How to Move With Pets to San Antonio
San Antonio is an excellent place to live with your pets, since it's famous for its parks, neighborhoods, and pet-friendly outdoor areas. But the process of moving can be stressful – especially if you've got furry friends to take into account. We'll walk you through the most important steps you need to take to move your pets to San Antonio in this complete guide.
We'll go over everything you need to know to make the move easy and stress-free, from getting your pets ready for the trip to finding the best pet-friendly neighborhoods and storage options. Lockaway Storage also has safe, flexible storage choices that can make your moving process even easier if you need a place to store your things while you move.
Preparing Your Pets for the Move
If you're moving to San Antonio with pets, the first thing you should do is make sure your pets are ready for the trip. Moving can be stressful for both people and their pets. Prepare your animals for the move by doing the following:
Schedule a Vet Visit
Your pets should get a checkup at the vet before you move to San Antonio. This will make sure they are healthy and up to date on their shots, which your new neighborhood or city may require. If your pet gets nervous easily, your vet may also suggest medicines or other ways to make the move less stressful. If you're moving to San Antonio from another state, ask your vet about any health issues that are unique to the area, like whether your pet needs different vaccines or extra care for the warm weather and outdoors in Texas.
Update Pet ID Tags and Microchips
It's very important to put your new San Antonio address and phone number on your pet's ID tags and microchip. Moving to a new and unfamiliar place makes animals much more likely to get lost. If you lose your pet, it will be easier to find them again if you have up-to-date information. Make sure you always have a copy of this information on-hand if needed, and not with the moving truck.
Gradually Introduce Packing
Animals can tell when you're stressed out because you're moving. Do not start packing all at once. Instead, do a little at a time to reduce stress. Let your pets get used to moving boxes before you move them in. You can also maintain a routine for your pet, keeping feeding times and walks consistent, to keep them comfortable even though things are changing around them.
Traveling With Your Pets
Plan your move to San Antonio in a way that causes you the least amount of stress once your pets are ready. Take these tips into account for a smoother trip, whether you're going by car or by plane:
Traveling by Car
Driving will be the most common way for people moving to San Antonio to transport their pets. Here are some ways to make the trip more pleasant:
Crates or Carriers
Make sure your pets are safe inside carriers or cages. This keeps them safe in case of unexpected stops and stops them from roaming around the car, which could be dangerous.
Frequent Breaks
Plan to stop often so your pets can stretch, go to the bathroom, and drink water. Taking breaks is very important for pets on long drives.
Comfort Items
Bringing your pet's favorite blankets or toys will help them relax on the trip.
Test Trips
You may want to take a few shorter drives with your pet in the car to see how they feel about driving. Do they get carsick? Overstimulated? These are good things to know ahead of time.
Plan Overnight Stops
If you plan to stay the night on your trip, look for places along the way that allow pets to make the trip easy.
Traveling by Plane
If you need to fly to move to San Antonio from a faraway place, make sure you know the pet policy for flying on the plane. Some pets can travel in carriers in the cabin, while others need to be put in the cargo hold with other pets (or won't be allowed on the plane at all). Make sure that the airline approves the carriers you bring and that they're comfortable for your pets. Also, remember to plan your flights for cooler times of the day to keep your pets from overheating.
If you have lizards or similar pets, you'll need to send them ahead by mail – read guides for air travel with a reptile to make sure you're doing everything that's needed for your cold-blooded companion.
Finding Pet-Friendly Neighborhoods in San Antonio
As soon as you get to San Antonio, you need to find a neighborhood that's a good fit for you and your pet. San Antonio is a great place for dogs because it has many parks, walking trails, and neighborhoods that allow pets. Some of the best places to live with pets are:
Alamo Heights
A great neighborhood for dog owners who love to walk their pets every day, Alamo Heights has streets lined with trees and places that are easy to walk. Both the San Antonio Zoo and Brackenridge Park are close by and have lots of open room for pets to run and play.
Stone Oak
Families with pets will love living in this suburbia area. Stone Oak has enormous homes, nearby parks, and stores that are pet-friendly. The streets in Stone Oak are known for being quiet, which makes it a lovely spot to walk your dogs – or keep an indoor pet without worrying that the sound will disturb it.
Southtown
Southtown is an urban area that is pet-friendly, and many businesses in the area welcome pets. It's close to downtown. Many people like to take their dogs along the San Antonio River Walk, which is close by.
The Dominion
If you want to live in a more upscale neighborhood, The Dominion has big homes with lots of yard room for outdoor pets, as well as parks and walking trails.
When picking a neighborhood, think about how close it is to vet clinics and pet stores. If you have a dog you'll be taking for walks, make sure there are walkable spaces nearby.
Unpacking and Settling In With Pets
Once you get to your new San Antonio home, help your pets get used to it by making it as similar to their old home as possible. To make them feel at ease, put their blankets, toys, and food bowls out right away. Keep eating, playing, and walking them at the same times every day to make the change easier.
Lockaway Storage makes it easy to store your things while you get settled, whether you're moving or just need some time to unpack. With extra room, you can keep your new home clean and safe for pets while you unpack at your own pace. Take a look at our list of San Antonio storage facilities to see how we can help make your moving journey easier!
