This is true of a move. The relocation not only affects the human members of the family, but also the pets. Therefore, it may be necessary for a pet owner to consider securing the services of a professional pet mover.

While such people can be located in the Yellow Pages of a phone book, one may wish to first check with other pet owners, the local veterinarian, or even the neighborhood groomer. In this way, the pet owner will have more than just a listing in the phone book to go by.

A company that provides pet moving services will certainly be knowledgeable of all laws, guidelines, and regulations regarding transporting a pet from one location to another, particularly if it involves the crossing of state or international boundaries. That company will make sure the pet owner is aware of this information; however, it is up to the owner to do whatever is necessary to assure that both the pet and the owner are in compliance.

Advance planning is crucial. The pet may need to have a current veterinary visit on record, as well as receiving any necessary immunizations. Additionally, the pet mover will have to be contacted and a move time scheduled.

Make sure all conditions—weather and otherwise—are going to be favorable at the time the pet is moved. It may be necessary to change plans or re-schedule for a better time.

Speak with the person who will be responsible for moving your pet before the move. Make sure you are comfortable with that person being with your pet.

Even a short move from one city to another can present challenges. You may be familiar with certain aspects of that city, but there will still be differences. They may be as minor as the location of the neighborhood supermarket or as major as the bus number and route that your child will take to get to school.

For this reason, relocation guides can often prove invaluable. They can allow one to become familiar with the area, often to such an extent that once the move is accomplished, the family will already “feel at home”.

A relocation guide will assist families with children in deciding which neighborhood is the best to live in terms of schools, safety, and available activities. A young, childless couple, on the other hand, may want to know where other couples like them live, and what amenities are available to them.

A church-going family may want to know exactly how many churches of their denomination or religion are available in a specific location. A relocation guide can assist in them finding that information.

If a move involves leaving one state and going to another, a relocation guide for the city in which they will be living may really prove invaluable. Some guides may offer statistics concerning school systems, crime figures, and other demographics. All this information will serve to help a family decide where the best place to live would be.

Some relocation guides may allow the future resident to provide certain biographical information, if one so chooses. From that information, the publishers of the guide may be able to actually “tailor-make” a guide specifically for that particular family.

Rooms should be emptied individually. A re-check should be done, with attention to closets and cupboards, to ensure that everything has been removed. The room should then be swept, mopped, or vacuumed, if necessary, and the door closed.

It should be understood that a closed door means a room is emptied, cleaned, and done with. This way, there will be no chance that dirt is tracked into a clean room, or that anything is inadvertantly set down in a room and possibly forgotten.

It may be wise to keep some empty boxes and bags on hand, in the event that a closet was overlooked, or some things simply could not be packed until the last minute. The containers should be clearly labeled, and care taken to ensure that they are loaded.

Any necessary items, such as supplies needed for infant or child care, or any medications that must be taken regularly throughout the day, should be kept separate from all other items. Additionally, important papers, documents, or especially valuable items should be kept separate, secure, and accessible to the owner.

Utilities should be turned off, or arrangements should be made for them to be discontinued within the next few days. The former occupant may also want to take meter readings, and ensure that there no water damage can occur while the house is vacant.

Last looks should be taken, memories stored for future recollection, one chapter closed, and another one opened in life.

It will probably take approximately four weeks for packing to be completed. Therefore, thought should be given as to what can be packed immediately, and what may need to be packed later.

It is always a good idea to begin the process of elimination before any actual packing is begun. There is no need to pack something if it is not going to be moved and used in the new location.

Once all unnecessary items have been taken care of, seasonal clothing and items as well as belongings in any lesser-used rooms can be packed. Books, videos, DVDs, and things of that nature can be packed, as can items in any garages, outbuildings, or storage areas. Once the items in garages, outbuildings, or storage areas are packed, the resulting space can be used to store the already packed items.

Essential items, of course, will have to be packed over the last few days; however, bedroom items that can be spared can be packed. This can include extra bed clothing, and decorative throws or pillows. Likewise, clothing can be packed, especially if one takes into account the wardrobe needs over the final weeks and plans accordingly.

Home offices should be packed with consideration to fulfilling of current commitments. Those items that must be used daily should be left out, but other items, such as old files and lesser-used equipment can be packed.

The kitchen should not be packed until as close to the actual move date as possible. Bathroom items and other personal belongings may have to be packed on the very day of moving.

If at all possible, packing should be spread out over a reasonable length of time. Packing is hard and not much fun; therefore, breaking the chore down into smaller pieces will help. “Downsizing”, of course, should be accomplished before packing is even begun.

Large cupboards and storage spaces should be packed first. Care should be taken not to forget attics and basements during this packing time. Once the items have been packed, these areas can be used for storing the packed belongings.

Items that are not needed in the near future as well as those not used very often, or are seasonal should be packed first, also. This will actually free up space that can be used to stored packed goods, if necessary.

Packing should be done with consideration to how often something is used. If careful consideration is given, there will be no need to frequently pack and unpack boxes, or feel as though one is living out of a box.

Children’s toys that are not being played with as much can be packed early. It is important to make sure, however, that any necessary “lovies” remain accessible to children. Likewise, favorite toys should not be put away too soon. Children will need to retain a sense of security during this otherwise stressful time.

Although parting with items may be hard, one would be wise to consider the space in the new home. It may be necessary to rid oneself of some more non-essential items.

The entire family is affected by a relocation decision, especially an overseas move, particularly if the move is not military-related. For that reason, the decision should be discussed with all family members.

Children should be told that an overseas relocation has been offered, and care should be taken to listen to the reactions. Even if the move is inevitable, the fact that the children were included will go a long way towards helping them adjust.

ALLEVIATING THE FEARS OF AN OVERSEAS MOVE

Once the decision to move overseas has been made, children should be informed as soon as possible. At this time, the children should be encouraged to let the parents know of any concerns or fears they may have concerning the move. All questions should be answered to the best of the parents’ abilities.

Learning as much as possible about where the family will be living is one of the best ways to alleviate worry and fear. Adults will benefit from this as well as children

PLANNING THE OVERSEAS MOVE

An overseas move involves more than just traveling from the former residence to the new country. Consideration will have to be given to all aspects the situation.

Arrangements will need to be made for the packing, storing, and shipping of belongings. A professional moving company that operates internationally will probable be needed, as that company will be aware of all laws, rules, regulations, and stipulations involved in an overseas move.

Further, the decision of whether or not to move the entire family at one time may be faced. It may be necessary for only one family member to initially move to the new location, with the others following as soon as the funds are available, and, of course, living arrangements have been obtained.

THE ACTUAL MOVE

No moving experience is easy, but an overseas move has its own concerns. There will be necessary adjustments. However, if one remembers that things and people are different, it will make this process easier.