Helpful Tips Houseplants Moving With Pets Pet Air Travel Pet Car Travel

Helpful Moving Tips You want your move to be as easy and stress-free as possible, and so do we. That's why Graebel compiled a list of important things you can do to ensure the success of your relocation. Please review each tip in detail so you're well-prepared to experience the smoothest move you've ever had! Show everything to the Surveyor during your in-home inspection - items that will be moved and those that will not. Should you have any question or concern at any time, contact our relocation expert, your Customer Service Coordinator. If you need assistance after normal business hours, call the toll-free number printed on the enclosed HOTLINE card. Read the information provided in your pre-move package thoroughly to be sure you understand the information. Your Coordinator will answer any questions. You must determine the value of your household goods for transit protection. Your Coordinator will explain your options, and your Surveyor will help you estimate the amount of coverage needed for your household. This process ensures your goods are fully-protected during the move, and can also serve as an updated inventory for your homeowner's policy. Moving is a good time to dispose of unwanted items. Consider a garage sale. You, or another designated individual, must be present during pcking, loading, unloading and unpacking. If possible, get a babysitter to care for small children during the move, so you are accessible to the crew. Secure your small valuables off premises before the first pack day. Graebel is not liable for and cannot move jewelry, coin collections, airplane tickets, tax documents, credit cards, etc. It is your responsibility to understand and participate in the inventory process. Ask your driver to explain all notations, etc. before you sign the inventory form. By signing, you are agreeing with the driver on the condition of your furniture. Make certain your phone lines are kept operable during pack and load day. If you have a cell phone, be sure to provide the number to your Coordinator. This will enable us to contact you to verify everything is going as planned. Prepare to have the telephone in your new home operable delivery day. We must be able to reach you to ensure a smooth delivery to your new home. Make sure your Coordinator knows how and where to reach you while your household goods are in transit to your new home. During delivery, set up a small table (cartons can be used) as your writing surface for the inventory check-in process. You must check-in all items as they are unloaded and note exceptions (this is critical) for any missing and/or damaged item. If you cannot be present during this process, please notify us and have a designated person on-site. If items are not properly checked in and exceptions noted, it could make a claim more difficult to process. We highly recommend two people be present at your new home during delivery. One person to check in the inventory and the other to direct furniture placement. If you request unpacking, it will be scheduled for the week day after delivery. Graebel offers two options: Complete unpacking of items out of cartons then placing on the nearest flat surface; and complete unpacking & placement, which includes placing the items at your discretion. Both services include debris removal and must be authorized by your company. Ask your Customer Service Coordinator for details. Our goal is to provide you with a smooth, stress-free relocation. Should you have any question at any time, please call us. We are here to help you. While Graebel does not provide service to move your plants or pets, this section provides answers on how to do-it-yourself, as well as a list of additional resources you may find handy. If you don't find the answer you need, your Customer Service Coordinator can point you in the right direction. Back to top Houseplants Moving is very stressful for plants. Consider giving them to friends, hospitals, libraries, or selling them. If you decide to move them, these guidelines, provided by the American Moving & Storage Association, will help ensure your plants arrive at your new home in the best condition possible. Professional Moving It is up to your driver whether or not he/she will move your plants. However, Graebel can only move plants if the distance is less than 150 miles and/or delivery is completed within 24 hours of loading and no storage, enroute servicing or watering is required. Graebel DOES NOT assume any liability for plants. Do-It-Yourself Tips If planning to move houseplants across state lines, check Federal and state regulations. Plant quarantines may be in effect in certain areas to restrict movement of plants that may harbor destructive pests. - Shock: Some houseplants are susceptible to shock when moving. The distance moved or time in transit doesn't make the shock greater - it simply will take the plant longer to recover. - Darkness/Light: When other conditions are favorable, houseplants can tolerate darkness for up to a week. But plants left in darkness too long "etiolate" or start to put out abnormal growth more susceptible to disease. When first exposing plants to light after a lengthy period in darkness, limit sun exposure the first few days. - Temperature: This is the most central factor in moving houseplants. Temperatures below 35F or above 95-100F for over an hour can be fatal. Plants in wrapped cartons will withstand quite a temperature variation. - Water: Plants should be moist when prepared for transport. Most can survive up to 10 days without watering and suffer little harm. Back to top Moving With Pets Pets have an instinctive fear of new surroundings, so you will want to help them adjust quickly. Following these tips, provided by the American Moving & Storage Association, will help ensure your pets will make the transition as smoothly as possible. Pre-planning for your pet's transfer should begin as soon as you know you're going to move. Pets cannot be shipped on the moving truck, therefore, Graebel has the following suggestions to help you and your four-legged friends. If the pet travels with you, it will retain a sense of identity. However, pets can become frightened and bolt out of open doors and windows. Keep your pet on a leash when outside your car or hotel. Whether your pet travels with you or by another means, it should wear a special identification tag. Write the pet's name, your name, and a destination address, or that of a friend or relative, in case you need to be reached. Except for Seeing Eye Dogs accompanying blind persons, pets are not permitted on buses and trains. Therefore, if a seeing eye dog is accompanying someone, the bus or train company must be notified in advance just as one would notify an airline to secure the dog's passage. If you decide to ship your pet by air, make arrangements ahead of time regarding delivery to and pickup from the airports. Boarding may be necessary. Check the airline's requirements to see if your pet can travel in a carrier that can be kept under a seat in the cabin or must travel as airfreight. Consider sending smaller pets such as birds, hamsters, gerbils and tropical fish by air express. Airline freight departments or pet stores can supply shipping containers. Tropical fish should be packed by a local pet shop specializing in them. Consult with your veterinarian concerning mild sedation of your pet during the trip. Unusual Pets You can transport your unusual and exotic pets such as monkeys, snakes, lizards, alligators and skunks by air (as long as you adhere to the airline crating requirements) or in your car. But keep in mind many states have specific "wild animal" entry regulations. Check with the state regulatory agency to determine if your pet is allowed. Premove Vet Checkup Before the move, it's wise to make an appointment with your veterinarian for a general checkup. Be sure to: Obtain your pet's medical records Inquire about sedation Secure health certificates Apply for entry permits (if needed) Ask for a reference to a veterinarian in your new city Back to top Pet Air Travel Checklist Make reservations well in advance. Follow airline instructions. Obtain a shipping container a week or two in advance. Familiarize your pet with it by placing it inside for a few minutes each day. Gradually lengthen the time until the pet is at ease. Carefully schedule boarding and shipping arrangements for your pet to assure it is well cared for until you are able to receive it at your new home. Feed the pet no less than five or six hours before flight time, and give a drink of water no less than two hours before flight. Freezing water in the pet carrier's water dish can help satisfy its needs during the trip! Get the pet to the air/freight terminal in time - 1 hour early if your pet is accompanying you, two hours if shipping the pet. Be certain names, addresses, and telephone numbers of persons responsible for the pet at origination and destination are clearly marked on the container and on the pet's ID tag. Notify the person receiving the pet that it is on the way. Give them the flight and waybill number. Pets can usually be picked up within 90 minutes of flight arrival. Use the air waybill number when making inquiries. Back to top Pet Car Travel Checklist If your dog or cat is not used to traveling by car, make short trips with the pet a week or two in advance of the trip to accustom it to motion and to teach it how to behave. Dogs should be taught to lie quietly, keep their heads inside and not annoy the driver or passengers. Don't let your dog stick his head in the wind. It can irritate eyes and cause problems. Cats are often frightened of car travel, but they adjust quickly. Some persons allow the cat to find its own place in the car; others feel it is best to confine a cat to its own carrier. Folding kennels or crates especially designed for station wagons can be most useful for dogs and cats. Accustom your pet to being on a leash, always use it when traveling. Your pets can bolt into traffic or become lost in a strange place if not properly restrained. If you must stop overnight, check in advance to find a motel that will permit your pet to spend the night. Be sure your pet is properly restrained and its rabies tag firmly attached. Pet travel kit: pet food, food and water dishes, can opener (if needed), a few treats, a favorite toy, a blanket, comb or brush. Also, to be on the safe side: a sedative (if prescribed by your vet), paper towels, spray room deodorant (if you will be staying overnight at a hotel or motel), a scooper and plastic bag to clean up after your pet. Back to top