Moving house unsettles people, and it unsettles animals even more. A dog that sees boxes appearing knows something is changing, a cat may vanish at the first sign of a van, and a small flock of hens in the garden adds a whole extra job to the list. Whether you are moving within Herefordshire or arriving from further afield, a little planning keeps animals safe and lets everyone else concentrate on the move.
In the weeks before
Keep routines as normal as possible while the house fills with boxes. Feed and walk dogs at their usual times, and leave a cat’s favourite sleeping places undisturbed until near the end. Introduce carriers and crates early, leaving them open with a blanket inside so they become familiar rather than frightening.
This is also the time for admin. Update microchip details with the new address, order new identity tags, and check your pet insurance covers the new home. If you are moving out of the area, find a vet near the new house and ask your current vet for records. Animals that become anxious when travelling may benefit from advice from your vet in good time.
Arrangements for the day itself
A moving day means open doors, heavy furniture and strangers coming and going for hours. For most dogs and cats, the kindest option is to be somewhere else entirely: with a friend, a relative or a boarding kennel or cattery for the day. If that is not possible, set aside one quiet room, empty it first, put a clear sign on the door and keep the animal inside with water, bedding and a litter tray.
Tell the removal crew about any animals on arrival. A good team will keep an eye on closed doors, but they cannot know about a cat hiding under a bed unless you tell them.
Hens and other outdoor animals
Rural and semi-rural homes across Herefordshire often come with chickens, ducks or rabbits. These need their own plan:
- Shut hens in the coop the evening before, when they have gone to roost, so they are easy to catch in the morning.
- Use ventilated pet carriers or sturdy boxes with air holes and straw, and move them in a car rather than the removal van.
- Clean and dismantle the coop and run in advance if they are coming with you, and set them up at the new home before the birds arrive.
- Keep birds enclosed for a few days so they learn where home is.
If you keep poultry, check the current guidance on GOV.UK about registering birds and any housing measures in place, as these can change.
Choosing a calm, well-organised move
The quicker and more orderly the loading, the shorter the disruption for animals. Ask removal firms how they would plan the day and whether furniture will be dismantled on site. As one local example, WHG Removals, which carries out Leominster removals as well as moves across the rest of Herefordshire, offers different levels of house removal service, from one person and a van to a fuller service that includes packing and unpacking. Its team dismantles and reassembles furniture such as beds and wardrobes, which helps get a home back to normal quickly.
Settling in at the new house
Before letting animals explore, check the garden for gaps in fences, open gates and ponds. Set up a familiar corner with their own bedding, bowls and toys, which carry the smell of the old house. Keep cats indoors for a period so they bond with the new home rather than trying to return to the old one; your vet can advise how long.
Walk dogs on a lead around the new area for the first few days, and keep their meal and walk times the same. Expect a little unusual behaviour, from restlessness to refusing food for a day or two, and contact your vet if it continues.
Animals cannot understand why their world has been packed into boxes, but they take their cue from the people around them. Keep them out of the bustle, keep their routines steady and give them time, and they will soon claim their favourite spots in the new home.
