Testimonial to Cat Travel

Vanessa, thank you too for your patience towards me in respect of my many phone calls and questions. You were empathetic and professional towards me throughout this project. For this I am most appreciative as well. Cat Travel Agency will be recommended by me to any friend or colleague who requires assistance in transporting their four legged friends. 

 

Preparing for Cat Travel

Even though most cats do not like going in the car, they can get used to it. But they can get carsick, and they can get lost, or nervous and distract you while driving. So, its very important that you prepare properly if your cat is coming with you on holiday.

1. Acclimatising when I relocate my cat.

The first thing to ascertain is how well does your cat travel in the car? Start now, in October on small round trips dropping the kids off at school, and work up to small visits to the cafe, where you only leave your cat alone for a few minutes (and obviously not in the sun and with a window open enough for breathing, but not escaping. Did you Know : Temperatures can get up to nearly 50 degrees Celsius in minutes inside a car in the sun.) Other important tips; no food for a few hours prior to the trip, and a good wee-wee break in the garden before heading off.

There are special homeopathic preparations for calming and for easing car-sickness for cats. Never use human doses – even homeopathic ones – since cats are so much more sensitive and have smaller mass. These remedies must be kept away from light and heat, and for especially neurotic cats that won’t drink water (with the drops added to it) when stressed, a small plastic syringe of the drops diluted in water squirted into their mouths will suffice. They should calm down in minutes. Take the time to stop and let them find their groove again before heading off.

2. Before I Move My Cat.

Make sure your cats are up to date with their vaccinations, since they are going into unfamiliar territory. You will need to take your vet’s telephone number with you, since he knows your cat’s case history. Even before you arrive at your holiday destination, you can have the telephone number of the local vet and keep it handy.

3. Cat transport - avoid problems.

If the car is hot, your cat should not be in it. If you have been driving for an hour or two, a small stop for leg stretching and a drink is better than trying to give your cat water in the car, or letting them get hyperactive. Taking along treats and toys is a great idea, but bear in mind that you’re already changing a very stable environment for a chaotic set of new sensory inputs, so favourite, known smells and toys are best. And an upset stomach or vomiting can be part of the reaction to movement and change. Pack accordingly and don’t get angry if this happens.

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4. The leash

Cats are unpredictable in new surroundings, no matter how well you think you know your cat. It is essential that as you stop the car, it is clear to you that no one will open a door without the leash being on your treasured four-legged family member. The rule is: your cat does not leave the car without a leash on. A loud noise or unfamiliar sound can send them off in the wrong direction at just the wrong moment, in an environment full of moving vehicles. Once you are at your destination, this should apply too, since other cats and sounds can still spook your cat. Micro chipping is a good back-up in this case.

5. Cat Pit-stops

You should stop every hour or two for your cat to have a quick sniff, change of scenery, and lift a leg. Since you should not feed your cat 3-4 hours prior to leaving in order to minimize car-sickness, you may not need the pooper-scooper and some sealable bags. But do pack them in case. If you really feel your cat needs a snack, give them some time to digest before getting back into the car. Generally, since cats are so sensitive, they won’t want to eat until they are settled, and water every hour or so is fine.

6. Restraint

There are two excellent reasons why restraint is a good idea. First, we buckle up to prevent ourselves becoming projectiles in case of an accident. Even inside a crate a cat can get injured from a sudden stop, unless it is well padded. Second, if your cat becomes too bored or restless, it may well try to get into the cool looking shady spot where the driver’s feet go, or onto your lap, and this is an unacceptable distraction while driving. If you can let the whole back seat go to the cats, you can not only buy a car seat cover, and install them with their favourite blankets, pillows and toys, there are mesh nets available from the AA shops in South Africa which section off the back seat altogether, but still allow visual and voice contact.

In Summary, you need to think and pack like you would for an extra member of the family with special needs. Remember that since they won’t be sticking their heads out of the window for entertainment, or sitting on your lap, regular stops for your cats to let off some spare energy, keep it fun, and have a drink become even more important.

Importing your cat to the USA : Quarantine and Health Requirements

By Cat Travel Monday October 5, 2009

America Cat Import Requirements

All cats entering the United States from other countries need to meet both vaccination and health requirements. All cats are subject to inspection at all ports of entry for any signs or symptoms of diseases which can be transmitted to humans.

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