Ship cat from coast to coast

[oilboy123]

My daughter and I are going to car trip to Portland, Maine from Seattle. She is going to graduate school there. Has anybody shipped a cat on a plane without the owner being on said plane.
Is this even possible? Can a cat be shipped any other way?

Thanks for any tips

 

[Chris142]

I would rather give a trucker $50 and let kitty ride in the cab.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
My daughter and I are going to car trip to Portland, Maine from Seattle. She is going to graduate school there. Has anybody shipped a cat on a plane without the owner being on said plane.
Is this even possible? Can a cat be shipped any other way?

Thanks for any tips


Put the cat in a carrier. Put the carrier in your car. Drive.

/thread

 

[bruckus]

We have shipped our cats before. Most airlines have this out of major airports. I believe Continental Airlines has a great program for shipping animals, that is who we used in the past. I am sure that there are others but they are very good.

 

[JHZR2]

I can understand that the litter/food bit would be a bit tough, but Id consider an upsized carrier that kitty could move around in a bit (assuming you have space).

 

[fdcg27]

I'd be really hesitant to ship any animal I actually cared about.
If you've traveled much, you've seen how baggage and freight are handled. Things tend not to be gently treated, and being left in a carrier in the hot sun or driving rain on a ramp at a gate might not be good for the cat.
Take the cat with you on the drive.
Safer for the cat and peace of mind for your daughter.
Alternatively, let the cat continue to reside with you.
Your daughter will see it when she visits and the cat will be happy in its familiar surroundings.

 

[Veilside]

I have heard nothing but horror stories about shipping animals on commercial transports, especially planes.

If you care about your pet and want them around for any length of time, DO NOT ship them. Take them with you. At least that way they'll survive the trip.

 

[eljefino]

Consider other regional airports if they're more direct. BOS, PRI, MHT and whatever on your end.

Some airlines are marginally caring with notes about feeding, watering, and litter usage. And cats are tough.

 

[Eddie]

I first thought he was talking about a catalytic converter. )

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I'd be really hesitant to ship any animal I actually cared about.
If you've traveled much, you've seen how baggage and freight are handled. Things tend not to be gently treated, and being left in a carrier in the hot sun or driving rain on a ramp at a gate might not be good for the cat.
Take the cat with you on the drive.
Safer for the cat and peace of mind for your daughter.
Alternatively, let the cat continue to reside with you.
Your daughter will see it when she visits and the cat will be happy in its familiar surroundings.

Agreed. If at all possible, I'd take the cat with you in the car, or just let it live at your house until your daughter settles into more permanent living.

Cats don't like change as it is. Just moving to a new place will be a major change already, let alone a terrifying flight in the cargo hold of the plane with no reassurance or comfort. Remember, the cat has NO idea what is going on. All it knows is that it was abandoned at a strange place and put inside of a loud, scary, moving thing. Expect to be picking up one mad, upset, scared cat when you go to collect it.

 

[fdcg27]

We have never been cat people.
Most of our experience with cats has involved keeping our dog from killing those belonging to the neighbors.
I know that no dog likes being separated from his people, and cats, after their aloof fashion, probably feel the same.
A dog is a member of the family, and is like a child.
Cats may be the same, in their way.

 

[The_Eric]

It may be an inconvenience to your daughter, but oh well, she made the choice to accept kitty into her life. It's her pet and pets should be treated as family and not luggage.

I definitely agree with others who say to take the cat on a road trip. Also, FWIW you can talk to your local vet and they can arrange for little kitty sedatives to keep it relaxed and from "serenading" her for the duration of her trip.

 

[morris]

drug the cat. drive

 

[andrewg]

I would never 'ship' a cat or a dog. Why can't you take the cat with you in the car? Can it be placed on a leash and able to relieve itself at rest stops? If not, then I would rig up a very large carrier complete with a litter box inside. No, it would not be pleasant when the cat does it's business, but at least you are treating the cat with the care it deserves.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Also, FWIW you can talk to your local vet and they can arrange for little kitty sedatives to keep it relaxed and from "serenading" her for the duration of her trip.


One good "over the counter" solution is Rescue Remedy Pet. You should be able to find it at pet stores. You want the Pet version because it's alcohol-free. The Rescue Remedy for people sold in stores like GNC contains alcohol. Just a couple drops on the ear will do the trick. There are other similar products out there, just be sure you are buying something safe and intended for smaller animals.

 

[Y_K]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I'd be really hesitant to ship any animal I actually cared about.
In some jurisdictions they force you to. When we were moving from Australia, cargo hold was the only option they give you. And when you move into Au, nice, warm, easy-going Australians make it thousand times worse..

Whatever you do, don't follow the stupid advice to give your cat tranquilisers.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Y_K

Whatever you do, don't follow the stupid advice to give your cat tranquilisers.


There's a difference between the sedative I mentioned and a tranquilizer. Rescue Remedy doesn't knock the cat out, it just calms it down making the trip easier on all involved including the cat.

 

[doitmyself]

Since you have received lots of good advice so far, I don't feel too bad suggesting this bad one.

When you learn of someone flying that way in the future, have the cat transported as carry-on using this device:

Please don't "unfriend" me Oilboy123. Just having some fun on Father's Day. Feel free to retaliate in my refrigerator thread!

Take care.

 

[dishdude]

Throw it in a box with some holes cut out, and ship it UPS ground.

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: Y_K

Whatever you do, don't follow the stupid advice to give your cat tranquilisers.


I don't suppose you would tell us why they're stupid? I feel that it's pretty silly to make a statement like that, then not follow up with your reasoning.