HELP! How Do I Transport A Dog & 2 Cats To A New Home?

Question

I have been left with numerous animals. I have found homes for the few I had to part with, which has already been difficult. I to keep Ginger, a large, loving dog, and two cats, one who already seems traumatized by the disruption. The distance will take me at least two days to travel! I have a Geo Prism... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. (Please, no cruel or harsh comments. I love these animals and WILL NOT hurt them!)

Answer 1

Hi - You can get for roughly 12 dollars a small bottle
of "Rescue Remedy" from GNC. It is I think a
homeopathic preperation that many ASPCA
organizations and other pet associated
organizations use. It lasts a long time and
can be used by humans as well.

Use as directed a few drops maybe 1 or 2 for a cat
or 4 for a large dog will calm them down dramatically.
I brought my two cats 600 miles in a small car
with it and no problem.

Just used a large kitty transport with door open
and a small disposable litter box inside with
a bowl of water and a very small amount of food.
Stopped every few hours to play with them a
bit and make a fuss. Keep the car cool to
avoid any overheating and check on them at least
once every 30 minutes.

When you arrive, place animals in one room and
slowly over the enxt few days allow them to explore
more rooms to allow them to elarn the layout and
new smells etc., After three or four days like nothing
happened.

Big trick is lots of loving affection and care,
control temperature and provide clean fresh
water ( mine likes Aquafina water - spoilt kitties
and proud of it ).

I havnt had a dog in a long while but I am sure
minor variations of the above would suit.

Oh and just in case - all pets have a collar or some
id in case they get loose. Horror stories of people
allowing a dog to walk without a leash or opening
the car door to get gas and the cat leaping out.
I always placed cats in large cage ( door closed)
and I guess you could leash the dog when I got
gas.

Good luck

Answer 2

I'd put the two cats in carriers on the back seat and the dog in the front. The dog doesn't need a carrier if she can travel well and stay calm, but you should get her one if she will be excited and want to run around. In the car, keep them in carriers for a while until they get used to the car if they're not used to traveling already. After awhile, open the carriers and prop the doors open so the cats can stay in the carriers if they want but they can come out if they want. Stop periodically, every few hours. If you must leave the cats unattended in the car, don't leave for more than a couple of minutes because the car will get hot fast. Make sure the doors on the cats' carriers are closed and the dog is on a leash before you open any car doors. Offer the animals water and a litter box every few hours. Keep some small trash bags so you can scoop the litter box and drop the bags in trash cans. I traveled with cats and kept a litter box on the floor so they could use it when they wanted to. If you plan on staying at a motel, either find one that accepts animals in advance and make a reservation or keep your animals very very quiet and inconspicuous.

Answer 3

buy a cat carrier and just let the dog ride in the seat i had to carry 2 dogs and 3 cats in a mustang for a day and a 1/2 make sure you have food and water, the cats wont be happy about the trip and you might want to leave them in the carrier for a little while after you get to where you are going so they can adjust you can stop and let the dog out for a walk every time you stop for a break dogs travel alot better than cats at least mine did, good luck

Answer 4

3 Kennels, collars (I prefer harnesses) and leads and ID tags for everyone (make sure this is a GOOD contact number). food & water dishes for everyone. The water from your present home in bottles & their regualr food.

Don't expect too much food intake but stop for water and breaks frequently. You will know when, your dog will let you know. If your cats have been outdoor cats, walk them & your dog.

If they were indoor cats, give them a litter box. water & a bit of food when you stop for the night. Don't be surprised if they don't eat and just drink water & pee. There may be some motion sickness here if they haven't traveled much before. Same with the dog.

I sure hope the air conditioning works in your car. Otherwise, this could be a very bad trip for everyone. Remember, never leave an animal in a parked car no matter how far you put the windows down during the day. It would be better to put your cats in the kennels outside your car if you have to stop to eat/bathroom etc. At night, you can leave them in their kennels in the car, for brief periods only, ff you leave the windows down. One of the reasons I used to prefer to drive at night

Answer 5

Get a kennel for Ginger, and two carriers for the cats. Make sure to let them run around inside the car sometimes, and bring a portable litterbox(im sure the sell those SOMEWHERE) and let you cats go in there at reststops. Let your dog go for walks, so bring a leash. However, it may just be easier to rent a U-Haul, and take you pets on a plane.

Answer 6

Talk to your vet. Maybe they can prescribe a mild tranquilizer for the cats. That will make the trip more smooth. The dog will probably love the ride. Keep the cats in carriers at all times.

Try this site: http://www.thecatsite.com/Care/13/Traveling-with-Cats.html

Answer 7

crate them in the car - at least crate the cats
sometimes you can turn a cardboard box into a temporary crate and some vets or pet store sell boxes like this

you might be able to drug the cats for the trip - ask your vet

keep lots of water for the animals and plan to stop often to exercise the dog

don't leave the animals alone in the car for more than the time it takes for you to stop and go to the bathroom

Answer 8

This is a tough one especially since your car is a small one. Only thing I can think of is let the dog sit beside you in the front seat, and put the 2 cats in a carrier. good luck!

Answer 9

The cat's I'd put in car carriers large enough for them, the dog I'd let have free roam of the back seat! It really depends on how well they travel!

Answer 10

buy some pet carriers- one for each of appropiate sizes- and be sure to bring bottles of water and some food for the trip- be sure to also bring a litter box with litter and scoop-maybe even litter liners for the cats so they can go in the car and stop to let the dog go to. Also if your crossing over state lines you need to go to your vet so you can get the paper work signed for it- its illegal to cross lines without it. If you do and get caught it could be a huge fine!
You should be able to get all the appropaite supplies at your local pet store.