Planning A Trip
Taking a Vacation?
Everyone needs to get away from time to time. But something people do not plan for is how are they going to care for their animals while they are gone.
If you are only going away for up to 2-3 days and have only 1 or 2 cats you can get away without having anyone actually coming to your home to feed/clean litter boxes. Make sure you have very, very large litter boxes… maybe 3 or 4 and have them filled about 3 ½ inches tall so they can hold more. Use self-feeders for food and water and fill them to the top. See Example: These feeders are not only great during vacationing, but also for regular normal use.
If you are planning on having a longer trip, you need to invest in a reputable pet-sitter with references. Not just anyone can cat-sit. Not everyone knows how to come into a house properly with cats. They could easily run through their feet and be gone in a heartbeat. Typically people come two times a day to feed, change water and scoop the litter. Another way to have a pet-sitter help you is by bringing them to their own home. Basically, you don’t want to have to board them at a vet center because cages are horrible! Also, people do not realize that the price of pet-sitters vs. vet boarders or kennels are always practically the same.
Moving?
If you are moving and need to bring the animal with you by plane, make sure you bring them on as carry-on luggage. You will need to get an airline approved carrier. Typically the soft duffel- mesh type is used. Check with the airlines before you buy your ticket, to make sure they accept animals to begin with. Shipping them in the cargo area is dangerous and should NEVER be done!