At MAK, we know that your pets are members of your family. Many of us have animals of our own and love making friends with creatures of all shape and size. However, a remodel may not be the best place for animals. No matter the size of the project, we want to make sure that it’s a healthy and happy experience for both you and your pets.
The first step is deciding whether to keep your pet in the home while it’s under construction. This obviously may not be possible if the project encompasses the whole house, but it’s the most realistic option for many smaller jobs. However, even these smaller jobs may not be the best place for your pet. Here’s some things to think about:
- How does your pet handle stress? Are they frightened by loud noises or strangers?
- Will they be unhappy if they are placed in a closed room or crate during the day?
- Do they have any health issues that may be exacerbated by stress?
- Will someone from your household be around during construction to check on them?
Hopefully thinking some of these things through will help you make the best decision for your pet. If you do decide to keep them in the home, there are a couple of things you can try to help make them as comfortable as possible. Stick to their regular meal schedule so there isn’t too much change happening at once. Make sure they have plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied and engaged. It may also help to turn on music or the TV to help drown out construction commotion.
We will do everything in our power to avoid this, but if the worst were to happen and your pet escapes, it is incredibly helpful to make sure they have both a collar with ID tags and a microchip. Most animals that were adopted from an shelter should already be chipped, but if they aren’t already, you can take them to your local veterinarian or animal shelter (on specified days, call or check their website) to have it done. It’s a safe, low cost, and quick procedure that will do wonders for your peace of mind.
If you decide that it’s best to relocate your pet during construction, there are lots of options out there for you. Check out Yelp for animal boarding or day-care in your area. If you’re in Davis, there are many Vet students who are qualified and happy to board your pet for a lower rate than a facility.
No matter which route you take, we want to make sure that every member of our family feels cared for during this process. At the end we’ll know we’ve achieved our goal if we get a wag and a smile!
