Pets are truly part of the family. They are there for us no matter what we are feeling or what is happening in our lives. When we are on travel assignment what do we do with our pets? Do we bring them with wherever we go or do they have to stay behind? In this blog, I hope to get you thinking about whether bringing your pet is a good idea for the both of you.

If you love your pet as much as I do, then you want to take them with you wherever you go. However, when you're working as an RN on travel assignment taking your cat or dog with you can prove problematic. I've had a number of pets over the years and the hardest decision I've had to make is whether my dog and/or cat should stay or go. Each time that I've had to move I try to ask myself some basic questions to figure out what is the best choice.

Before you even ask yourself if you want your pet to come with ask yourself these following questions:

1. Do they travel well? Do they get carsick? Are they afraid of new situations and new places? If they are afraid of new places then that's a big red flag. Not only will bringing them to a new location put stress on them but you as well, especially when you consider you will be stressed enough as it is with a new medical facility and new co-workers to get to know.

2. Do you have an outdoor pet? If you have an animal that spends their entire time outdoors then introducing them to an indoor lifestyle may be difficult. They may have frequent accidents while inside, and may even cause damage to furniture.

3. How is your pet's health? Consider if they have any health issues or medications that need to be taken. It's possible that a new situation could make an existing condition even worse.

4. Do you have time to devote to them? Think about how much time you will be able to spend with them. New places bring wonderful new opportunities and sights to be seen. If you are going to be gone often then it's possible you need to think about a pet sitter.

5. Are you willing to pay an extra fee for them? Many apartment complexes are allowing pets but most either have a one-time fee/deposit or charge a monthly fee.

The most important part of these questions is to answer them honestly. After you have answered them, then ask yourself if you want to bring your faithful companion with you. If you want to bring them make sure you take the necessary steps to ensure the move goes smoothly. Tell your Nurses PRN recruiter that your pet will be traveling with you.  This way they can make the necessary arrangements. Also, be sure to look at your new states guidelines for vaccinations. It's possible they may need to be updated depending on the state.

After your move, make sure you are a good neighbor. Be aware if your pet makes loud noises during the day such as barking. Even in a pet-friendly place, a loud animal can be very disruptive. If you have a dog, be sure to clean up after them outside. These are just a few tips to make the transition from place to place easier. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments from your own personal experiences please email us at znexrgvat@ceavap.pbz.

Choosing whether your pets have to stay or go is not an easy one. You need to do what is best for both of you. In my opinion, if you can make it work it can be one of the best decisions you can make. There's nothing better than having a constant companion with you at your new home away from home.