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Conference misery::feline

Title:Meower Power - Where Differing Opinions are Respected
Notice:purrrrr...
Moderator:JULIET::CORDES_JA
Created:Wed Nov 13 1991
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1079
Total number of notes:28858

357.0. "Cat Camping" by TNPUBS::WIX () Wed Aug 19 1992 11:58

Okay, here's one. I have two friends both of whom are
cat owners. They are going on a camping trip. One of 
wants to bring their two cats. The other is not so sure.

The plan is to drive from the Boston area to upper NY
state and paddle a canoe out to an island where there is
camping, set up camp, and keep the cats penned up during
the day whenever they are not around.

I think this is folly.

I am, however open minded enough to solicit other
people's opinions. So what's the verdict? Has anyone
else tried this? Did it work? Can it work?

Thanks,

Jack

P.S. They are borrowing my tent.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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357.1MAGEE::MERRITTKitty CityWed Aug 19 1992 12:357
    Jack....I would never do this to my kitties because
    of their stress and my stress worrying that they
    could potentially get away.  They will be very
    nervous in this new enviroment...and will try to
    escape at any chance.
                     
    Sandy
357.2Who's vacation!?ERLANG::FALLONKaren Fallon "Moonsta Cattery"Wed Aug 19 1992 13:049
    Yes, the cats would be absolutely terrified.  They generally don't like
    any kind of change, let alone a new environment, smells, animals,
    danger (rabies).  What if the canoe tipped? The cats could drown.  I
    feel this would be a horrific mistake.  Your friends need to realize
    that as much as this is a vacation and enjoyable to them, they are not
    the cats. Cats see things in a different way than People, They Are
    Animals.
    Please talk to them....
    Karen
357.3Jack, you could offer to catsit for them :^)SPEZKO::RAWDENCheryl Graeme RawdenWed Aug 19 1992 13:155
    It sounds like the only reason they are taking the cats on the trip is
    to avoid the cost of having someone come in to care for them.  Why on
    earth would anyone drag cats to a strange environment only to keep them
    caged?  A ride in the car to the vet is traumatic enough!  If it were
    me, I'd tell the owner(s) to get a grip.
357.4They would be safer and happier at home.....BUSY::MANDILEIsn't it my turn yet?Wed Aug 19 1992 13:433
    I say "not a good idea"......
    
    Lynne
357.5My 2 pennies....NEST::REEDSafe Sax & ViolinsWed Aug 19 1992 14:3318
    Howdy Jack!
    
    I would have to agree that it'd probably not be a good idea. My first
    cat Harry came to me while I was out camping (come to think of it, so
    did Escoh...same place too...hmmm). Due to extenuating circumstances,
    he learned to like riding around in my truck and traveling with me
    wherever I went. But that was VERY unusual behavior for a cat!
    (Personally I think he was a dog in cat fur! ;^)
    
    I personally, wouldn't want to risk losing my cats, want to but us ALL
    through stress, have to worry needlessly, etc. Only if the cats were
    brought up this way, came each & every time they were called, were up
    to date on all their shots, etc. would I even think about it.
    
    What are they going to do if it rains the whole time. Soggy moggies do
    NOT a happy camping trip make! ;^D
    
    Roslyn
357.6PANACH::sandyAre you unpoopular?Wed Aug 19 1992 16:017
	Well, I'll preface this by saying that I'd never take my babies
	out camping, as I'd be far too worried about them to enjoy myself.
	But I know a woman who has taken her cats along, as well as her
	dog.  All of her cats are leash-trained, and she ties them up
	at the campground, and claims that they really enjoy it. 

357.7no way!!!PARITY::DENISEAnd may the traffic be with youWed Aug 19 1992 16:4314
      Never in a million years would I take my sweeties out in the woods!
    What about strangers getting at them or letting them out of their
    "cage" while the humans were out canoeing?
    What about bears and other wildlife?
    What about losing them forever in the wilds?
    And yes, everyone is right, the stress and terror would be
    unbelievable!
    
    As much as I hate being away from my babes, I feel much better knowing
    a trusted person is taking care of them, that they are safe in the
    house, warm and dry, no car rides, no strangers, no strange
    environments, all their toys and stuff are there.
    
     no never! a camping trip! YIKES!
357.8Happy camper kitties...NOT!JULIET::CORDES_JAFour Tigers on My CouchWed Aug 19 1992 20:3911
    I'm with the rest of the folks here.  I would never take my kitty
    kids camping.  Aside from the fact that they would be major stressed
    and likely never to forgive me for making them leave their comfy home,
    I'd be scare to death they'd get loose and I'd never see them again.
    Can you imagine how hard it would be to find them again out in the
    wilderness?  It's near impossible to find a missing kitty in an area
    both the cat and owner are familiar with.
    
    I hope your friends reconsider.
    
    Jan
357.9how about a 4 week old kitten?MEMORY::BROWERThu Aug 20 1992 09:1810
         Oh-oh we're taking a 4 week old kitten camping with us next week.
    Mostly because we really don't know anyone that would be able to give
    it proper care while we're away. The only family in town that I'd 
    consider entrusting him to is also away. Heck we're housesitting for
    their dog, horse, and 4 cats one of which had kittens on Monday. I
    figure our little furface will be sleeping most of the time anyway
    so he's not likely to know what's going on. I will have to make sure
    the propane tank is full so I can keep the camper warm enough for it.
    
           Bob
357.10Please tell them not toAIMHI::PMURPHYThu Aug 20 1992 09:4114
    
    I certainly agree that this would be a very dangerous thing to do. 
    Unlike dogs that can adjust to changes much easier, cats really get
    upset when taken from their environment and the first chance they'd get
    they'd be gone into the woods, possibly forever.  Please, please have
    your friends reconsider.  There must be someone they know that could
    take care of them while they're on vacation or they could even leave
    them with automatic dry food feeders/waterers in their home along with
    a couple of litterboxes and they'd be fine for a week or 2.  The cats
    would be much happier being home and your friends would have a more
    relaxed vacation.
    
    Pat & Clan
      
357.11Kampin' KittiesMCIS5::SURETTEI really, really hate fleasThu Aug 20 1992 14:1917
    
    re: .9
    
    Bob,
    
    With a four week old kitten, I would imagine your chances of the little
    babe adjusting to camping, travel, outdoors, etc. are much greater than an
    established adult cat.
    
    I camp, too, and I wish I had the foresight to "break in" my babies.
    
    Bring flea powder.
    
    Janet
    
    
    
357.12APOLLO::BROWERThu Aug 20 1992 16:016
        RE:-1  Yes I'll definitely bring flea powder or off. I always get
    the dang things on me when I go for a walk outside. Sometimes I think I
    bring in more than my other cats ;-). Mayhaps I should consider wearing
    flea collars on my ankles. 
    
         Bob
357.13this is dangerous anywhere in the woods!FORTSC::WILDEwhy am I not yet a dragon?Thu Aug 20 1992 18:2017
when in the wilderness, please remember that a cat or kitten that is left
along is dinner-on-the-paw for a great many medium-sized to large predators.
Animals that would ordinarily avoid a human encampment will enter camp for
food...and the domestic feline is high on their lists of edibles.  If you
must take a cat or kitten, keep it with you at all times, secured by either
a harness or in a crate.  Do not leave the animal alone at ALL...and don't
confine the animal to the car or a trailer - it will get too hot very
quickly and cats do not process heat well at all.

I would strongly recommend leaving cats at the vets/kennel/or at home ...
you can leave out dry kibble and lots of food and cats will be fine for
2 days.  If going for longer periods, ask a friend or hire a pet sitter
to come in daily and take care of things...but don't take a cat to the
woods.  even if you stay with the cat, if something is hungry enough out
there, you might end up face to face with parts of nature you'd rather
not meet....they will smell the scat and hear the cats' cries so they
will know your animal is there.
357.14SUBURB::THOMASHThe Devon DumplingFri Aug 21 1992 08:3618
	My brother and his wife rescued a ferral in England, and 
	managed to get it to come indoors by gradually moving the food in.
	- But he wouldn't stay long, and really kicked up if the door was shut.
	When they emigrated to Canada, (it was heavily sedated to get there)
	they bought a leash and trained it to wear the leash, outdoors, they 
	had it on one of those long-extendable leads.

	It happily goes north camping with them with no problems - however they
 	take him everywhere with them, and he sleeps in the tent.
	He is not left behind or by himself.
	They say he is very happy, and leaving him anywhere confined or just
	indoors would be dreadful for him.

	I guess it would depend on the cat, and the owners, whether taking the 
	cat with them would be better than leaving it behind.

	Heather
357.15MEMORY::BROWERFri Aug 21 1992 14:346
              I'm working on a friend of mine to see if he and his wife
    would be able to take care of my lttle charge. It's still being hand
    fed so it requires a bit more attention than a cat/kitten eating solid 
    food.
    
             Bob
357.16SPEZKO::RAWDENCheryl Graeme RawdenFri Aug 21 1992 14:452
    Bob, where do you live?  Perhaps one of us could volunteer to look
    after your babe.  
357.17I will just have to wait and see...TNPUBS::WIXMon Aug 24 1992 14:496
I don't know what the final outcome was but I want
to thank all of you for your replies. One cat is 
going to stay with friends but the fate of the other 
is uncertain.

Jack
357.18MEMORY::BROWERTue Aug 25 1992 11:547
        Re:-2 I live in New Braintree Mass. which is WNW of Worcester.
    We'll be leaving this Thursday in the early afternoon for the White mtn
    area of New Hampshire. I'm reluctant to impose on anyone ,as he can be
    a bit demanding, but wouldn't refuse any offers. I figure he's about
    4 weeks old now. 
    
           Bob
357.19Ivan is a happy camperESD93::BROWERMon Aug 31 1992 09:1515
          Our trip to the White Mountains went off without a hitch. It also
    looks as if my wife won't be able to part with the little one. Who is
    now name Ivan.
          We camped at Twin Mountain KOA for 3 nights. Ivan who is still
    only 4-5 weeks old adjusted well to the new surroundings. We decided to
    use one of our cat carriers for his sleeping quarters. He went with us
    wherever we went ie: the top of Mt. Washington and shop hopping around
    North Conway. None of the merchants minded the fact that we were
    carrying around a kitten. The only thing he wasn't too crazy about was
    some of the long drives in the car.
          The couple that own and run the campground are cat lovers... So
    we couldn't leave Ivan alone, else the wife may have taken him :-)
    
    
               Bob