MeOW  Welcome to Service Cats and Everything Feline of Furidays. Each week we answer your questions ‘bout the general care, health and behavior and offur Training Tips fur the felines in your lives. Ifin you’ve missed any post in this series, you can check them out on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page in our menu. And ifin you have questions or topic suggestions you’d like to see, just let us know in the comments section below or by sending us a purrivate email via our Contact page. Last week angel Lexi came back to give you Tips fur making a local move with kitty. She’s back again today to tell you how to make a successful long distance move with your furry purrer(s). Raena and me have meowed it over and we’d luv to make a move, so ifin anypawdy has a shed, spare room or even a rental property you could spare, till we could get on our paws feet let us know. Anyways, let’s get the business outta the way and get on with today’s post. 

The following post will be written in human English for reader and translator ease. Our Service Cat posts aren’t intended to be an all inclusive Training Manual but rather Tips, Tricks and Techniques used/developed by mommy A thru her many years of animal training, cats in purr-ticular. And to offer insight into your questions about Everything Feline. Always remember, successful Training is all about Repetition and Rewards.

Preperations:

     Thanks Dezi. I’z actually loved moving from one place to another. New windows to look out and wildlife to see; and lots of new hiding places to explore. But, us kitties aren’t always fond of change, so moving can be a bit scary. I’z here to help and give you Tips to make the move as stress free as possible for you and kitty. Remember to have a Decompression Room available so kitty can escape the hustle and bustle, especially if you have an already skittish kitty. We also highly recommend Harness Training kitty before you leave/move. We recommend you read the Harness Training post as it also gives Tips for driving with kitty.

     Visit kitty’s V-E-T and get a copy of kitty’s records. These should be packed with your other “important” papers. Depending on where you’re moving from and to, you may need to keep out proof of kitty’s current vaccinations. We also recommend you take a gallon of water from your tap unless you give kitty bottled water. Water tastes different in different areas of the country, and we suggest a slow switch; just as you would when changing kitty’s food. You’ll also need a gallon of water for the actual drive/move.

The Destination:

     It’s always great when you have the new place picked out in advance, but kitty will do just fine in a motel room with you while you find your new home as long as you pack appropriately. It’s also a good idea to check out the V-E-Ts in the new area beforehand. With the internet, that’s not hard to do. Check reviews, call and speak with the office, and if you know people in the area, ask for referrals. Of course you don’t want kitty’s first experience in the new place to be a trip to the V-E-T, but you also don’t want to find yourself in a new area with an emergency and no clue where to go. 

Packing Up:

     As I’z mentioned last week, most kitties love a good box. So, don’t be stingy with your moving boxes, let kitty investigate and explore as you pack up each room. Keep out a few of kitty’s favorite toys, a mat or bed, favorite food and water bowl/fountain and a heavily scented towel. Remember, your smell/scent is calming to kitty. You’ll also want to leave kitty’s carrier(s) out and open so kitty can get comfortable. That heavily scented towel will go into kitty’s carrier/ptu when it’s time to load up and move. These prized items will be the last things packed up and should go into an overnight bag instead of a box. Think of them the way you would your own toothbrush and other daily grooming products. If kitty is on meds of any kind, keep those out and easily accessible as well. These items will be in kitty’s Decompression Room at both ends of the move. 

What? You wanna pack this too now?

     The day is here and the moving van or if you can afford them, the movers are right outside. If possible, close kitty in their Decompression Room and place a note on the door alerting everyone that kitty is inside and the door is not to be opened. If that’s not an option, go ahead and put kitty into their carrier/ptu and place them in a bathroom out of the way. Mommy likes to poke her head in once in a while and say hey and remind us that she loves us. You don’t have to do this, but it is calming and reassuring since we can hear the raucous outside. Again, no matter where you put kitty(ies), place a large note that alerts everyone to their presence. We have been known to escape a carrier or two. Once all the boxes have been loaded and you’re finally ready to go, load up kitties safely in the vehicle with you. 

The Drive:

     For safety and legal reasons we make this statement: Kitty should be in his/her carrier/ptu and be secured by a seat belt. It is true, this is the best and safest option. Now we’ll tell you how we and mommy do it. First and foremost, harness and leash kitty. The harness is a safety precaution as well as calming, if properly harnessed trained. I’z hated not being able to see out. I’z could be quite happy in the carrier, so long as I’z could see what was going on outside, as witnessed by the photo below. Dezi couldn’t care less about what’s going on around her so long as mommy’s close. I’z hear Raena is like me and wants to see everything. If you’re alone or the driver, we don’t recommend allowing kitty to be in your lap, but you’ll have to be the judge for yourself. Mommy makes sure that we’re strapped in the seat belt with her. And, our stroller is a great height for seeing out the windows.

     When making long trips, we recommend putting a litterbox in the back floorboard for kitty to use. When you stop to eat, gas up and refill drinks, make sure kitty gets food and water and the opportunity to use the litterbox if they’re crated. If kitty is free roam in the car, Do Not open doors or windows until kitty has been safely secured. If you’re driving a moving van, the litterbox will go in the passengers side floorboard. Do Not dine in and leave kitty in the vehicle alone. If you have to go inside to order, crack the windows and lock the doors. Return to the vehicle as soon as possible. Mommy likes to talk to us about where we’re going and how wonderful the new place will be. She also sings to us and tells us how much she loves us and how proud of us she is.

     Remember, YOU are our home, our safe place and our everything. Music has a calming effect on most animals. You don’t have to sing yourself, you can use the radio to soothe everyone’s nerves. Do Not use this time to change kitty’s food and do pick up some of kitty’s favorite treats. Kitty may or may not eat during the trip, and may or may not use the litterbox, but both should be offered. Mommy likes to take a medium sized syringe so she can give us water if we’re not drinking it from the bowl. You don’t want kitty to get dehydrated. If your move requires more than one day to travel, make sure you choose a pet friendly motel/hotel for your overnight rest stops. Check the rooms before releasing kitty for anything that might be a danger. We’ve found poison traps for mice, loose nails, and peeling paint in even some of the nicest motels. Before you leave the motel/hotel, pick up after kitty so that they’ll continue to be pet friendly. The same goes fur those of you with dogs…scoop woofies poop.

Your New Home:

     Once you’ve finally arrived at your new home, set up kitty’s Decompression Room first (Your bedroom is ideal for this). Ideally, kitty should stay in the carrier in the bathroom until you’ve set up your bed, their litterbox, food and water and a few toys. Then you can take kitty in, set the carriers down with the doors opens and go about the business of unpacking. Mommy recommends putting some catnip or silvervine on the floor/cat bed/mat/scratcher. Until all items are off the moving trucks and into the house, kitty should remain in the Decompression Room with the door closed. Don’t forget to place a note on the door alerting all to kitty’s presence and not to open the door.

     Once everything’s in the new house and the movers if hired, are gone, open the door of the Decompression Room and allow kitty to come out and explore. Sprinkle a little catnip or silvervine around the house for kitty to find. Mommy likes to take this time to place the litterbox and food and water in the space that will be their new home. During the first few hours, she will take us to the spot where the litterbox is now housed and puts us in it. She calls it homing in. We never stay in the box, but we also never forget where it’s located. This is extremely important for older kitties or blind kitties.

     Over the next few days to week, the house will start to look more like home. Kitty will locate new favorite spots and windows. Keep an eye out for these spots and place cat trees and perches in these spots. Give kitty extra love and attention and extra play time, it will help reassure kitty and relieve stress. Talk calmly to kitty as you unpack and set up your new home. Let kitty explore the boxes just as he/she did when you first packed them up. Take frequent unpacking breaks just to pet kitty and offer a treat or two. Moving is stressful for everybody, but it can be successful if you remain calm. Before you know it, everyone will acclimate and it’ll be old hat. Routines will be back to normal, or at least a new normal, and kitty will rule their new domain just as kitties should. 

Kitty’s Overnight Bag:

     Kitty’s overnight bag should contain enough of kitty’s regular food to last four days. You never know what might happen. You’ll also need a food dish or paper plates. A water bowl or fountain and a gallon of water from the tap of the old house. A few of kitty’s favorite toys and a fresh package of catnip or silvervine (whichever your cat prefers). A gallon baggy of extra litter and litter scoop (mommy always forgets the scoop) MOL. Any meds or supplements kitty may need or be taking such as probiotics, Rx meds, food toppers, etc.. Spoon, can opener, paper towels or napkins for messes. A wash cloth and towel (you never know). Kitties favorite treats (not the cheap stuff). A small cardboard or hanging scratcher. Kitty’s vaccination records and rabies tag if kitty doesn’t wear it (copy, the originals should be with your “important papers”). A folder with a list of emergency numbers, V-E-T’s name and number, any conditions kitty may have, any allergies kitty may have, food and litter preferences, your cell number, old and new address, kitty’s name and any nicknames he/she responds to.  

Well, fanks sis Lexi, fur all those Tips. Moving sounds like quite the adventure. There’s no way we could account fur every situation that might pop up durin’ a move, so ifin ya’ have any specific questions or concerns, purrlease let us know in the comments section below or by sendin’ us an email via our Contact page. And ‘member, you can always ketch up or reread any post you may have missed by clicking the links on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page from our menu above. Guess we’ll wrap this up fur now. We’re joinin’ Comedy Plus fur Feline Furidays. And, we’re sendin’ purrayers fur all in the paths of the storms. Stay safe.

Till the next time…………………………………………………..Be Blest!!!

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Deztinee and RaenaBelle

with Angel Alexandra (Lexi)