Big Chubby Cat ... how do we transport Fuzz to Florida?

[danacara]

Attention Transportation Pros,

Big Chubby Cat ... how do we get Fuzz across the country?
My uncle is moving to Florida with his 20 pound cat, Fuzz. From what I understand (I haven't confirmed this), most airlines require a cat to fit into a 13x10x10 cat carrier that fits under the seat. There is no way Fuzz will fit in there.

So, do we have any options besides driving Fuzz? Can we buy him his own seat and take him in a bigger carrier? Does anyone know what to do with chubby pets?

Thanks
D

 

[safetymom]

Are you driving, flying? What time of year? More details would be helpful.

 

[danacara]

We are flying in November. We haven't purchased tickets yet, so we have some flexibility on airline. We aren't driving, but I think if the choice is between putting the cat in the airline cargo hold or driving him to Florida, they'd really be torn. My aunt and uncle absolutely dote on this cat and the cargo hold scares them. Is it possible to buy an extra seat for the cat, and bring on a slightly larger carrier that can be buckled into the seat?

 

[NotUrsula]

It's not possible to buy an extra seat for an animal; if they can't fit under the seat they have to go in the hold. However, a housecat, even a cat that large, should be able to get under a seat. You may want to buy an extra seat ostensibly for yourselves, so that you can bend down to check on the cat periodically.

The dimensions the airlines give are for hard-side carriers. You can get around that by buying a softside such as a Sherpa brand; they have carriers that will hold a 20# animal and still meet the dimensions for underseat carryon luggage. Sherpa even makes a wheeled carrier. As I'm sure you've discovered, the airline needs to know if there is an animal onboard, so none of this will be cheap. Be aware that many people will raise holy he11 if they find out a cat will be onboard; your and the cat may get bumped to another flight if that happens. (It's the whole allergies issue; somehow cat allergy people tend to be more vocal than dog allergy people. Grooming him carefully just before the trip may help, by getting rid of as much dander as possible.)
Some airlines won't allow animals in the cabin at all, so be sure you get one that will.

Cats can't always take meds for a plane trip; there can be issues w/ altitude. If meds are recommended by the vet, he should try them in advance, to make sure Fuzz doesn't have any problems with them. Probably woudn't hurt to put Fuzz on a little diet, either, losing a pd. or two would probably make him more comfortable in the carrier.

Here's an article from the Petsmart site on air travel w/ cats: http://www.petsmart.com/global/arti...<>ast_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1098123820191

 

[Tink03477]

I'm not a transportation pro, but I have a cat. She's 3 and I lOVE her TONS!!! I'd never torture her with the airport, waiting for the flight, the flight itself, baggage pickup and then more strange transportation home. Your aunt & uncle are moving there and aren't taking a car? Guess they're going to buy one there? I know the drive would be 2 days of car torture, but mostly on the people in the car! I do like the idea of kitty valium! If that's ok with Fuzz and the vet I'd go the plane route. Less painful for everyone, including Fuzz. I'm allergic to cats myself, yes I know; I have one. Don't care. Love her too much! I just take allergy pills and don't touch my face after petting her before washing my hands. I wouldn't mind if you brought her on the plane, I just wouldn't want to hear her crying. It's very sad. Hope the vet ok's sleeping pills for Fuzz!
Kim

 

[Aimeedyan]

They are moving by airplane? Not driving at all?

When my mom relocated to Orlando 2 years ago, she made the trek from Texas with cat in tow (in the car). Allie did REALLY well, they stopped often, had a little litter box in the back for her, etc. She found a pet friendly hotel to stay in one night and everything.

I, personally, would drive the cat. But I wouldn't be moving by plane...

 

[BigDave]

Can't help with a cat, but just wanted to say you should call airlines and ask about policies in general

After my sister made her plane reservations on line (jet blue), she called the airline and found out that there was a limit on the number of carry-on pets allowed so she couldn't take the flights she had chosen. They did change her flights for her without charge, but it didn't mention a limit to the number of pets on the website.

Also, each airline charges a different fee ranging from $25 to $100 (one way). so you should call the airlines that you are considering.

bigdave

 

[kylara]

If you do have to drive down, you might want to look into a RV rental one way from your area to FL. This might allow the cat more freedom since RVing tends not to be as hard on animals as car travel and they are not as cooped up.

cruiseamerica.com has one way rentals that they do.

 

[skiwee1]

I just have to add that I love the name Fuzz. Very cute!

 

[Chicago526]

Find out if Fuzz can fit in a carry-on container. If so, go that route, it's the safest, and most convieniant way to fly. If not, you've got two options. You must notify the airline ahead of time, they also only allow so many animals in the cabin, so it's first come, first serve. If there is no room on the flight, you'll either need to change or check the cat. There will be a charge for this.

1) Check the cat as baggage. The cargo hold is preserized but not heated that well. Many vets won't give medication to make the animal sleep due to the cold and altitude, the meds combined with the cold/altitdue may make the animale stop breathing. The carier must meet FAA guidlines, so find those out and make sure your's complies. There will also be a charge for checking your kitty.

2). Suck it up and drive with Fuzz. I helped my friend move from IL to FL last year, and Tigger came along. Tigger had her litter box, and a soft sided carrier with food and water. Tigger did just fine, except she'd try to sleep in my friends lap while she was driving!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Could your uncle possibly take a train or drive?

I could never put my dog in a cargo hold. I've heard too many horror stories.

 

[cherylp3]

Trains do not allow cats. The only animal allowed on a train would be a service animal.

Cheryl

 

[skiwee1]

When we moved to Italy we put a dog on one carrier and two cats in another large carrier and they went into the cargo hold. It was still heated down there and pressurized. We didn't have any problems and even brought them back like that. I think there are more pets transportated that way then most realize and get there without problems. You only hear the bad stories but most are good.

 

[phillybeth]

I volunteer for a national dog rescue group, and we have shipped dozens of dogs without incident. We've had more trouble with ground transports than with air!
I just shipped a dog last week. He was the star of the cargo facility, and he had his own personal baggage handler assigned to him on the ground- this guy took personal responsibility to make sure that the dog was ok and on the right flight at the right time. The dogs get treated better than the human passengers.
The shipping clerk told me that he was the third dog through that day, but the only one cleared to fly. There are certain requirments for food, water, size and structure of the crate, bedding. The pet needs a health certificate from a vet dated no more than 10 days before the flight and a current rabies certificate. The crate and the animal are hand-searched, no x-ray. I'm serioulsy thinking of getting an extra-large crate and flying myself the next time!

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Cant offer advice really but our dog tundra Traveled Boston-Los Angeles and Los Angeles-
mississippi on delta in the cargo hold and survived and came out well. Only problem was with some of Deltas Cargo staff in LAX but thats a different story.
Matt

 

[PrincessTToo]

I found this on the Northwest website:

- No animal travel (other than Carry-on) when the temperature at any point on the planned routing is below 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12°C).
- Dogs, cats, rabbits and other warm-blooded animals (except birds) traveling as Cargo must be accompanied by a Certificate of Acclimation, issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days prior to departure, when the temperature at any point on the planned routing is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 C).

You might not have to worry about the first restrictions (lucky you!) but the second one might be an issue. Please check your airline's website for restrictions like these.

I'm counting the days until I can retire and move to Florida (853 days to be exact), but my kitties and I are definitely going to drive there.