Moving With Pets

Moving doesn't have to be a reason for giving up an animal that is a part of your life and that you love. 

For cats in a new house, be sure to place several liter boxes throughout to help prevent marking while the pet adjusts.

Take your dog around the neighborhood as soon as you arrive to help him get used to his new surroundings.  This way, if the dog were to get lost he'd have a better chance of finding the new house and getting home to you.

In our Region, you must license dogs and cats that are four months old or older residing in Charlotte, Mint Hill, Pineville and unincorporated areas of Mecklenburg County annually.  The license fee is $7.50 for a spayed or neutered animal and $25 for fertile animals.  This law also applies to ferrets within the Charlotte City limits.

North Carolina also requires that dogs and cats four months old and older be vaccinated  against rabies.

For more information and rules and regulations for pet owners, please call Animal Control at 704/336-3166.

For Boarding and Veterinary Services try any of these or consult the yellow pages:

The Animal Hospital of Cornelius

704/892-1585

18726 W. Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC

Lake Norman Animal Hospital

704/664-7387

Highway 150, Mooresville, NC

East Lincoln Veterinary Clinic

704/483-2931

1269 Highway 16 N., Denver, NC

Little Mountain Veterinary Clinic

704/489-2444

5923 East Highway 150, Denver, NC

Give your pet a familiar object to keep with them during the move and for when you arrive.

Watch over your dog and cat to make sure it doesn't sneak away when a door opens the first few weeks after you move to a new neighborhood.

Give a dog plenty of exercise -- a good dog is a tired dog!

On moving day, give the animal a piece of your clothing you recently wore or something with your scent for them to sleep with during the journey so he will feel more relaxed.

Give your pet some quiet time with plenty of space with their toys and things when you arrive at the new house.

Keep their routine of feeding and walking as much as possible.

Introduce them to each room but don't give them full run right away; let them explore the new home gradually.