Conference misery::feline_v1

    I just went through this. American was the only one that would
    guarnante a temp controlled-pressurized cargo space. Also they
    charge $30.00 per kennel. All of the other major airlines I called
    would not promise temp control. Also tehy wanted $65 and up per
    animal. Call air freight at American.
    

    Also, you can take one cat on the plane under your seat in the
    small airline carriers (low cost - about $12.00)  - then only
    put one in baggage - maybe take the most nervous or timid on
    under your seat - I am flying Piedmont to Dayton OH in January
    with Katenka - she will go under the seat for $60.00 round
    trip - you will only need a one way ticket for the cats.
    Make sure that the animals are ticketed - if you don't
    have tickets for them, you will be delayed at the terminal.
    Also, make sure that your carrier fits under the seat -
    Piedmont allows a carrier that is:  17" long x 12" wide x 7.5 "
    high.  Other airlines may be different.
    
    Good Luck,
    
    E.T.

    Oops, I forgot - some airlines will only allow two cats in the cabin.
    If any other folks are flying with cats, you could have a problem.
    
    Reserve early!
    
    E.T.

    I would highly suggest that you contact the MSPCA, Animal rescue
    league and/or your Vet.  Any of these agencies should be able to
    give you reliable information.  You might also want to talk to your
    vet about a mild tranquilizer to help reduce the stress on your
    cats.
      Good luck!  
        Nancy DC
    

    I will be moving after the first of the year and have a question.  All
    of the above sound good and I will definitely talk to my vet about a
    mild tranquilizer but I am wondering if there are any "professionals"
    that will move my cats.  No matter what I do, I am sure I will
    traumatize the cats and if there is some company/organization that
    makes a living by transporting your animals comfortably, I would love
    to have them do it.  Does anyone know of such an outfit?
    
    Denise
    

    Ken 
    
    You may also want to look into a non-stop flight or at least a flight
    where your pets don't have to change planes.  This is usually where
    you can run into problems. Pets end up on the wrong plane or they
    can be left outdoors for a long time in the cold.  I'm sure this
    wouldn't bother King but your new kitten might be affected.
    
    When I shipped Sam from Michigan, we used Northwest Airline.  They
    also had a heated compartment.  They were very nice and we had Sam
    in our arms within 15 minutes of the plane landing.  The trick is
    to call the airlines (at both ends) and make sure EVERYONE knows
    that your pets are on that plane!  
    
    Jeanne
    

    re:6  
    
    agree agree agree - lots of up front communication - I, too, have
    a nonstop flight scheduled - it sure makes things smoother!
    
    E.T.

    Ken,
    
    When we located quite a few years ago, I think we used a firm called
    Pet Express but I'm not 100% sure of its name.  What I did find, 
    however, is a listing of 3 firms in the yellow pages under the 
    heading Pet Transportation Service.  The numbers here in California 
    may not help you very much but at least you know that they are
    available. Pet Express is one of those listed, so it looks like
    they're still available.
    
    By the way, I heartily recommend using them if you find a firm you
    can work with.  The folks came right to our door, collected our
    cats, provided the carriers (which we later opted to buy), took
    care of meeting all travel regulations (certificates and shots), 
    boarded them for a couple days during the most hectic times, and 
    delivered them right to our new house when we were ready.  Since
    the shortest route included a change of planes, they had someone right 
    at that airport to take them from one plane to the other so they 
    would not be left on the tarmack nor be unattended. 
    
    Moving is hectic enough as it is and I certainly appreciated knowing
    that my cats were well cared for while I was busy with other details
    (like, "What do you mean, there's been a fire on the moving van????")
                                     
    Best of everything to you with your move and your new job.  Keep
    us posted and let us know how your pets are coping.  If there's
    any additional information I can provide, please let me know.
    
    Jill

    Oops!  re: -1
    
    That was Denise who asked for that information.  
    
    Sorry,
    
    Jill

    Thanks.  I'll look into your suggestions.
    
    Denise

         Thanks for all your inputs.  All your information will help
    calm my wifes fears about traveling with the animals.  I will
    definately try to get thru flights and heated cargo area.  Thanks
    again and have a good New England winter too all of you around here
    and Happy holidays to all if I don't get back into the network
    by then!!
              Ken

Will Jill, (BIGSUR::GRAFTON_JI), who wrote reply .8  re: "Pet Express, I think"
*please* send me those phone #'s in California right away! I tried to send you
mail but wasn't able to reach your node.

Here's my story:

Don, my S.O., has 1-2 cats who are living with his brother Mike in Southern 
California while he (Don) was abroad attending school. Don is now here in NH 
and wants to reunite his "family". Last night he called his brother to arrange 
this and it turns out his brother's wife hates cats and hasn't allowed them in 
the house, despite the fact that they were raised as indoor pets. The result 
is that one of Don's cats has disappeared. He's been missing almost a week. 
Don is hysterical, blames himself for "betraying Dusty", etc etc. He wants to 
go out to L.A. and search for the missing cat himself, but if that is 
financially impossible (you all know how much money students make, right? Zip!)
then he wants to get the remaining pet here ASAP. The guy is desperate. I'm
almost at the point of buying him a ticket to LA but it's terribly costly
this time of year ($500-900!).

I have friends in LA that are cat lovers and I'm sure one of them would take
the cat that's still there and keep it inside until Don could arrange to get
it here. So I am looking for info on relocating the cat (sympathy is also
welcome!). If you or anyone you know is going to LA and would be willing to
play delivery person then please let me know that too.

Thanks,
	Sue

    Could his turkey brother ask the neighbors if they know where the
    missing cat is?
    

His brother has checked with the neighbors and the local SPCA and the pound 
and the cops etc every day since the cat disappeared. So far no sign of him,
dead or alive. They live near the desert, so I'm afraid the cat may have
wandered off thataway and been attacked by a wild animal. (But being from NH
I've never seen a desert, so that fear could be idiotic!)

So far we've got the remaining kitty as far as Kentucky. My pal Matt is going
from LA to Ky for Xmas and he agreed to bring Nermal with him. So we're 
probably going to drive to Louisville and get him.

However, I just got the Pet Express #'s from Jill (THANKS!) so I'll check
with them before we head west.

	Sue
    

For those of you who have been following this little soap opera, here's an 
update:

	1. American wants $129 to ship the cat to Boston. We'll probably do
		that next week.

	2. We decided not to send him to Kentucky with my friend Matt because 
		it would probably cost at least $129 to go get him there! Might
		as well fly him to Logan!

	3. My stepsister Shannon is getting the cat tomorrow. Shannon is a cat
		person who lives in L.A. (Hollywood area). She'll keep him 
		indoors, take him to the vet and the airport for us and 
		generally pamper the little critter until we can fly him east.

	4. Pet Express would do all the stuff Shannon is doing for a $100 fee
		plus airfare plus the vet's charges. (Not too bad if you don't 
		have any cat-loving relatives or friends in LA!).

	5. No sign of the other cat yet. I found out my wild-animal fears are
		not unfounded! Coyotes have killed numerous cats and dogs in
		Victorville which is why Don begged his brother and his wife to
		keep the cats inside. Wonder if he'll ever forgive them...

	Thanks for listening. Next I'll be looking for notes on "step-families"
	since we'll soon be introducing his cat to mine!

		Sue

    
    
    	Good luck.  Hope that the other cat turns up!
    
    	Karen