“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe we’re doing this! Here’s what’s going on: All of us critters sneaked into Kim’s office and put our paws and wings together in telling you something very important.

“Many people find themselves moving, going through major life changes, experiencing challenges, and dealing with stress. Of all these events that your pets can experience, moving is one of the biggest issues.

“Depending on their temperaments and personalities, some pets can be mildly or extremely upset by the upheaval and life changes. To us, it doesn’t matter whether we are moving across town or across the continent. We need to know we will be safe and will be included in your moving plans. Following are some suggestions to help make the move as stress-free as possible for your furry companions.

“Try to keep your pets’ routines as normal as possible in the days and weeks leading up to the move. If possible, begin packing by doing it gradually just to get them used to the family’s things being moved and changed around.