Moving cats across the country?

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D. Tomato - 28 Nov 2004 23:06 GMT

We're moving from Washington, D.C. to Oregon. We have two cats (both
around 15 years old). We're wondering how we're going to transport
them. It's just my wife and I, and we were thinking of driving across
the country. But I can't see two cats on a road trip for a week. Or,
one of us can fly ahead (can you bring cats on a plane?) while the
other drives the car.

The final alternative is to give them away. We don''t want to, but one
of them is extremely shy and nervous. I'm wondering whether it would
be kinder to leave her with my parents.

Any suggestions?

DT

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Jodie - 28 Nov 2004 23:44 GMT

> We're moving from Washington, D.C. to Oregon. We have two cats (both
> around 15 years old). We're wondering how we're going to transport
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> DT

If she loves and is attached to your parents, maybe consider leaving her.
On the other hand, it could be devastating at her age to be separated from
you and your wife, not to mention her furry friend. If you do give one to
your parents, it'd be wise to give them both up, like you said.

I think it'd be more humane to transport the kitties in a quick plane trip
rather than a week long road trip. You can indeed transport cats on a
plane, you have to check with the airline all their requirements to do it.
I think they need veterinary certificates and approved travel containers.

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Mike Rhino - 29 Nov 2004 05:51 GMT

> > We're moving from Washington, D.C. to Oregon. We have two cats (both
> > around 15 years old). We're wondering how we're going to transport
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> plane, you have to check with the airline all their requirements to do it.
> I think they need veterinary certificates and approved travel containers.

Some airlines don't take cats, so ask the airline before buying your ticket.

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Wayne Boatwright - 29 Nov 2004 01:20 GMT

> We're moving from Washington, D.C. to Oregon. We have two cats (both
> around 15 years old). We're wondering how we're going to transport
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> DT

In 2000 we moved from Ohio to Arizona, along with our two cats. One was
15, the other 12, and they fared quite well on the journey. Because the
older cat was quite high strung, the vet gave us a very mild sedative to
calm her on the road. We drove two cars and each of us took 1 cat in their
carrier on the other front seat. most of the time we left the gate open.
Before the trip we purchased several disposable litterboxes/litter which we
took into the motel room each night. During the day we put the litterbox
on the front passerger's floorboard. In the end, I know that our cats were
very happy to be with us and happy that we moved them.

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Wayne in Phoenix

*If there's a nit to pick, some nitwit will pick it.
*A mind is a terrible thing to lose.

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~*Connie*~ - 29 Nov 2004 08:32 GMT

> > The final alternative is to give them away. We don''t want to, but one
> > of them is extremely shy and nervous. I'm wondering whether it would
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> on the front passerger's floorboard. In the end, I know that our cats were
> very happy to be with us and happy that we moved them.

Consider feliway as well. It will help calm them.

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Gee - 01 Dec 2004 02:59 GMT

> Because the
> older cat was quite high strung, the vet gave us a very mild sedative to
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> on the front passerger's floorboard. In the end, I know that our cats were
> very happy to be with us and happy that we moved them.

Id add that if you do decide to take cats in the car, start training them
everyday that car is OK. Associate the car with something positive: Start
feeding them in the car; play with them in the car. Sit and read in the car,
while your cat is sniffing around. After few days do the same with engine
running. Later drive car and the cat on short trips which end in something
positive such as treats, or a favourite game. Preferably IN the car.

its a hard decision to make, and one not to take lightly, but I would NEVER
consider moving without my 5. I couldn;t live without them :)

Also bear in mind the legalities of driving the cat in the car, it could be
only legal to keep them in a box, or you may even be allowed to get the
extra small dog car harness and stripe them into the seatbelt like one would
a dog. The last thing you want is for them to be taken by the police for
illegal transportation and put down, God forbid! In UK for example the
inside of the car is considered a Public place, so having a dog let free in
the car, while car PARKED resulted in seizing the dog by police for doing
jack all.Ridiculous I know, but just ask local PD for the regulations.

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Aquarijen - 02 Dec 2004 20:57 GMT

"Wayne Boatwright" <wbw@att.net> wrote in message

> In 2000 we moved from Ohio to Arizona, along with our two cats. One was
> 15, the other 12, and they fared quite well on the journey. Because the
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> were
> very happy to be with us and happy that we moved them.

In early 2000 I moved from TN to California and took my cat in the truck in
the carrier in between the driver and passenger. He was around 15 at the
time. In late 2001 I made the journey back to TN... Again he was fine. My
vet gave me mild sedatives to use, but I never needed them. I always stayed
in a cat-friendly motel and used the disposable litterboxes. It was kinda
nice also to have my furry friend with me especially moving out into the
unknown away from anybody I ever knew.
He did cry for the first 45 minutes or so, but then we settled into a
routine. Alex did start to get smart though - he would sleep with me until
just before dawn and then he would hide in the hotel room not to go back
intot he carrier, but he was not mad at me after we were settled at the
final destination.
Good Luck,
Jen

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Michael M. - 30 Nov 2004 09:08 GMT

On Sun, 28 Nov 2004 23:06:36 +0000, D.Tomato wrote:

> We're moving from Washington, D.C. to Oregon. We have two cats (both
> around 15 years old). We're wondering how we're going to transport
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> DT

Just like people, different cats react differently to road trips. When I
was a kid, we moved from California to Texas and back again two years
later with our cat. He seemed to enjoy it. We had a big ol' 1970s
station wagon the size of a boat, and I used to let him out of his cage a
few times a day in the back and play with him and do his business. Of
course, we didn't let him get near the front seat. Maybe if you two could
trade off on cat duty as well as driving duty, they would be okay with the
road trip, possibly with the help of medication if it's necessary. But
you know your cats better than anyone else. Ours was hardy and
adventurous, so we thought he'd be fine, and he was.

I went to high school in Oregon -- nice state, great region. Enjoy!

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Michael M. ~~ hfrargspam@msbx.net ~~ New York, NY USA
"No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely
under conditions of absolute reality;..." --S. Jackson

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