Travelling with Cats
I believe I mentioned in a previous post that I would like to move out to California, possibly next year, with my little dog, Pepsi. I decided that it might be best to leave my cat, Mia, behind to live with my parents indefinitely. Well, as we all know, plans change, and I just don’t think I can leave Mia behind. So, that leaves me with quite a task; moving my sweet, sensitive kitty safely across the country.
My first thought was to take her in the same way I had planned to take Pepsi; with me on the road when I transport all of my things. But I just think it would be unfair and even traumatizing to take Mia that way. Unlike Pepsi, she’d have to be caged at all times, and I don’t want to do that to her for such a long drive. My next thought was to have Mia flown out to California once I get settled, but I’ve heard the horror stories, and even if the chances may be slim, I’m not willing to risk anything happening to my baby in the cargo hold. So, I’m left with one last option, which is to somehow arrange it so that I can fly Mia out to California with me, as carry-on in the cabin. It’ll be a job to arrange and save for, but I think it’s the safest option for her and I really, REALLY want to have her live with me.
I would, however, like your opinions, dear readers! Have you made a big move with a cat? What was your method and how did it work out for you and your precious pet?
flying with pets, animals on planes, airline animal deaths, cats, moving, travel with pets
March 29th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Hey Shelly,
I don’t envy you that decision! We’ve often talked about moving away from TX, not sure to WHERE, but the idea of moving six cats is overwhelming.
I had a friend who moved from Nebraska to PA, and took her three cats with her in a van. She listened to an audio book the whole way in order to try and drown out their crying. With the van, though, she could let them walk around a bit inside–when she wasn’t driving, of course. I thought the idea didn’t suck too badly. LOL.
bobbi c.
April 5th, 2007 at 9:41 am
That’s a toughie, cats HATE cars, I once had to transport mine in one to my Grans house, about 3 miles away… in that short journey she peed all over the back seat and looked like she was about to die. The cat obviously, not my Gran
April 10th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Yes, even though this entry is old, just had to share our idea that worked well. We just moved from New England to the South, and had to figure out how to get our 3 older cats there safely. My husband stumbled on the best idea, and our vet loved it, too. We rented an RV, parked in our driveway on moving week and we lived in it while the moving van folks packed and moved us. Then drove it south (it was a 14 hour drive, all in one day). It was by far the best way we could come up with to keep our ‘kids’ happiest and safe during the whole thing, and the best part was their freedom and acceptance of the RV as their home during the drive down. Not a bad way to do it, and I’d recommend it to anyone. Best wishes on your move.