Moving With Pets? The No-BS Plan to Keep Them Safe, Calm and Sell Your Georgetown Home Fast

How do I move with pets?

Moving with pets? Read this first — the no-BS plan that keeps them calm, keeps your sale on track, and gets you out of the house without drama.

Why this matters (and what most people get wrong)

If you’re selling a home in Georgetown, ON, and moving with pets, you have two problems: keeping your animals safe and keeping your home market-ready. Ignore either and you lose buyers, time, or the one thing you can’t replace—your pet’s trust.

This is a direct, step-by-step plan for sellers in Georgetown. No fluff. Follow it and your pets stay calm, your showings stay clean, and your move happens on schedule.

Quick checklist (read now, act later)

• 6–8 weeks out: Book boarding/daycare if needed. Book professional cleaners. Schedule vet visit. Update microchip info.
• 4 weeks out: Start staged packing away pet items. Crate-train if you need to. Research local pet sitters and daycares in Halton Hills.
• 2 weeks out: Deep-clean carpets and upholstery with enzyme cleaners. Replace or clean litter boxes and beds on a rotation schedule.
• 1 week out: Create a moving-day pet kit. Confirm boarding or sitter. Tell your agent about pets so showings are scheduled with pet moves in mind.
• Moving day: Keep pets with you or in pre-arranged care. Keep routine. Use a quiet room or trusted sitter for showings during packing and final walkthrough.

6–8 weeks before: Plan like a pro

1. Book a vet appointment now. Ask for records and a written medication list. If moving long-distance, ask about motion-sickness meds or calming options. Only use sedation under vet guidance.
2. Register or update microchip and licensing. Update contact details with Halton Region/municipal pet licensing services and the microchip company. That simple step prevents permanent loss.
3. Research and reserve boarding, daycares, or trusted sitters in Georgetown and Halton Hills. Good places fill fast during weekends and summer.
4. Start basic crate or carrier training for the moving crate. If your dog isn’t crate-trained, begin ten-minute sessions daily so the crate is a place of calm, not a punishment.

4 weeks before: Prep the house and pets for showings

1. Declutter pet gear but pack carefully. Buyers need to picture a neutral space. Pack toys, beds, and most bowls. Leave one cozy bed for photos if you must.
2. Deep-clean for odors. Use enzymatic cleaners on carpets, upholstery, and any accident spots. Pet smells are the first thing buyers notice. Invest in professional carpet cleaning before listing.
3. Remove evidence — but don’t fake a lifestyle. Put food bowls, litter boxes, and pet beds out of sight during showings. For buyers who ask, be honest: “We own a dog/cat.”
4. Manage hair and pests: Brush pets daily, vacuum every day before open houses, and treat for fleas/ticks if needed—consult your vet.

2 weeks before: Finalize logistics and training

1. Final vet check if needed for vaccines or travel certificates.
2. Confirm boarding, dog walkers, and sitter schedules. Get backups.
3. Pack a moving-day pet kit: 3–5 days of food, bowls, leash, harness, cat litter and scoop, all meds, pet first-aid, a towel, favorite toy, recent photo of the pet, vet contact info.
4. If a showing conflicts with a pet’s routine, reschedule. Your real estate agent should accommodate. Buyers won’t be put off by a short hold for a pet to be moved safely.

Moving day: Execute with zero drama

1. Keep pets with you whenever possible. Most pets do better with their owner present than in a noisy moving truck.
2. If you can’t, use pre-booked boarding or a sitter. Drop off early, not during the chaos.
3. Keep a quiet room: Put the pet in a single low-traffic room with water, toys, and a crate. Post a sign so movers don’t open the door.
4. For dogs: take a long walk right before the movers arrive. Tired dogs are calm dogs.
5. For cats: place them in a secure carrier and take them to a friend’s house or the car until the house is empty. Cats hide and get stressed; don’t leave them loose.

Transporting pets: short trips vs long-distance

• Short drives (<4 hours): Use a secure crate or harness. Plan one extra stop for water and bathroom breaks. Never leave a pet in a parked car.
• Long-distance by car: Create a schedule: drive 3–4 hours, stop 20–30 minutes for exercise, water, and bathroom. Keep air conditioning on for hot days.
• Air travel: Check airline policies. Avoid cargo travel if possible. If unavoidable, consult your vet and use an IATA-approved crate.

Staging and selling: keep buyers comfortable and your pet safe

1. Remove the smell. Buyers reject homes on scent alone. Professional cleaning + enzyme products = fast ROI.
2. Hide pet-specific clutter. No bowls in entryways, no litter boxes in bathrooms during showings.
3. Use neutral staging: plants, neutral throws, no pet hair. If your pet is the reason buyers call, be honest but keep the living spaces neutral.
4. Offer a Pet Disclosure sheet. Short, factual: type, basic behavior, license updated, last vet visit. Buyers appreciate transparency.

Local resources for Georgetown, ON sellers (use these)

• Halton Region animal services and licensing: update your pet’s municipal records before you move.
• Local vets in Georgetown: confirm records and get travel notes if moving longer distances.
• Boarding/daycare: reserve in advance, especially weekend and summer slots.
• Local pet sitters: check reviews and ask for insurance and references.

If you need recommendations, I can connect you to trusted local boarding and sitter options — call or email below.

After the move: help pets settle fast

1. Keep routines. Feed and walk on the same schedule you used before the move.
2. Create a scent bridge. Bring a blanket or toy from the old home and place it in the new sleeping area.
3. Slow introductions. Let pets explore one room at a time. Keep the first night calm.
4. Find a new vet and register with local municipal services within the first week.

Selling tips when you love animals (don’t sabotage your sale)

• Be proactive about odor and visible cleaning.
• Keep pets out of photos—clean, staged images sell faster.
• Offer flexible showing windows but protect your pet’s routine.
• Mention pet-friendly features in the listing only if they are a selling point (fenced yard, pet door) — but balance this with neutral staging.

Call to action

If you’re selling in Georgetown and planning a move with pets, get local, practical help. I handle home sales and the logistics of moving with animals in Halton Hills every week. I’ll give you a customized timeline and local vendor list so the sale doesn’t get delayed by pet issues.

Email: tony@sousasells.ca | Phone: 416-477-2620 | Website: https://www.sousasells.ca

FAQ — Moving with pets in Georgetown, ON (quick answers)

Q: Do I need to update my pet’s microchip when I move?
A: Yes. Update the microchip company and municipal licensing before you move. It’s the fastest way to reunite a lost pet with you.

Q: Should I board my pet during showings?
A: If you have frequent showings or an anxious pet, yes. Boarded pets create a neutral, clean environment for buyers and keep your pet stress-free.

Q: How do I remove stubborn pet odors?
A: Use enzymatic cleaners, wash fabrics, and hire professional carpet cleaners. Air purifiers and open windows help but don’t replace deep cleaning.

Q: What if my cat hides during showings?
A: Keep cats in a secure carrier at a friend’s home or in a closed room with litter and water. Never leave them loose during a showing.

Q: Can I use sedation for my pet on moving day?
A: Only under your vet’s advice. Sedation can cause complications. Many vets recommend behavior techniques and short-term anxiety meds instead.

Q: How do I find pet-friendly movers near Georgetown?
A: Ask for movers who allow pets near the property, or hire a local moving company that coordinates with pet sitters. Always keep pets out of the moving truck.

Q: My buyer wants to see the home and I have an aggressive dog. What now?
A: Disclose the dog. Arrange for boarding or a secured off-site location during showings. Safety and transparency protect you and the sale.

Q: Who pays for emergency vet if something happens while home is on market?
A: You are responsible for your pet’s care. Keep vet contact info handy and don’t leave pets unsupervised with strangers.

Q: Any Georgetown-specific advice?
A: Update your Halton Region licensing before you move. Book local boarding and sitter services early—Georgetown’s weekend demand rises quickly during selling seasons.

If you want a step-by-step plan tailored to your property and pet, I’ll put one together for you. Fast, local, practical.

Contact: tony@sousasells.ca | 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca