How might I move a cat 3000 miles during a pandemic?
June 13, 2020 3:51 PM Subscribe
A dear friend of mine died a couple months ago; their roommate is still caring for their cat, but has physical health issues that make this untenable for the long term. I am trying to help my friend’s roommate find a local home for the cat, but nothing has panned out so far. I would love to adopt him myself, but I live across the country (USA). What would be the safest way to achieve this if it came to that?
My friend lived in New England; I live in California (SF Bay Area). Cat is okay for now with my dear departed friend’s roommate, but I promised my friend before they died that I would either bring their cat to live with me or find him a good local home if anything happened to them. Having him end up in a shelter would be totally unacceptable, so I am trying to do whatever research I can to determine my options.
I really do not feel safe flying right now, so I am thinking in terms of a pet relocation service. But I know nothing about these services and am not even sure how to assess them. Money isn’t NO object (I can’t afford to spring for a private jet for him), but I could do a couple thousand if need be. I would be especially interested in personal experiences from anyone who has moved a pet a long distance during COVID, or who has used a pet transport service at any point in time. Thank you.
My friend lived in New England; I live in California (SF Bay Area). Cat is okay for now with my dear departed friend’s roommate, but I promised my friend before they died that I would either bring their cat to live with me or find him a good local home if anything happened to them. Having him end up in a shelter would be totally unacceptable, so I am trying to do whatever research I can to determine my options.
I really do not feel safe flying right now, so I am thinking in terms of a pet relocation service. But I know nothing about these services and am not even sure how to assess them. Money isn’t NO object (I can’t afford to spring for a private jet for him), but I could do a couple thousand if need be. I would be especially interested in personal experiences from anyone who has moved a pet a long distance during COVID, or who has used a pet transport service at any point in time. Thank you.
I am sorry for your loss.
Can you clarify the “local” part of “...or find him a good local home”?
Would it be an acceptable outcome for Cat to be successfully rehomed in Friend's part of New England, with the help of a rescue operation in that area?
Or is the idea that Cat would live at least near you if not with you, thus requiring a cross-country move either way?
posted by D.Billy at 4:01 PM on June 13, 2020
Can you clarify the “local” part of “...or find him a good local home”?
Would it be an acceptable outcome for Cat to be successfully rehomed in Friend's part of New England, with the help of a rescue operation in that area?
Or is the idea that Cat would live at least near you if not with you, thus requiring a cross-country move either way?
posted by D.Billy at 4:01 PM on June 13, 2020
Best answer: I have used a pet relocation service for my cats (in Australia, not the US, but I imagine they are broadly similar).
It was great. It worked really well and I think was far less traumatic for my cats than a cross-country road trip would have been. One day of stress and it was over, rather than many days of stress and difficulty. The cats were weird and off-kilter for a few weeks afterward (although a lot of that was probably being in a new place as well), but there were no long-term effects and they are healthy and happy.
The best thing about the pet relocation service: besides being better for the cats, it was also way easier for me than anything else would have been. They picked up the cats from one door and delivered to another door. The cats were kept in their cage (with water and food and toys) the whole time. I had a tracking number so I could see where they were at all times. And it wasn't that expensive, around the same price as plane tickets would have been.
posted by forza at 4:09 PM on June 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
It was great. It worked really well and I think was far less traumatic for my cats than a cross-country road trip would have been. One day of stress and it was over, rather than many days of stress and difficulty. The cats were weird and off-kilter for a few weeks afterward (although a lot of that was probably being in a new place as well), but there were no long-term effects and they are healthy and happy.
The best thing about the pet relocation service: besides being better for the cats, it was also way easier for me than anything else would have been. They picked up the cats from one door and delivered to another door. The cats were kept in their cage (with water and food and toys) the whole time. I had a tracking number so I could see where they were at all times. And it wasn't that expensive, around the same price as plane tickets would have been.
posted by forza at 4:09 PM on June 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
It might be possible to get a chain of volunteers to drive the cat across the country. I know there are various rescue groups that coordinate this type of thing. Good luck, thank you for helping the cat, and I'm so sorry about your friend.
posted by poppunkcat at 4:11 PM on June 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by poppunkcat at 4:11 PM on June 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: To clarify: it would be fine for cat to be rehomed in Friend’s part of New England, but I would strongly prefer for it to be with someone I already know (with the second best choice being someone someone I know can personally vouch for). I am putting out feelers in my personal network in that area, but also trying to be proactive in case none of them can take my friend’s cat. (Also, I feel like my deceased friend would very much prefer for me to take him in if possible, but that they would also understand my not being able to fly out any time soon due to COVID).
posted by aecorwin at 4:18 PM on June 13, 2020
posted by aecorwin at 4:18 PM on June 13, 2020
I have a friend who runs a terrific cat rescue a little ways north of Boston. (I just adopted a fantastic adult cat from her rescue a few months ago.) If it would help you to get connected with her, either to take the cat directly or to talk to you about options in New England, send me a note via MeMail.
posted by Sublimity at 4:45 PM on June 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Sublimity at 4:45 PM on June 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I’ve used pet transport companies across borders and have had very good experiences— worth the money if you have it to spare. Ask around for companies with a good reputation. The cat’s vet might be able to give you some good local options.
posted by frumiousb at 4:47 PM on June 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by frumiousb at 4:47 PM on June 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I think that you and your dear friend's cat may find solace with each other. I would seek that as the option, instead of adopting him or her out to local strangers. As a single person with a cat, it would give me GREAT comfort to know that my fur was being loved by a friend. Good luck and peace to you all.
posted by cyndigo at 5:26 PM on June 13, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by cyndigo at 5:26 PM on June 13, 2020 [7 favorites]
Best answer: Is this a thing that would work maybe four months from now but not right now? Because I think pet relocation would be your best bet but it might not be tough to get someone to take the cat in in the short term for a few months and give the roommate a break? Short term local fosters might be an ok plan (and if it's in Vermont lmk, I could take a cat for a few months)
posted by jessamyn at 6:23 PM on June 13, 2020
posted by jessamyn at 6:23 PM on June 13, 2020
I've put my cats on a plane to send them ahead of me to a friend's house during a cross country move. They rode in the cargo hold, so they charge by weight, and you'll need proof of vaccines. I think it was around $60 per cat. The airline took excellent care of them, they had an assigned attendant for food/water/petting.
posted by ananci at 8:07 PM on June 13, 2020
posted by ananci at 8:07 PM on June 13, 2020
They rode in the cargo hold
Do not do this. Too many people I know have had pets die traveling in cargo. Find someone who can fly with the cat as carry-on in a carrier, or find a way to go get the cat yourself that isn't a plane.
posted by tzikeh at 8:20 PM on June 13, 2020 [7 favorites]
Do not do this. Too many people I know have had pets die traveling in cargo. Find someone who can fly with the cat as carry-on in a carrier, or find a way to go get the cat yourself that isn't a plane.
posted by tzikeh at 8:20 PM on June 13, 2020 [7 favorites]
I work for Southwest Airlines and I have come to know about a group of employees who volunteer to transport rescue pets using non-rev benefits. I don't know any of them personally but it might worth a try to see if they can help you. Here is the website.
posted by CathyG at 10:05 PM on June 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by CathyG at 10:05 PM on June 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
If it were me, the answer would be a road trip. But then, my teen daughter and I did the homeless thing for six weeks, living in a Subaru legacy with a small dog and three cats, parking in a rest stop at night. Sleeping in rest stops while traveling, especially while in a hurry to get somewhere, doesn't bother me in the slightest. (If anyone wants advice for doing this with pets, now or in the future, feel free to message me. I did learn a few things that really helped. And no, the car did not smell afterwards.)
posted by stormyteal at 12:30 AM on June 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by stormyteal at 12:30 AM on June 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Not sure if this is helpful or not but I live in New England (Boston area) and would be happy to either a) foster kitty if current situation with roommate comes to an end before you can figure this out, b) transport kitty to CA if you cover the cost of the plane ticket. I have a bit of experience transporting cats by plane (my own, and a few socialized feral rescues).
In evaluating transport companies, make sure they do not transport cats by crate in the luggage compartment. Should be an accompanied carry-on animal for the safety and well-being of kitty-pants.
posted by danapiper at 6:08 AM on June 14, 2020 [4 favorites]
In evaluating transport companies, make sure they do not transport cats by crate in the luggage compartment. Should be an accompanied carry-on animal for the safety and well-being of kitty-pants.
posted by danapiper at 6:08 AM on June 14, 2020 [4 favorites]
I moved 3 guinea pigs and a bird from Ohio to MA using a friend of my Ohio pet sitter. I paid her a ton of money and it was worth it. Who took care of this cat when your friend was on a trip? Maybe ask them if you haven't already.
posted by 8603 at 11:19 AM on June 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by 8603 at 11:19 AM on June 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
Money isn’t NO object (I can’t afford to spring for a private jet for him), but I could do a couple thousand if need be.
Post it in MeFi Jobs. I'm sure you can find a MeFite in New England who would be willing to transport a cat in exchange for a paid trip to San Francisco.
posted by Jacqueline at 1:00 AM on June 15, 2020 [4 favorites]
Post it in MeFi Jobs. I'm sure you can find a MeFite in New England who would be willing to transport a cat in exchange for a paid trip to San Francisco.
posted by Jacqueline at 1:00 AM on June 15, 2020 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: Not to threadsit, but in answer to 8603's question -- the roommate who currently has the cat was the one who used to watch him when my friend couldn't. She is ok keeping him on a temporary basis, but has medical issues (physical stuff that affects the ability to bend and lift) that aren't getting better and is mainly worried about the long term.
Also, THANK YOU to everyone who has commented so far with suggestions; I am now looking up all the pet transport companies and looking for one that covers the continental US and does not put pets in the cargo hold (there is no way I am letting my dear friend's precious boy ride as cargo, I would no sooner do that to this cat than I would to a human child). It's still possible someone local may adopt him, but in the ideal case I would manage to get him out here; it is definitely what my friend would have wanted most.
posted by aecorwin at 4:12 PM on June 15, 2020 [3 favorites]
Also, THANK YOU to everyone who has commented so far with suggestions; I am now looking up all the pet transport companies and looking for one that covers the continental US and does not put pets in the cargo hold (there is no way I am letting my dear friend's precious boy ride as cargo, I would no sooner do that to this cat than I would to a human child). It's still possible someone local may adopt him, but in the ideal case I would manage to get him out here; it is definitely what my friend would have wanted most.
posted by aecorwin at 4:12 PM on June 15, 2020 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Following up on this a few months later - I am relieved to report that my friend's cat has found his new forever home, not with me but with someone my friend trusted (and specifically named on a very short list of people she thought would be able to care for him if anything happened to her). It took a while to get in touch with this person, as I didn't actually have her contact info, but my friend's mom managed to track her down and everything went very smoothly from there.
I would have worked out a way to get him here if the other person (who is much more local to where my friend lived than I am) hadn't been able to step up, but I think that given the pandemic and the distance, this is the best possible outcome.
posted by aecorwin at 2:05 PM on November 25, 2020 [1 favorite]
I would have worked out a way to get him here if the other person (who is much more local to where my friend lived than I am) hadn't been able to step up, but I think that given the pandemic and the distance, this is the best possible outcome.
posted by aecorwin at 2:05 PM on November 25, 2020 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by summerstorm at 3:59 PM on June 13, 2020 [3 favorites]