People with pets moving house should consider the effect of moving on their furry friends, it has been suggested.

Tips from Countryside Properties have been put forward to help people moving house care for their pets and make the change in surroundings less stressful.Packing can be worrying to see for some pets, so it has been suggested that they should be taken to the house of a friend or family member. Identification tags with names and numbers are advised to prevent the loss of a creature, while ensuring that all belongings are stored away before introducing animals can reduce stress.

The sight of familiar objects, such as toys and baskets, can also be very comforting.Martin Leggett, regional sales director at Countryside Properties, commented: "Like humans, pets have very different personalities so all animals will react differently to a change in surroundings."It is important that moving house goes as smoothly as possible for all the family, including our pets."

Over 1,800,000 house moves took place last year, with almost half involving pets, according to the firm.When moving home, be sure to have a good self-storage system in order to reduce clutter and provide a safe environment for animals.