Tips for Pet Owners With a Second Home in a Different State

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If you have a cat or dog, you want to make sure they're safe and happy at home. If you have two homes in two different states, this means putting in a little extra work to ensure that your furry friend is comfortable wherever they may be. However, having homes in two different locations also opens up opportunities, such as the chance to save money on costs like pet insurance, since prices can vary according to city. Read on for some best practices for having two homes with a pet.

Make sure your home is pet-friendly wherever you go

The first step when living in multiple locations is to find a fitting house for every place you live in. A professional like Mission to Close real estate can help you find the perfect pet-friendly place. For example, if you have a dog, you may want a big backyard for them to play in. Once you have the property, you can get it set up to ensure that it's pet-friendly. For example, it should be equipped with all the basic goods your pet needs, like food and water dishes, bedding, and toys.

Build a pet care support team in both of your home locations

There are many people who may help you care for your pet. Examples include veterinarians, pet groomers, and dog walkers. Look up the people you need online. The American Veterinary Medical Association has tips for finding a vet in your area. If you end up having two vets, one in each home location, make sure that they are both keeping up-to-date records of your cat's or dog's health.

Turn to technology to help keep your pet safe and stay organized

Technology can help minimize the chaos when you're juggling two homes with a pet. For example, get your pet microchipped and register their info in a nationwide database. This way, if they get lost, people will know how to find you, whatever state you're in. Technology can help in other areas too. For instance, you can keep all your important documents, like proof of pet insurance, easily accessible via a cloud sharing platform.

Take advantage of living in two states to save money

Having two locations to call home can get expensive. However, there are many ways to save. For example, instead of paying for cable, get a streaming service. You can watch it in either home without paying for cable twice. When it comes to stocking up your pantry in either home, prioritize non-perishable items and freezer goods that won't go bad when you're away. You can also save by comparison shopping. For example, things like auto insurance, pet insurance, and health insurance may be cheaper in some states than in others.

Here are some examples of how comparison shopping can benefit you:

?     If you decide to rent instead of buying, keep an eye on costs. For example, the cost of rent is 58.87% higher in New Orleans, LA, than in Wichita, KS.

?     Car insurance also varies according to location. For instance, The Zebra reveals that car insurance rates in Illinois are 21.6% less than the national average.

?     You may want to put things in storage as you oscillate between homes. You can find a storage unit quick online. For instance, Los Angeles, CA storage units are available for as little as $130.

?     Pet insurance also varies according to location. For instance, the cost of insuring a chihuahua puppy in Omaha is $16 to $41, compared to $16 to $50 in Lincoln.

?     Finally, consider the prices of basic goods like food. The average cost of groceries in Virginia is $298.01, for example, below the national average of $355.50.

As you can see, there are opportunities to benefit from having two homes as a pet owner. However, it's important to get organized if you're going to make the most of it. The first step is finding the perfect property to call home.

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by Stephanie Haywood of mylifeboost.com