Can birds stay in their cage during the move?

Yes, during a move with birds they should stay in their usual cage, which is additionally covered with a cloth to reduce stress. Make sure there is enough fresh air and moderate temperatures in the vehicle. Water and food should be within reach but securely fastened so that nothing spills.

Which carrier is suitable for guinea pigs?

For guinea pigs, a sturdy, well-ventilated carrier with enough room to lie down and some hay to calm them is recommended. The carrier should be secured in the vehicle so that it cannot slide. Avoid direct sunlight and overly long journeys without a break, so that the animals stay relaxed.

What is the maximum time small pets may be transported in a car?

The shorter the journey, the better; there is no fixed time limit for all species. On longer routes, plan regular stops at which you check the temperature, water and the animals' behaviour – in the car, not in the removal van. On a long-distance move it is best to drive the animals directly and never leave them alone in a parked car.

What should I do if my bird seems stressed during the move?

If your bird shows signs of stress such as restlessness or feather plucking, it helps to cover the cage and keep things quiet. Avoid opening the carrier unnecessarily during the journey. After arrival, the bird should be given time to settle in a quiet environment before the rest of the household is set up.

Can rabbits be transported together during the move?

Yes, as long as the rabbits already get on well, they can be transported together in a sufficiently large carrier . This gives them mutual comfort and reduces stress. Still, make sure there is enough space and ventilation so that the animals do not crowd each other.

Do I need to inform the vet before the move?

A visit to the vet before a bigger move with small pets makes sense, especially with sensitive species or long journeys. The vet can give tips on calming the animal and check whether it is fit enough to travel. This applies in particular to long-distance moves of several hundred kilometres.

How do I arrange the first night at the new home for my animals?

Set up the cage or terrarium at the new place before the actual moving day, so that familiar smells and objects are there. Keep the surroundings quiet and avoid lots of visitors in the first few hours. That way your small pets get used to the new home more quickly.

Does the removal firm also transport the animals themselves?

No. Under § 451d HGB a removal firm is not liable for live animals, which is why hamsters, rabbits and birds travel with you in the car. We transport empty cages, enclosures and aviaries with the rest of your belongings and set them up first at the new place. Call us on 01625978461 to plan the private move .

How much does a move with small pets and birds cost?

After a survey we quote a fixed price based on the moving volume, distance, floor and additional services – large enclosures or aviaries count towards the volume. The animals themselves cost nothing extra, because they travel with you. You can get a quote by phone or via our contact form.

Can cages travel with a shared load?

Yes, empty cages, enclosures and aviaries can travel with a shared load , but the animals cannot – they travel with you in the car. Because the shared load arrives within a time window, the animals need temporary quarters until then, such as a roomy carrier with bedding, food and water.

Which insurance applies to transporting animals during a move?

For your belongings, including cages and aviaries, we are liable under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre; additional insurance is possible for valuable items. Under § 451d HGB a removal firm is not liable for live animals. Whether your own personal liability insurance covers damage caused by your animals is something to clarify with your insurer.

STRESS-FREE MOVING

Moving with small pets & birds

Q: How do I prepare my hamster for the move?

Get your hamster used to the carrier a few days beforehand by lining it with familiar bedding. On moving day the carrier should be well ventilated and transported calmly. Avoid loud noises and strong jolts. That way the small pet move stays stress-free and your hamster quickly feels safe again.

Hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and birds move with you in the car – how to plan the carrier, cage and journey while your furniture travels in the lorry.

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FROM BERLIN-MOABIT

Small pets & birds guide

Moving with small pets & birds: animals in the car, cages in the lorry

How they travel calmly

Unsere Firma is based in Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21) and transports empty cages, enclosures and aviaries – the animals travel with you.

Hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds are sensitive to noise, draughts and sudden changes in temperature. So when moving with small pets, the rule is: the animals travel in well-ventilated carriers or in a covered cage with you in the car, not in the removal van. Under § 451d HGB a removal firm is not liable for live animals – we transport the empty cages, enclosures and aviaries with the rest of your belongings. Call us on 01625978461 and we will agree when the cages are dismantled and set up again first at the new place.

After a survey you receive a fixed price for the move. We dismantle empty cages and aviaries, pad them and set them up first in the new flat, so that the animals can quickly get back into their familiar home after the journey. We are liable for your belongings under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre. More about the process can be found under private move; if you are moving further away, you will find routes under long-distance moves.

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Get your fixed-price quote for your pet move now

Fixed price after a survey

Request a no-obligation quote for your move with pets: after the survey we quote a fixed price for furniture, boxes and empty cages. We discuss with you the order in which cages are dismantled and set up again at the new place. Call us on 01625978461 – we are based in Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21).

Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.

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CLEAR ROLES

Cages with us, animals with you

Empty enclosures in the lorry, animals in the car

We are based in Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21) and, when moving with small pets and birds, we take on what is large and bulky: empty cages, enclosures, aviaries and scratching posts or climbing trees, plus furniture and boxes. You transport the animals themselves in carriers or a covered cage in your own car – under § 451d HGB a removal firm is not liable for live animals. Beforehand we agree together when the cages will be dismantled and where they should stand in the new flat. We charge a fixed price after a survey; we are liable for your belongings under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre.

Packing Service

Pack bedding, hay and food within reach in the car; with our packing service we label cage accessories and bowls as a box of their own.

Office Move

If there is an aquarium or a birdcage in the office, we plan with you during the office move who drives the animals and when the enclosure is dismantled.

Senior Move

If an older person is moving with a budgie or canary, we set the cage up first during the senior move.

Furniture Transport

We dismantle large enclosures and aviaries, pad the bars and reassemble them at the destination – as carefully as every item in furniture transport.

PETS & MOVING

Six points for keepers of small pets and birds

Small animals need three things above all during a move: peace and quiet, fresh air and an even temperature. These points help with preparation and the journey.

Show the carrier beforehand

Place the carrier in or next to the cage days beforehand with familiar bedding, so that the animals get to know it.

Cover the cage

Birds travel in their own covered cage; take out swings and loose parts, and offer water during breaks.

Avoid heat and draughts

No blazing sun, no open window right next to the carrier and never leave them in a parked car – small animals cope badly with heat.

Last out, first in

The animals are the last to leave the old flat and the first to move into the new one – the cage is already set up when they arrive.

Register protected species

If you keep animals of a specially protected species that must be registered, report the new location to the responsible authority without delay.

Moving abroad

There is no EU pet passport for birds, rodents and rabbits – check the entry rules of the destination country in advance.

FOR SMALL LOADS

Part loads for small volumes

The budget-friendly alternative

If only a few pieces of furniture and a few empty cages are moving, a shared load can be cheaper. The animals do not travel with it: they go with you in the car, and the load follows within a time window. Set up temporary quarters until then, such as a roomy carrier.

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SMALL PETS & BIRDS

Your
move – fully organised

One team, every service

A private move with small pets involves three questions: who drives the animals and in which carriers, when is the cage dismantled, and where does it stand in the new flat before the animals arrive? On the journey, short routes, fresh air and as little jolting as possible are what count. If you keep fish or reptiles, read our article Moving with an aquarium and terrarium.

Planning safe and relaxed

Decide who drives the animals and when the cage is dismantled. Then your private move, senior move or student move stays predictable – and the animals spend only a short time in their carriers.

Furniture, boxes, transport routes

With a packing service, careful furniture transport and a small transport for enclosures and aviaries, the animals' quarters arrive intact and are the first thing set up again at the new place.

Costs, timing and special cases

The fixed price depends on volume, floor and distance, including for large aviaries. With a shared load or furniture taxi a time window applies – plan temporary quarters for the animals until then.

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FAQ

Frequent questions

Carriers, cages, the journey, costs and liability – answered briefly.

Get your hamster used to the carrier a few days beforehand by lining it with familiar bedding. On moving day the carrier should be well ventilated and transported calmly. Avoid loud noises and strong jolts. That way the small pet move stays stress-free and your hamster quickly feels safe again.

Preparation: how to move with small pets stress-free

Start preparing your small pet move in good time by putting out carriers and cages a few days beforehand so that the animals can get used to them. Also keep food, water and familiar bedding within reach so that you do not lose time on moving day itself.

Also plan a quiet place to retreat to at the new home, so that hamsters, rabbits or birds quickly feel at ease again after the journey. A cage that is already set up with familiar smells makes settling in considerably easier.

Transport day: safety and calm for your animals

On moving day, small pets and birds should leave the old flat as late as possible and move into the new one first, so that they spend only a short time in the carrier. Make sure there is good ventilation and avoid direct sun on the carrier.

The animals travel in your car, with the carrier placed non-slip in the footwell or strapped in. Meanwhile we bring the empty cages and aviaries and set them up first, so that your animals can move straight into their familiar home.

Moving costs: an overview for tenants and owners

1-room flat – costs from €339
2-room flat – costs from €615
3-room flat – costs from €879
4-room flat – costs from €1,309
House/villa – individual quote after a survey
Long-distance move – from €3.85/km

For concrete figures we recommend a free survey.

These factors determine the price

Besides the volume of your belongings, the distance (from €3.85/km) plays a central role. The floor, lift and a possible parking restriction zone are also factored into the calculation. Additional services such as furniture assembly and a shared load can be booked individually.

Our full service for your move

We offer more than just transport – an all-round package for your move.

Company move: Your business moves back in quickly.
Move with assembly: Comfort thanks to a complete assembly service.
Home move: Everything included from packing to set-up.
Clearance: We dispose of everything expertly.
Furniture transport: Your furniture safely at the destination.
Part load: The cost-effective alternative.

Moving to another city with small pets

On long routes, too, we travel from Berlin (Stromstraße 21) with furniture and empty cages, while the animals travel with you. Routes are listed under long-distance moves, and places with their own pages in the locations overview.

Family & Pets

Beste Umzug Redaktion

September 4, 2026

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Family & Pets Moving Tips