First and foremost, proper preparation is key. In addition to packing, shipping, or selling your stuff and getting your car road-ready, take these steps to get your cats road-ready, too.
1. Get your cats vetted and microchipped
Before you leave, make sure that your cats’ vaccinations are up to date and that they have a supply of any medications they need. A microchip can be a lifesaver if one of your cats goes missing along the way.2. Research health certificate requirements
If you’re flying with your cats, you will need to have health certificates. Otherwise, import requirements vary from state to state. Washington, for example, requires a certificate of veterinary inspection for each animal and proof of current rabies vaccination, but pets traveling in cars with their owners are exempt from the certificate requirement. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service provides links to import licensing requirements for each state.
3. Research pet licensing requirements at your destination
The city of Seattle requires that all cats be licensed within 30 days of their arrival. That means I’ll have a month after I get there to go to City Hall (or wherever the pet licensing agency is) and get Siouxsie, Thomas, and Bella’s licenses. You can usually find this information on the city's website or by doing a web search for something like "[location] pet licensing rules."4. Find pet-friendly hotels along your route and reserve rooms
PetsWelcome is a website that allows you to enter the beginning and end of your trip and provides a directory of every pet-friendly hotel along your route. Each hotel has slightly different requirements and pet deposit fees, so be sure that you can comply with the hotel’s pet policy. I’d also recommend deciding how far you can comfortably drive each day and reserving rooms at those points along your route before you leave.
5. Organize your cats’ information
Keep your cats’ veterinary records, along with photos and descriptions of each cat, in an easily accessible folder or tote in your vehicle. Keep a pet first-aid kit and your cats’ medications here, too.6. Gather your pet supplies before you leave
Get enough cat food to last for the duration of the trip, plus a couple of more days in the event of delays. If you buy canned food, get a product with a pull top. Have paper towels, spare carrier liners, puppy pads, and pet stain cleaners easily available. Get a small bag of the litter they currently use and a few disposable litter boxes. I’d also recommend that you bring some Feliway spray and Rescue Remedy or some other calming flower essence.
1. Keep your cats’ needs and comfort in mind
Pull up all food and water an hour before you leave. That will allow your cats to eat and do their litter box business before you hit the road, and it will reduce the chance that they’ll vomit. Make sure you have your “road food” packed before you leave, too; don’t leave your cats alone in your car to pick up groceries. While driving, keep the music at a reasonable volume.
2. Buckle up for safety
Keep your cats in their carriers, and strap those carriers in with seat belts to ensure safety in the event of an accident or emergency stop. Never, ever open your cats’ carriers with the car doors open; it takes only a second for them to flee and become lost in unfamiliar territory.3. Be as relaxed as possible
A long-distance move is a huge transition. Your life and your cats’ lives are changing forever. This trip can be an amazing experience for all of you if you can be fully present because, after all, the journey is as important as the destination.
Marion Lovato is the author of Sam, the Superkitty. Her book
describes an ordinary cat changing into a superhero to protect his
family from things that go bump in the night. Available on Amazon as a
paperback or Kindle edition.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1604588667
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