Posted on 02/17/2005 7:56:56 AM PST by RosieCotton
I'm currently in the process of relocating from Northeastern Vermont to Colorado (leaving a blue state for a red state - woo-hoo!). Very unfortunately, I can't bring all of my pets with me. I've contacted the local shelters, but was told that because neither of them are super young, they would have a great deal of trouble placing them, and since I wouldn't want to have them actually IN the shelter, I'm not willing to go that route. I also tried an on-line classifieds site (petfinder.org), but got some really kooky e-mails, so I took that ad down. I'm hoping FReepers will be more helpful!
About the cats: both are spayed females, completely up to date on their shots. They are both indoor only cats.
Cleo is an older Siamese mix, approaching eleven years old. She was declawed by people who had her before me. She is timid in new situations and with new people, but very, very affectionate once she's comfortable...her favorite bid for attention is a running head butt. ;-) She's my main FReeping companion - stays stationed near the computer. I suspect she may FReep when I'm out of the house, but I have no proof...
Halvah is a five year old Himalayan/Siamese cross. She has a very soft, short coat. Best of both breeds, really! She's very friendly and a little chatty - a testament to her Siamese ancestry. She's not at all shy.
Some pictures…the ones of Halvah in particular aren't great because when she's awake, she rubs against my legs if I try to get near her with the camera. Doesn't sit still! ;-) And when she's asleep, her eyes are closed. Grrr...
Cleo:
Halvah:
So...Tam goes on a three day drunk.
I could think of worse things. ;-)
I am a veteran when it comes to traveling long distances with the felines in tow. In '94, I bid farewell to Florida and drove up to Boston in a Ryder truck with my late great cat, Frank N. Furter by my side.
In 2002, I drove BACK to Florida in a 12 year old Volvo 240. My beloved Frankie had gone to the bridge in '96, but I was now bringing back not only a husband but THREE, count em THREE cats.
The car was loaded down, and the two "Raptors" were confined to a hard plastic carrier in the back seat, while my grand old boy, Rocket J was in a soft sided carrier on my husband's lap. It was a bit of a squeeze. We all survived.
If the cats freak out, just play some nice music for them (or, in my case, Ramones and Oingo Boingo drown out their yowling after a while.) Ive never had to give them benedryl wrapped in turkey or things like that. For potty breaks, if they're not leash trained, I use a cat box filled with deodorized litter like Fresh Step and then contained in one of those black Hefty lawn and leaf bags (sometimes they're deodorized, too). At every rest stop, you can let the cats out of their carriers and open up the potty bag. If they have to go, they go. Make sure to keep the doors of the car closed and windows up, though, to avoid any panicked escapes if the cats decide to bolt or freak out or something.
Lets see, hotels tend to look the other way as far as cats go, or they have in my experience. If the hotel is one of those outside ones, you're in the clear, but unless the cat is yowling like crazy, its pretty easy to sneak the cat in past the concierge after you check in. Just use one of those luggage carts and put your bags on that. But again, cats are pretty well accepted usually.
One thing, if your cats are hiders, make sure they can't crawl under the bed. When my mom drove to Philly once, with my cat, the cat crawled inside the bed frame, and my mom had to get a maintenance man to help her wrangle the cat the next morning.
If I can think of anything else, I'll freep mail you--but feel free to freep mail me if you have any specific questions.
Hope that helps,
Reep
Poor Tam...
It broke my heart when each of the cats had surgery. It's really heartbreaking to see 'em all woozy and not themselves!
I don't think there's any way this will be *pleasant* for any of us. I just hope to make it *as* pleasant as it can be.
This is wonderful! Just the sort of info I was hoping for!
The litter box in a bag idea...that would work! We'll be fairly crammed in, but I can stuff that behind the seat.
Feeling better now...people look at me like I'm insane when I say I'm planning to bring a cat on (at least a) three day trip...
I've found that cats are fine travelin' companions, as long as they feel safe and comfortable (and they take their cues from the owners). Now Frankie--she was a travelin' cat. She liked to sit in the front seat (in her carrier, which was also held in place by the seat belt) and I'd keep her case turned so the door pointed at me, so she could always see me. I think that calmed her too.
And whenever she wanted my attention, she'd snake one delicate little paw through the wire mesh and pat me on the arm. She was such a cool little cat. All black, yellow eyes, perfect white star on her belly. She looked like a Bengal, only she was a dsh.
Good luck!
Try Motel 6. They're cheap, they're everywhere, they're usually reasonably clean, and I believe they allow pets.
Thanks! That's an excellent tip. I checked out their website and they even have a travel planner that shows all the hotels along the way. And sure enough, they allow small pets at all locations!
And they'll leave the light on for you. ;o)
'Zat their commercial? I don't have TV...
Oh...duh...it says it right on their homepage, too!
I've found most hotels accept pets. I have traveled quite a bit with dogs... Best Westerns, Super 8's and most others had no trouble and no extra charge for pets.
Yup, better than hanging your smelly exercise clothes on the equipment.
Heh...I may look into getting Tam kitty tranquilizers.
He'll likely be crated for the trip, except for potty breaks and at night. So I say now. We'll see how long that lasts...
He REALLY wants to play fetch tonight, the brat. I'm about to hide the ball.
I wish I could help out with the cats but let me at least give you a congratulations for making it out of socialist hell.
Fly and take him as carryon luggage. :) Had no problem moving my cat that way although she didn't like the two hours or so that she had to ride in a car.
Welll....it's like this. I tried to give her ACE (Acepromazine) and I think she got it because I didn't see a pill on the floor. However, she didn't act drowsy at all....just did her usual fuss about riding in a car. She did great on the plane and in the airport.
But it's certainly worth asking the vet!
It's a prescription drug.
On the other hand, the vet is only about half a mile from here - shorter, actually - and Halvah STILL has a fit and Cleo threatens to barf.
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