While moving can be stressful for you, consider how your pets must feel when they have no idea of what is happening to them. This is particularly true for fish and birds, that can’t take comfort from sitting on your lap and being petted. Even the tamest bird that sits on your shoulder at home will fly away if you step outside with them; more so if there are noisy trucks and people trundling in and out of the home carrying furniture. So here are some tips for moving with fish and/or birds.
- If the distance is short, fish can travel in a plastic bag filled with water from their aquarium, but if you have a long distance to go they may not survive the trip. It’s better to give them away and buy new ones once you get settled.
- You will need to hold the bag rather than putting it down where it could get punctured.
- Don’t leave fish or birds in a hot car while you stop for meals or breaks, the heat could kill them.
- Birds should be kept in a small cage for the trip. Cover it with a dark cloth to help them to stay calm.
- If you have aviary birds, wait until it is dark, then take them carefully off their perches and place them into small cages. Only put two per cage and make sure they are of the same variety.
- Make sure your animals are kept cool and have water on the trip, especially birds.
- Take birds in the car and not in the removalists van.
- When you get to your new home, place the bird cages in the shade away from the noise of unloading.
- Make sure you set up the aviary in a shady, quiet place with plenty of food and water, then let the birds out of the cages. Simply place the cages in the aviary with the doors open rather than handling the birds.
- With fish, the first thing to do when you arrive in your new home is get the aquarium set up. If you are using fresh water, make sure it is the same temperature. Float the fish and bag in the water for a while, then add some water from the aquarium to the bag and leave the fish for an hour or two before allowing it out into the aquarium.
- Tip it into the aquarium along with the water from the bag.
Remember that all small animals should be kept in small dark boxes or cages when being moved around. Try not to jostle or bump these carriers because little creatures are easily frightened and can often die of fright.
