Love thy dog – Especially when moving home!

Moving home can be a stressful time for all concerned including our animals. The family-owned housebuilder, Miller Homes can ease the stress for humans with fantastic assistance packages such as its Miller’s Mover scheme but, urges homebuyers to spare a thought for their pets!

As the house moving season hots-up and National Pet Month comes to an end, man’s best friend tends to get pushed to the back of the mind where moving house is concerned.

Adele Hutchinson, sales liaison manager for Miller Homes Yorkshire said: “It’s unfortunate but sadly true, when moving home there are so many long priority lists that in most cases pets do come way down at the bottom. We often give our customers assistance with moving home and offer useful advice in the process, and we can also offer some top tips that can really make a difference to our furry friends.”

Miller Homes has teamed up with Yorkshire based assistance dogs charity Support Dogs to offer some useful advice on how to move home with your pets, particularly dogs. Rita Howson, director of operations at Support Dogs advises;

- Prepare a few days before the actual move. Whilst packing keep animals away from the noise and disruption, make sure dogs are preferably kept in a quiet room or garden.
- Always take your dog for a long walk before the car journey
- Don’t forget to visit the vet for a check-up before the move and attain your pet’s records to be forwarded to your new veterinarian.
- Don’t forget to get a new pet ID tag with your new address and contact phone numbers

Once in your new home;

- Put pets in a quiet room with water and food until most of the moving has been completed.
- When everything has calmed down introduce your pets to their new surroundings. Walk them through each room and pay close attention to the areas they are particular allowed to roam.
- Dogs may settle in better than cats as they are not as territorial! Most cats take about one or two weeks to settle in. During this time they should be kept indoors with a litter tray. As Miller provides fencing as standard dogs will be secure in the rear garden from the moment of moving in.
- Once cats have settled, they can be let out in the garden. It’s a good idea to let them out just before their feed time so they are more likely to return. Also if possible try to stay in the garden with them for a while, letting them know that this is their new territory which you, their owner, are also part of.
- Above all else give your animals lots of love and attention and make them feel welcome in your new home.

Adele continued: “Like your pet your home is a long term investment that will give you a lot of pleasure and security and with the help and advice offered by Miller, moving home couldn’t be easier for all concerned!”

Miller has a huge portfolio of properties throughout the region ideal for first time buyers, couples or families, with a menagerie of pets. Prices range from £75,000 to £395,000 – for more information, visit millerhomes.co.uk.