How to Move Your Pets into a New Home

Posted on April 12, 2023April 10, 2023 by Shield Insurance Agency

Nationwide | February 22, 2023 | Pets | Pet Insurance | Start A Quote Today!

Moving is stressful in itself, but it can get overwhelming if you factor in planning for your pets to make the big transition. However, you can take several steps to ensure the move goes as smoothly as possible for you and your pet. A well-laid-out plan will help you worry less during the stress of packing and relocating your household, making a move a happier and easier transition for everyone.

Why moving is stressful for pets

From a pet’s point of view, their current home is more than just their home – it’s their territory. When everything familiar to your pet gets packed up and hauled away, they can often experience significant distress. No matter how much your move will improve your pet’s life, they can’t understand why everything is being upended. For this reason, pet owners need to be sensitive to the needs of their pets during moves. [1]

Tips for moving with pets

Check out the tips below for a safer and simpler move with your animal pal.

1. Ensure that your new home or a new city is pet-friendly.

It’s a good idea to walk the neighborhood of your new home to determine whether the area is safe for your pets. Also, consider the amount of square footage your pet needs. Cats typically need more vertical space and less outside space than dogs, while dogs need space to run around and go to the bathroom outside. [2]

2. Chat with your vet.

Your veterinarian is an excellent resource for questions about reducing your pet’s anxiety levels during the move. If you’re moving out of state, it’s a good idea to visit your vet a few weeks before leaving so you can get vet recommendations, copies of your pet’s medical files, and ensure your pet is up to date on all vaccines and medication. [3]

3. Familiarize your pets with packing supplies and boxes.

Most pets aren’t big fans of change. To help ease the anxiety of moving, bring in moving boxes early and keep your animal pals in a familiar room that you plan to pack up last. [2]

4. Maintain a routine leading up to the move.

Pets are creatures of habit. To keep your pet’s stress levels down in the weeks leading up to moving, stick to the same feeding schedule, stick to regular walks or playtimes, and give them a little extra love. [3]

5. On a moving day, keep your pets in a secure and secluded space.

During the move, doors will be left open, and people will be going in and out. To keep your pet secure, place them in a kennel in a quiet part of the house or a separate closed room so they don’t run away due to fear and confusion. [3]

6. Introduce your pet to the crate.

If your pet doesn’t have much experience with a crate or carrier, get them comfortable with it before the move. First, place their food in the open crate and then shut the crate’s door during mealtime. Anything you can do to help your pet foster a positive association with the crate will save stress for both of you on a moving day. [1]

7. Pack a pet travel bag.

Reduce stress further by having all your pet’s necessities packed and easily accessible. This includes water bowls, favorite toys, a blanket, food, treats, kitty litter, and more. Don’t forget a roll of paper towels and disposable plastic bags to help with unexpected cleanups. [3]

8. Pet-proof your new home.

It’s a good idea to pet-proof your new home before introducing your pet to the house. Make sure to tuck away electrical cords, plug up nooks and close off crawl spaces where your pet could get stuck, ensure that all windows have secure screens, and secure or remove any poisonous houseplants. [2]

9. Gradually introduce your pet to the new home.

When you finally arrive at your new home, allow your pet to adjust to one new room, including their favorite toys, treats, water, and food bowls. When they seem comfortable, introduce them to other rooms in the house while keeping some doors shut. With patience, your pet will feel at home in no time. [2]

Once you arrive at your new home safely with your beloved pet, ensure you are protected with pet and home insurance.

Sources:

[1] “Guide to Moving with Household Pets: Safely Relocating your Furry, Feathered, and Scaly Friends,” Joe Robison, movebuddha.com/blog/moving-with-pets (Feb. 16, 2022).

[2] “Moving with your Pet,” aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/moving-your-pet (accessed Jan. 12, 2023).

[3] “11 Tips For Moving With Pets: The Ultimate Guide,” einsteinmoving.com/moving-with-pets-tips-tricks (accessed Jan. 12, 2023).

Disclaimer:

The information included here is designed for informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, financial or any other sort of advice, nor is it a substitute for such advice. The information may not apply to your specific situation. We have tried to make sure the information is accurate, but it could be outdated or even inaccurate in parts. It is the reader’s responsibility to comply with any applicable local, state, or federal regulations. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates, and their employees make no warranties about the information nor guarantee of results, and they assume no liability in connection with the information provided. Nationwide and Shield Insurance Agency

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How to Negotiate Pets

Posted on April 7, 2023June 14, 2023 by Shield Insurance Agency

Nationwide | September 28, 2022 | Pets | Pet Insurance | Start A Quote Today!

If you’re worried about finding quality housing that will welcome your pet, you’re in good company. Navigating a tight rental market can be especially frustrating for pet owners. However, it is possible to negotiate your pet with your landlord whether you’ve found a home you would like to rent or are hoping to bring a furry friend into your current residence.

Acquire a landlord permission letter for pets

It’s important to get your landlord’s permission upfront. You can even come to your landlord prepared with a pet agreement to help start the conversation. You’ll want to make sure you have documentation of your landlord’s permission to have your pet on the property. [1]

The law allows for landlord discretion on pets.

Even if your landlord grants you approval to have a furry friend in your home, you still want to clearly read your lease agreement and make sure you understand the rules and restrictions around which pets are allowed on the property. The law allows for landlord discretion in determining whether or not tenants can own a pet as well as what breeds and sizes of animals are permitted. The law also grants landlords the right to impose fees related to pets. It’s important to make sure you’re carefully going over your landlord’s pet policy to make sure you understand any restrictions or limitations before signing your lease. [1]

Tips for negotiating pets with your landlord

Some landlords are weary of having pets on their property because of the potential noise and damage they can cause. This can be a barrier to finding housing that will allow pets, but there are several ways you can help improve your chances of finding a place for you and your furry friend to call home.

Be proactive in the housing search

Give yourself as much time as possible to find pet-friendly housing. If you don’t currently have a pet but are thinking of getting one in the future, you might want to find housing that will allow pets well before bringing one home. You can make your search easier by researching animal-friendly listings online. Ask your friends, family, and social media connections if they happen to know of any pet-friendly landlords or available properties. [2]

Come to the negotiations prepared

If you found a home you like but the landlord is not currently allowing pets, there are a few things you can come prepared with to help change their mind: [1] [2] [3]

Pet rent: You can offer pet rent. In most cases, landlords will require it anyway, but offering it helps to show good faith. It should be noted that pet rent is separate from your base rent and should not be incrementally increased as your base rent is increased.
Pets deposit: Additionally, you can suggest a pet deposit for any potential damages. Pet deposits are also separate from your standard deposit and cannot legally be withheld for any dispute unrelated to your pet.
Sample pet agreement: There are resources online that can help provide a sample pet agreement for you to share with your landlord. Coming prepared with one will help show you’re a thoughtful and knowledgeable tenant.
Pets resume with references: Show your landlord that your furry friend is well-behaved by sharing any training certifications your pet has. Even sharing photos of your pet playing with children can help show that your pet is friendly and won’t be a problem to your neighbors, and your veterinarian can also help by providing documentation of your pet’s vaccine records and a letter of reference.
Research building policies and local laws that might work in your favor: Sometimes the law is on your side when it comes to having a pet in your rental home. For example, in New York, if you get a pet and the building board doesn’t start a court proceeding against you within 3 months, you’re allowed to keep your pet. Research the laws in your state and find out whether there are any that could apply to your situation.
Reasonable accommodation: If you have an emotional, physical, or psychiatric disability, the law allows you to keep an assistive animal, and you’re legally protected from discrimination as a tenant. The law also requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for you and your pet if your pet is an emotional support animal (ESA). The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 both protect assistive pets in cases where landlords prohibit pets. In this instance, you may have to produce documentation that your pet is an assistive animal. This documentation can usually be provided by a health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, doctor or licensed therapist.

Common pet complaints and problems for renters

Even if your landlord grants approval for your pet, you might still deal with some challenges that could even result in eviction: [1]

Lease documentation specifies no pets: It’s important to read over your lease carefully and suggest any necessary changes before signing. If your lease stipulates that pets aren’t allowed on the property, make sure this is removed before signing and bringing a pet into the residence.
New ownership of property decides to not allow pets: If your place of residence is bought by new ownership that chooses not to allow pets, you may be asked to remove your pet or to leave the property.
Complaints from other tenants: This could cause your landlord to issue an eviction notice.

Pets are an important part of the family that help bring comfort and joy into our homes. Protect your pet like family with Nationwide’s Pet Insurance Policies.

Sources:

[1] “Negotiating for Pets: Tips for Success,” bhrentersalliance.org/2017/09/negotiating-for-pets/

[2] ”Information for renters with pets,” humanesociety.org/resources/information-renters-pets

[3] “How to Negotiate Pets with Skeptical Landlords,” emotionalpetsupport.com/2020/03/how-to-negotiate-pets-with-skeptical-landlords/

Disclaimer:

The information included is designed for informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, financial or any other sort of advice, nor is it a substitute for such advice. The information may not apply to your specific situation. We have tried to make sure the information is accurate, but it could be outdated or even inaccurate in parts. It is the reader’s responsibility to comply with any applicable local, state or federal regulations. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and their employees make no warranties about the information nor guarantee of results, and they assume no liability in connection with the information provided. Nationwide and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2022 Nationwide and Shield Insurance Agency

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4 Mood-Boosting Activities

Posted on April 28, 2020February 6, 2025 by Shield Insurance Agency

4 mood-boosting activities to keep your mind happy during COVID-19 lock-down

Music, journaling, and spending time with your pets are all science-backed ways to boost mental health during stressful times.

Dancing and singing a happy tune with your loved ones
can boost your mental health.

Expressing your artistic self has profound positive impacts on your mental health and wellbeing during times of stress.
“Knitting and other forms of textile crafting such as sewing, weaving or crocheting have quite a lot in common with mindfulness and meditation,” according to neuroscientist Dr. Sarah McKay.
Spending quality time with your pets can also have beneficial impacts, including lowered cortisol levels and a boosted immune system.

Arts and crafts

Arts and crafts time with your kids (or diving into a new hobby such as quilting on your own) can do wonders for your mental health, and serve as mood-boosting activities according to several studies.

In a 2016 study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, 658 students were asked to keep diaries over the span of 13 days. The students documented their mental states during various crafting activities including painting, sculpting, knitting, scrapbooking, sewing, and crocheting.

Participants who engaged in creative activities were:

more enthusiastic about returning to that activity on another day
experienced a positive mood boost during their craft activity
felt inspired to be productive and creative in other ways

The study also found that people who engaged in regular crafting activities experienced what psychologists call “flourishing,” which is a process of internal growth and purpose provoking mood-boosting activities. Lead author Dr. Tamlin S. Connor reports: “Overall, these findings support the emerging emphasis on everyday creativity as a means of cultivating positive psychological functioning.”

Neuroscience backs up this thinking: the reward center in your brain releases the neurotransmitter dopamine when you do something pleasurable. While our brains are used to releasing dopamine to make us repeat activities that are essential to our survival (like eating or having sex), over time we’ve evolved so that the brain can emit dopamine signals during fun activities like decorating a cake or painting on a canvas.An article written by neuroscientist Dr. Sarah McKay explains: “Knitting and other forms of textile crafting such as sewing, weaving or crocheting have quite a lot in common with mindfulness and meditation, all are reported to have a positive impact on mental health and well-being.”

Karaoke time

Music is also a mood-boosting activity. According to a University of East Anglia (UEA) study, there are several benefits to belting a tune along with a group of people. The results of the study showed that:

Social engagement with others gives people a sense of belonging and well-being that often lasts all day.
Being part of a group dynamic also helps improve social skills and confidence.
Taking part in a fun activity helps improve your mood and allows you to function better on a day-to-day basis.

Tuning into your favorite radio station, playing a karaoke video game, or creating a Spotify playlist your whole family can sing along to is going to have an uplifting effect on everyone’s mood during what is (for most) a very difficult self-isolation period.

Professor Tom Shakespeare, the lead on the study, explains: “We found that singing as part of a group contributes to people’s recovery from mental health problems. For some, it represented one component of a wider program of support. For others, it stood out as key to their recovery or maintenance of health. But the key thing for everyone was that it induced fun and happiness.”

This isn’t the only experiment to prove these results: Other music therapy studies have shown a positive boost in social connection, cognitive stimulation, mental health, and enjoyment.

Spending quality time with pets

Spending time with your pets provides hormonal changes that decrease stress and promote mood-boosting

While this isn’t news to dog owners, you may be surprised to learn just how beneficial spending time with your dog can be. Research from the University of Missouri-Columbia suggests that a few minutes of petting your dog prompts a release of serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin, all known for being “feel-good” and “pleasure-inducing” hormones.

Having a pet can boost immunity.

A 2018 study suggests that infants who are exposed to pets before they are 6 months old have a decreased likelihood of allergies. Pets may also reduce the chances of hay fever, eczema, and upper respiratory infections.

Additionally, having a dog in your home may help balance out or even boost your gut health because dogs have many different types of beneficial bacteria.

Owning a cat or dog can improve cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure.

According to researchers at SUNY Buffalo, participants in a 2004 study who were already taking medication for hypertension showed blood pressure decreases in response to owning a cat or dog. In fact, their blood pressure response to stress was cut in half by spending time with their pet doing mood-boosting activities.

Journaling or expressive writing

Similar to crafting, writing about your personal experiences can help improve your mood, boost happiness, and help you find catharsis during a time of trouble or stress.

During the stressful COVID-19 pandemic, stress and panic seem to be spreading just as quickly as the virus. Writing about your lock-down experience during this time can help decrease your anxiety and increase your mental well-being, according to research.

In a 2006 behavioral therapy study, participants who wrote in the expressive writing style (journaling or the act of keeping a diary) showed significantly lower depression symptoms than those who did not. In a separate North Western University study, this time focused on married couples who were asked to write about a conflict they were experiencing, those who explored their problems together through expressive writing showed greater improvement in marital happiness than those who didn’t write about their issues.

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