The summer months are traditionally the time when lots of people move house and the RSPCA has teamed up with a well-known housebuilder to offer advice to make it easier for animals.

As part of National Pet Month in April, Barratt and David Wilson Homes hase teamed up with the animal charity, the RSPCA, to provide pet owners with advice to make moving home as stress-free as possible for animals.

Alsager veterinary practice, Vets4Pets in Lawton Road, commended the move saying it was good to see two organisations working together to make moving easier.

Carl May, owner of Vets4Pets in Alsager said: "It's great to see two organisations collaborating in order to make what is a very stressful time, for humans and animals, that bit easier. "

Sales director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes, Gavin Powell said: "To ensure our customers' home moving journey is as smooth as possible, we've teamed up with the RSPCA to offer some top tips to keep pets happy during the move."

The RSPCA, which has a branch in Cheshire, is encouraging buyers to plan ahead and minimise the impact on pets.

Dominika Jagoda, Companion Animals Expert at the RSPCA, said: "Moving house can be a stressful time for everyone, including pets, as they get used to settling into their new home.

"Pet owners making a move should plan ahead and take the time to think about the best way to move a pet, in a way which will minimise the stress as much as possible.

Dominika added: "Cats, in particular, may find a house move stressful as they can become attached to where they live. At your new house, keep your cat indoors for a minimum of two to three weeks before letting them out.

"This gives them time to get familiar with the new house. When you first let them out make sure it's before their mealtime.

"If they are hungry, you should be able to call them back for their favourite food. Let them go out for short periods to start with and build this up, as this will allow your cat to become more confident.

"It is now a legal requirement for owned cats in England to be microchipped, so make sure your cats are microchipped, and your contact details are up to date.

"It is also a legal requirement to have your dog microchipped, and it is so important to make sure you update your address details on the microchipping database.

This can ensure pets are returned to their owners if they get lost in a new area. "On moving day, pack all your pet's things - including food and water bowls, food, bed and toys - into one clearly labelled box so that you can find it easily when you arrive at your new home.

"Getting out things they know, particularly things with familiar scents will help minimise their stress."

Here are the RSPCA's top tips for a happy move:

Plan the Journey

Make sure your pets are fit to travel and if in any doubt, contact your vet. If you own an animal that is pregnant or unwell, seek advice from a vet before transporting them.

Plan your route to minimise journey time and maintain suitable comfort and environmental conditions. Never leave an animal unattended in a vehicle.

Reduce Stressful Situations

Try to keep your pet away from all the commotion of packing, unpacking, moving and cleaning to help reduce their stress.

Ask a Vet about Calming Products

Speak to your vet about artificial pheromone products, for example Feliway for cats and Adaptil for dogs – these may help to make your pet feel more secure and settled in their new home.

Update Your Details

Update your contact details with your pet insurers, vets, microchip and any ID tags.

You may need to register with a new vet, depending on how far you are moving.

Love and Affection

Pets, just like us, need time to settle into their new surroundings, so showing them extra love, attention and most importantly reassurance will help them warm to their new home.

Keep a Routine

When in the new house, try to keep to the same routine with your pets as you had in your previous home.

Vets4Pets can be contacted by calling 01270 871810 or through their website here or Facebook page here

Alsager Nub News is proud that Vets for Pets Alsager is a sponsor of our news service as we revealed in our article here 

It is thanks to the generosity of organisations like Vets for Pets Alsager that we can continue our mission to revive local news, both in Alsager and across the UK.   

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