Moving house

[Catjane]

Thank you everybody!  It's nice to know that you think I'm taking a sensible approach ... it's reassuring

You could put them in a cattery for a couple of days, the moment anything is packed they will be on to you so keep them in  aslong as you trust the removal men then leaving in one room would be ok, i would have to put yellow tape and do not open signs all over the door lol

I wouldn't put them in a cattery ... Sabby would be VERY frightened and wouldn't do at all well.  I do trust the removal men though ... they were offering me ideas about how to move the cats!  They have cats of their own (they are a father and son outfit), and loved my little crew when they met them!  They are even lending me a cat box, but dropping it off this week so that my lot have a chance to get used to the smell, and put theirs on it (and I can check it over carefully to make sure it's sound).  I'll borrow my friend's box too, but my lot are used to the smell of his cat, so that should be fine

the only thing I'm a bit worried about is Sabby taking to the new area ... although it's perfect for them, and in a very quiet loation (tucked-away cul-de-sac), there are a lot of children living nearby, and Sabby is frightened of kids.  Hopefully he'll get used to the squeaky voices and not mind so much ...

[Topsy Turvey]

We left ours until last and brought them down when everything (furniture) was in place.  Opened their boxes and just let them get on with it.  Given that our stuff (and theirs) was familiar to them we didn't have any problems.  When Summer wandered upstairs hubby went with her and "talked" her through where she was.  Sasha (RIP) stayed downstairs having a look about with me then they swapped.  The main thing is that that you are going to be there with them, so I'm sure they will be fine.  Gool luck honey x

[Tiggy's Mum]

My plan is to stick them in a room here with all their stuff whilst the removal men do their job, and leave them in the old place until the move is finished, then come back for them?  I've got a cat box for each of them (begging and borrowing!) and I've changed addresses with insurance and microchips.  We're only moving about 2 miles away, so the journey shouldn't be too traumatic.  How does that sound? Any clever moving ideas that I might not think of?

If not, then wish me luck!!

That's excatly what I've done every time I've ever moved, a few times with Tiggy and once with the boys.  Last time I plastered the room the boys were in with several A4 posters such as 'DO NOT OPEN'  'NO ENTRY - CATS INSIDE' 'CATS INSIDE - DO NOT OPEN'.  I then 'locked' the door by tying the handle with a bungee rope - I think they got the hint 

I'd also invest in a Feliway plug in, if you can plug it in at the new house a few days before then all the better.  If you think the general packing and boxes everywhere will upset them then I'd get one for the old house too.

[Feline Costumier]

I would do it the way you are thinking, move them last, that way when they get to the new place, although all packed up still, all the boxes will smell familiar instantly giving a bit of reassurance.

You want to try organising moving them half way round the world! I envy you only taking them two miles down the road!

[MrsR]

Yes I always keep my lot in for 4 weeks when we move too.

[Millys Mum]

You could put them in a cattery for a couple of days, the moment anything is packed they will be on to you so keep them in  aslong as you trust the removal men then leaving in one room would be ok, i would have to put yellow tape and do not open signs all over the door lol

Then you need to keep in at the other end and i would treat like a new pet and keep in 4 weeks at least, i know other people let out after 24hrs but i wouldnt take that risk. If one went awol id never forgive myself 

[MrsR]

We have moved house quite a bit and what we have always done where possible is take the cats first, open the carrier door and let them come out on their own accord, settle them in the kitchen with their food and water bowls, beds and a few jumpers with mine and hubbies smells on, shut the door and moved everything into the house and other rooms, then once everything is in and doors all firmly shut gone in the kitchen with them and sat on the florr with them with the door still shut for half an hour then open the door and let them nose around.

We have 99% of the time never had a problem doing it this way, only once with Elvis on this last move and she didn't come out the cat carrier for an hour.   We didn't rush her though and she slowly came out and was fine then.

[Catjane]

Because the house I rent is going to be repossessed, I found I had to move, and pretty quick!

After much anguished house hunting, trying to find somewhere that will accept three cats, I finally found the purrfect place (well almost ... it just isn't old as I wanted) ... I had the cats uppermost in my mind when choosing, and have found a very cat friendly landlady, a house with catflaps, and a nice, quiet residential area.

I have tried telling my three what's going to happen, but they just look at me blankly.  I don't suppose they're going to help much with the packing, either 

Anyway, just wondered if any of you have any hot tips for moving with three furball as I've never had to do this before!  My plan is to stick them in a room here with all their stuff whilst the removal men do their job, and leave them in the old place until the move is finished, then come back for them?  I've got a cat box for each of them (begging and borrowing!) and I've changed addresses with insurance and microchips.  We're only moving about 2 miles away, so the journey shouldn't be too traumatic.  How does that sound? Any clever moving ideas that I might not think of?

If not, then wish me luck!!