Tonya, when I had to move Mimi and Butter year before last, I took Butter over to Scott's house (this was before we were married), and put him in a spare room with food, water and his litter box. He stayed there for probably 24 hours. He went the night before the movers arrived to move our things. Poor fellow was closed in one room for that 24 hours, but he was safe. Mimi stayed at my house, but early in the morning, the day of the move, I took her, prior to the movers coming, and put her in one of the bathrooms of the new house with a litter box, water and food and a bed, and there was a threatening notice posted on the door, daring anyone to open it!!! LOL!!! Once we were in, that night, I let her out, and brought Buttercup back over. They both stayed inside for several days before we even considered letting them venture outside. (Yes, my cats are indoor/outdoor cats).

I think the key is to get them in a safe place before the actual move starts. They are fearful of those strange people and the moving of furniture and the whole activity level! In fact, Murphy, our old Lab, went to back to Scott's house (she had been staying with Helen and me), and Honey and Lilly were boarded for two days at our local kennel. It was just too much for us to worry about the dogs on top of everything else we were dealing with.

Best of luck to you! I hope this helps.