Moving a monitor across the country?

Toothless · 03-03-13, 05:41 AM

Hey everyone,
The ecomony is so poor here, that it looks like I may have to move to find work in my field (I cannot stand my current job any longer). I could easily get a very good paying job- if I move across the country...
There is no way I'm letting go of my Toothless, but was wondering how in the heck to safely transport him across the country. I would have to build a new enclosure when I got there (or I could see if my sister`s husband could build me something in advance so its ready when I get there if I`m moving close enough to them). Building the new cage is not a problem, but transporting him is. Its a 4-6 day long drive and I have no idea how go about this.
Mind you, I most likely won`t be moving (if I do) for at least another 7-12 months, but am the type of person that likes to have everything planned out ahead of time.
Any suggestions on how to go about this.

infernalis · 03-03-13, 06:12 AM

Ship the animal overnight express.

KORBIN5895 · 03-03-13, 06:24 AM

^^^^this^^^^^

Call reptilesexpress and air Canada.

Toothless · 03-03-13, 06:36 AM

Never thought about shipping him, lol. I hate to let him out of my sight, but that might be the best way to go about it. He would probably have to stay in a temp enclosure at my parents or friends house for a week while I drive down there and get everything set up for him though, then they could ship him out once his encloure (or a quick temp one) is ready. How would you properly package a 2.5 ft lizard, or will the shipping company let me know (as I'm assuming he"ll be about that big come moving time)?
Another thing would be the temp enclosure while he would be at my friends/parents for the week. Would he be ok in a temporarily inadequate enclosure for that small amount of time (i.e small size and only a bit of substrate)?
Just trying to go over everything well in advance so its one less thing to stress about (as I HATE moving lol).

Terranaut · 03-03-13, 10:34 AM

May I ask what city to what city?
Have you considered leaving him with someone you trust in your current city, going to your new home and making his new enclosure then returning to either fly with him or bring a friend and drive non stop?
Your lizard would survive the drive in a large tub. Years ago 3 friends and I split the driving and went non stop from Calgary to Kitchener in just under 2 days. Just a thought.

Just thought of this. Rent a uhaul van (not a cube van) and drive him inside of his current enclosure.

Toothless · 03-03-13, 02:50 PM

Most likely I'll be going from Halifax to Calgary. I know we took a family vacation years ago, and it took us 4 days to drive there (two of the days we drove during the night as well) so am expecting it to take a bit longer than that.
I'm not really wanting to take his whole cage with me, as I think it'd be cheaper just to build a new one when I get there (thinking of the gas to lug a 1000lb cage across the country, lol). I could leave him with a friend for a week or so- but he would have to be in a smaller cage as they don't have room for his current enclosure. I'd have to rent a Uhaul for the furniture I'd be taking along, and most likely will be selling my car, and just buying another when I get down there- as I was planning to sell it in two years anyways. My two sons will most likely be flying down a week or two afterwards with my mother once I get settled in, so I guess my mother could bring him on the plane with them so just put him in cargo with the dogs and cats?