Moving with Pets: A Complete Guide for Montreal

Preparing Your Pets Before Moving Day

Pets pick up on stress, and a household in packing chaos sends all the wrong signals. Start preparing your animals weeks before the move. Get your dog or cat used to their carrier by leaving it open in a common area with treats inside. For cats especially, a familiar carrier on moving day can make the difference between calm and catastrophe.

Visit your vet for a pre-move checkup. Make sure vaccinations are current and ask about anti-anxiety options if your pet is particularly nervous. If you're moving across boroughs in Montreal, your new neighbourhood may have different bylaws — for instance, some areas have breed-specific regulations, so check your new borough's rules.

Update your pet's microchip and ID tags with your new address before the move. If your pet escapes during the chaos of moving day on a busy street like Saint-Laurent or in a new neighbourhood, current contact info is critical.

Keeping Pets Safe on Moving Day

On moving day, the safest place for your pet is away from the action. If possible, arrange for a friend, family member, or pet sitter to watch them. Doors will be propped open, heavy furniture will be in motion, and strangers will be walking through — it's a recipe for a scared runaway.

If your pet must stay on-site, confine them to a quiet room that's already been packed. Put a sign on the door that says "Pet inside — do not open." Include their water bowl, litter box (for cats), a favourite toy, and a blanket that smells like home. Our Up & Out crews are pet-friendly and always check before opening closed doors.

For the actual transport, never put pets in the moving truck. They ride with you in your car, in a secured carrier or harness. The truck gets hot, dark, and noisy — no animal should be in there.

Settling Pets Into Your New Home

At your new place, set up a dedicated pet room first. Unpack their bed, food bowls, litter box, and toys before you do anything else. Cats especially need a safe, quiet space to decompress — let them explore the rest of the apartment gradually over several days.

Dogs may need extra walks to burn off nervous energy. Explore your new neighbourhood together — find the nearest dog park. Montreal has great ones: Parc Laurier on the Plateau, Parc Jarry in Villeray, and the off-leash area at Parc Angrignon in LaSalle are all popular choices.

Stick to your pet's regular feeding and walking schedule as much as possible. Routine is comforting. Within a week or two, most pets adjust fully. If your cat is hiding under the bed or your dog refuses to eat after several days, a call to your new neighbourhood vet is a good idea.

Montreal-Specific Pet Considerations

Montreal has specific rules about pets that vary by borough. Most require dogs to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. In Montréal-Nord and several other boroughs, certain breed restrictions apply. Before signing your lease, confirm with your landlord that pets are allowed — and get it in writing in Section G of your bail.

If you're moving to a condo, check the déclaration de copropriété for pet rules. Some buildings have weight limits, breed restrictions, or limit the number of animals per unit. It's much better to discover this before moving day than after.