are smart enough to understand that evil little box equals needles and pokes. These trial runs can show your cat that the carrier can be a safe place that doesn’t always end badly. We love our pets and these simple things can really make a difference. We all want our feline friend to have a journey that is as calm as possible. Let’s be honest, there’s not much calm about moving your entire life and family across multiple states or even at times across the country. However, some simple planning can help to alleviate the stress that our animals face and ensure we’re setting ourselves up for success as well! 

Horses add a totally different layer of stress and expense while moving, but I’ll be honest with you, most of the time, we’ve found it much easier and less stressful to pay a reputable hauling service for this task. In looking at prices, I definitely recommend getting a quote from several carriers as their prices can vary widely. The good news, however, is that hauling your horses may actually be a bit cheaper than you would imagine. After factoring in things like extra stops overnight and fuel expenses towing a full trailer (assuming you have a trailer), paying a hauler actually does not cost too much more. For us, this also allows us to utilize our horse trailer to move our essentials, like beds, clothes, and my husband’s prized 75” television! 

This may be a good segue into Personally-Procured Moves (PPM, formerly known as “DITY” moves), which can be a great choice given the right circumstances, but I’ll save that one for another day!

Learn more about PCSing with pets. Visit our sister website PCS with Pets!