New research from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has found that a quarter of London pet owners moving house are unsure what to do with their animals on moving day.

More than 1.8 million house moves took place last year in the UK. Almost a half of those involved pets, meaning that at least 228,750 UK pets could have suffered undue stress because owners did not know how to handle them on the big day.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home surveyed more than 1,000 pet owners in the UK and found that nearly half of London respondents felt their biggest worry about moving house was how their pet would react. The capital's animal lovers were more concerned about their pets than the furniture not turning up in one piece (31 per cent) or potentially forgetting the new keys (16 per cent).

One of the most important findings of the research was that 60 per cent of those surveyed felt that there was a real shortage of information and advice available to pet owners facing a house move.

In response to the findings, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, has developed an information guide designed to take the worry out of moving your pet.

Phil Spencer, presenter of the TV series Location, Location, Location, said: "Moving house when it's only you and your partner is stressful enough, but trying to move with a dog or cat in tow is a whole new ball game. Owners have to invest time to research and plan around their dog or cat's needs. From experience, the better the planning, the more enjoyable and less stressful moving house is. I am very pleased that Battersea has produced this guide to help pet owners do the right thing. "

Ali Taylor, head of behaviour at Battersea, said: "The fact sheets include simple tips to help owners identify the types of activities they should be thinking about before moving house, while moving and post move.

"These include such things as how to get your pet micro-chipped, finding pet hotels or kennels, and how best to keep your dog or cat calm on moving day."

The guide, available on Battersea Dogs & Cats Home's web site, is called the Paw Planner'.

Here are some handy tips from it:

  • Visit the vet before the move to have your pet micro-chipped and update their collar tag. Moving house can make animals feel unsettled and if they manage to escape during the move they may not be able to find their way home in an unfamiliar place.
  • If possible, send your pet to stay with a friend on moving day as it can be confusing and stressful for them to be around during all the upheaval. If that isn't possible, try and keep them confined to one room so they can stay as calm as possible.
  • When you are packing the removal van, make sure that your pet's toys, bedding and food bowls are packed last. That way, they can have their familiar things close to them as quickly as possible. For lots more help and advice about how to protect your pet from the stress of moving day, visit the web site at www.dogshome.org