A Safe Transport For Kitty
Transporting a kitty whether it’s to a veterinarian appointment, adoption show, a low cost clinic, or as a volunteer getting kitties to their furever home, safety should always be the primary concern. A safe transport is a well thought out transport and a less stressful one. Being safe isn’t just about the actual trip, but with everything from the temperament of the kitty to the crate or carrier that he/she will be traveling in. Accidents do happen, but if every aspect is examined closely and a plan is devised, the possibility of an accident drastically diminishes. I’ve been safely and successfully transporting kitties for 20 years now and would like to share the wisdom that I have gathered along the way. Sometimes I have learned by trial and error, but mostly I learned by watching the behavior of the kitties and thinking each step through again and again.
The number one thing to remember when transporting is never remove the cat from the carrier or crate unless you are inside of the vehicle and the doors are closed and locked and all windows are up. The only reason to remove the cat should be if they have had an accident or have gotten sick. I would go so far as to say if your vehicle has the ability to lock the windows so that only the drivers side can operate them, then do so. Also make sure that your car remote is located where you cannot accidentally hit a button to open the hatch or doors. Removing the cat from the carrier or crate puts the cat in jeopardy and no one wants to lose a kitty in transport. Even if the kitty is one that you know well, you cannot be positive of how they would react. Transporting is very stressful on the kitty and a stressed kitty equals an unpredictable kitty. Even if you believe that the kitty travels well and is a calm traveler sudden noises can easily spook your kitty. How would your kitty react to a car horn, a car alarm going off, a vehicle backfiring, all of these are a possibility.
The carrier that you decide to transport in is the main factor to getting the cat from point A to point B without any complications. Do you know what the weight load is for the carrier that you use? There is no set standard to the weight limit for carriers and it varies depending on the manufacturer and the style of carrier. Most 19″ carriers are only rated for 10 lbs, while 24″ carriers are rated for 20 lbs. Remember when choosing the carrier to allow for an extra pound or two so that if the kitty becomes stressed or combative it doesn’t stress the carrier beyond its limits. Write on the bottom of the carrier in permanent marker what the weight limit is when you purchase it so that you always have that information handy. If you are using a top load carrier, it is even more important to understand the weight limits because of the stress that it puts on the handle and latching system. If using a carrier that has a shoulder strap and handle, I would recommend using both when carrying the carrier.
The way that the top and bottom pieces connect need to be examined closely. If the carrier uses hinged latches they can easily pop open and cause the carrier to fall apart. It is recommended that you use zip ties to secure the pieces together so that this cannot happen. My preference are carriers that use a nut and bolt to connect the two pieces together. Anytime that a carrier has small holes that will allow it to be zip tied together, do it. Zip ties are very inexpensive and a few cents are definitely worth protecting a life.
Soft sided carriers should not be considered a safe solution for transporting a cat. The seams of soft sided carriers can fray and weaken. A stressed kitty can shred the mesh that is often used or chew their way through. Zippers can also easily be opened by an inquisitive kitty. If you insist on using a soft sided carrier make sure that you either zip tie the zipper pulls or use some kind of clip to keep them from separating. Soft sided carriers should never be used for those kitties that you do not know.
For long transports crates are the preferred method of transportation, but there are a few steps that should be taken to make it as secure as possible. The slide latches for the doors can come open during the transport either from car vibration or from a cat with a curious paw. Doing adoption shows I found out that all it takes is for you to hit a pot hole or any other sudden jostling movement for the latches to open. A simple and in expensive solution is a hitch safety pin that can be found in most hardware stores. The hitch safety pin also comes in a rectangular version that is also effective. In order to open the safety pin you have to hold the bolt and pull the wire free. This is an example of a crate with a hitch safety pin firmly keeping the door closed. When moving the crate make sure that you have a firm grasp on it and if at all possible hold it from the bottom. For larger crates have someone help you carry the crate.
If you are transporting a feral or stray cat in a trap it is important to use either a carabiner clip or a hitch safety pin to ensure that the door for the trap does not open. It is also best to keep the trap covered to minimize the stress on the kitty. Be careful where you place your hands so that if the cat lashes out it doesn’t catch you with a claw which could cause you to drop the trap. If you carry the trap by the handle use your other hand to help balance the trap in case the cat starts moving around.
The comfort and stress of the cat should also be taken in to consideration when transporting. Give the cat a nice soft bed or towel to lay on. Some cats may hide under the bed or towel, but if they feel safe that’s all that is important. Place a favorite toy or two in the carrier or crate. Do not feed the cat while on the road. If it’s a long transport only give the kitty a small handful of food. Cats can and do get car sick, so the less food in the belly the better. Don’t give the cat a lot of water so that they don’t have to urinate while in transport. If you are using a crate and it has the room, provide the kitty with a small litter pan. Be prepared for the kitty to have an accident and keep the appropriate supplies with you. A few drops of Rescue Remedy by Bach Remedies can go a long way in keeping a cat calm. Rescue Remedy can be put in a cat’s water bowl prior to transport, on/under the tongue, or on the back of the neck. Comfort Zone Spray with Feliway for Cats can also be used. With the Comfort Zone Spray you cannot spray it on the cat but could spray it on a towel outside of the crate or carrier. Do not play loud music while transporting, but consider playing a CD featuring music specifically designed for calming cats. Be mindful of the amount and temperature of the air blowing on the cat. Stress weakens the immune system therefore you don’t want the cat to become uncomfortably cold or warm. Put yourself in the kitties paws and figure out what would make you the most comfortable and secure while being transported.
Transporting can be a stressful event, but with careful planning it can be a stress free experience. Remember that cats feed off of our emotions, so if you are stressed they will become stressed. If you are transporting a kitty as a volunteer getting them to their furever home, take these simple steps so that it can be an enjoyable experience. The last thing that anyone wants to happen is to lose a kitty, so plan ahead!
Here are some products to help make your transport a successful one.