Taking your pets on a car trip to a new duty station can be stressful, but at least they get to come with you. Going away without them for a year can be worse if you don't prepare your pets and yourself. Here are a few tips to help provide the best environment for all of you.
Start now
If you have children, you're required to have care established for them in case you get a short-notice deployment or a remote PCS. Do the same for your pets. Have a serious conversation with a family member or a trusted friend about picking up your pet in case it happens. If you have that in place already, introduce your pet to that person or persons beforehand. It will help your pet feel like it's a weekend vacation instead of you just going away.
Power of Attorney
Yes, you need one. It forms a legal requirement for the person watching your pet to ensure proper veterinary care, shelter, and other needs. It may sound ridiculous, but a power of attorney can prevent someone from dropping off your pet at a shelter if they get tired of the responsibility.
Essential Comfort
Be sure that the person who cares for your pet has the room or makes room for them. If your dog or cat sleeps in their own bed, ensure it goes with them. This also applies to their own food and water bowls. It keeps a sense of continuity and security. The same applies to their toys or a favorite blanket to sleep on.
Money
You cannot expect someone to care for your pet and pay for the privilege. As your deployment or remote PCS wears on, please continue to provide for your pets and their caregivers. If you are PCSing soon you can enter into our $500 monthly sweepstakes. If you don't have enough cash upfront (and who does), send funds for their care each month. A peer-to-peer transfer app (i.e., PayPal or Venmo) is a great way to send money each week or as needed. If you are old school, provide a stack of post-dated checks to be deposited monthly or weekly if your caregiver needs them.
Finally, here's a tip for owners. Don't feel bad about wanting to call or video chat with your pet. Doing so helps relieve you and your pet's stress right after you depart. Lower stress means you're sleeping and eating better. Both improve your morale, which moves you through the time apart faster. It's just like with kids or your spouse; take care of yourself to take better care of them. If you need more help or resources, reach out to the team here at PCS with Pets.
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