Making the transition to a new home can be stressful for everyone, including your pets. “We often are anxious about our pets’ adjustment to a new home,” says Lincoln Thompson, a broker-owner with Royal LePage Gardiner Realty in Fredericton, New Brunswick. “To ensure a safe and successful transition, homeowners can plan ahead and take initiatives to make the process as smooth as possible.”

Before the move

Pull out moving boxes in advance of packing to allow your pet an opportunity to become accustomed to them. Orient your pet to its carrier or crate so that you have a safe-place for her before and after the move. Try to keep routines as stable as possible during the flurry of packing and preparation for the big move.

Research by-laws and pet licensing in your new area.

Contact the local municipality for requirements concerning domestic animals in your new area. Ask about licensing and by-laws concerning the responsibilities of pet owners. Also check into the availability of off-leash areas for dogs in your new community.

Special considerations for rural areas

If your new home is in a rural area, be sure to learn the rights of farmers when neighbouring pets venture onto their property. Often, farmers have special privileges when it comes to protecting their livestock.

Transitioning your pet to your new home

Be prepared for some trepidation, particularly with cats that tend not to take as well to a change in environment. Cats should remain inside for several weeks until they become comfortable with their surroundings. Then, allow them only short accompanied ventures outdoors. Take your dog for several walks each day to help him become familiar with the new area. Avoid walking a dog immediately before leaving for errands or work. Plan to be home for a period of time after those initial walks. That way, the dog will associate his new home with positive outcomes.

Do you have other tips to share about moving with pets?  Let me know and I’ll feature your ideas in a future blog post!  Call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

(Content of this article courtesy of www.newscanada.com.)

With the arrival of fall in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County and the Edmonton region, most of us are back into the routine of kids back at school and all family members busy with activities of various kinds.  This means lots of come and go in our homes, making it even more important for our homes to be easily accessible for family members but not at all for intruders.

Security is a top priority for all home owners and their families. Technology is revolutionizing the way we protect, monitor and interact with our home. Security systems are becoming quick and customizable,  offering home owners the ability to ensure top safety and high levels of convenience.

Keyless security locks eliminate that haunting feeling of forgetting to lock the door and the resulting worry for the safety of your home. Electronic, keyless locks, like the Schlage Touch increase home protection and security because there is no cylinder to pick for potential intruders.

This technology gives home owners the ability to create codes to allow access for friends, and delete them when not needed anymore. It is important to look for touchscreen locks that are finger-print resistant that won’t rub away with continued use or due to weather conditions.

Families using electronic locks should be aware of how to set secure codes to ensure the highest level of safety. When creating a code for your home lock, there a few best practices to be aware of. Choose a code that never uses the same numbers twice and avoid sequential numbers to increase security. Stay away from commonly used combinations like 1234, 0000, and 1111 because these are the easiest for an intruder to guess. It is best to create a code that uses memorable numbers, like an anniversary, or graduation date. These are not obvious enough for an outsider to think of but have significant meaning so that your family members can remember the code.

Not only do touchscreen locks provide high levels of security but they add distinct convenience for busy families on the go. This means no more worrying about where your lost keys have disappeared to, or concerns about safety for that backup spare key under your doormat.

Take these proactive steps to keep your family and home safe and eliminate risk from potential intruders.

Looking for a new home with increased security features?  Maybe I can help.  Call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

(Most of the content of this article courtesy of www.newscanada.com)