Tips for Moving With an Exotic Pet

August 11th, 2025
Posted in Residential Moving

In this blog entry, the professional TriState area residential moving team here at Noah’s Ark Moving and Storage will detail some essential tips for moving with an exotic pet like a bird or a reptile.

Do you need paperwork to move exotic pets?

Yes – we recommend getting a USDA accredited veterinarian to sign a health certificate called the APHIS Form 7001. You might also need import/export permits, vaccination records, proof of ownership, and/or CITES documentation for species that are internationally protected. We recommend making digital copies of all paperwork, and doing so well in advance of your move.

Tips for Moving Exotic Pets

Birds– Get a secure small travel cage with a perch. Cat carriers are good travel containers for small and medium size birds, and can be outfit with a perch as well as a food and water bowl. Partically cover the container to help maintain warmth and lower the bird’s stress. Bring treats for the bird like millet spray.

Reptile– Bring a well-ventilated plastic tub and/or carrier with secure latches. Include cooling packs and eating packs depending on what species your reptile is. Don’t feed it before you travel.

Amphibians – Bring an insulated container like a cooler with damp moss in it. It’s essential to keep a stable temperature of 65-75 degrees.

Invertebrates / Tarantulas – Bring ventilated deli cups in padded boxes. Reduce exposure to vibration, bright light, or temperature shifts. Don’t feed before traveling.

Small Mammals– Bring a hard sided carrier with a water source from a frozen bottle or gel, bedding, and familiar toys / scents for comfort.

What are tips for reducing exotic pet’s anxiety during your move?

Introduce your pet to the travel enclosure well in advance of your move. Practice short trial travel runs in your car. We recommend seat-belting small carriers in your car to make it safer.
Make handling short during the move
Put familiar items like substrates, toys, and bedding in the travel enclosure
Maintain as much of an environmental consistency as possible like temperature and humidity
Avoid traveling on rough terrain, loud noises, and keep pets shaded and out of direct sunlight

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Tips for Moving With an Exotic Pet

August 11th, 2025
Posted in Residential Moving

Do you need paperwork to move exotic pets?

Tips for Moving Exotic Pets

Birds– Get a secure small travel cage with a perch. Cat carriers are good travel containers for small and medium size birds, and can be outfit with a perch as well as a food and water bowl. Partically cover the container to help maintain warmth and lower the bird’s stress. Bring treats for the bird like millet spray.

Reptile– Bring a well-ventilated plastic tub and/or carrier with secure latches. Include cooling packs and eating packs depending on what species your reptile is. Don’t feed it before you travel.

Amphibians – Bring an insulated container like a cooler with damp moss in it. It’s essential to keep a stable temperature of 65-75 degrees.

Invertebrates / Tarantulas – Bring ventilated deli cups in padded boxes. Reduce exposure to vibration, bright light, or temperature shifts. Don’t feed before traveling.

Small Mammals– Bring a hard sided carrier with a water source from a frozen bottle or gel, bedding, and familiar toys / scents for comfort.

What are tips for reducing exotic pet’s anxiety during your move?

Introduce your pet to the travel enclosure well in advance of your move. Practice short trial travel runs in your car. We recommend seat-belting small carriers in your car to make it safer.
Make handling short during the move
Put familiar items like substrates, toys, and bedding in the travel enclosure
Maintain as much of an environmental consistency as possible like temperature and humidity
Avoid traveling on rough terrain, loud noises, and keep pets shaded and out of direct sunlight