Conference misery::feline_v1

    You can buy carriers for relatively little money from a cat show.
    They are much less expensive there than they are in pet stores.
    
    Start taking the nightmare kitty on short trips with you in the
    car, NOT to the vet, and give her lots of praise and maybe even
    a treat.  I have also found that the rythym of the car engine puts
    most of my cats to sleep the minute we get on the freeway.  City
    driving doesn't put them to sleep.
    
    If you think you will want to tranquilize her, then practice with
    the dosage at home before the actual event.  You will need to know
    exactly how much to give her.  Also, keep in mind that when she
    is stressed, it might not take as much to knock her out.  You don't
    want to give her too much.  I have found that it is better to leave
    them awake than to knock them out.
    
    Where on the west coast are you moving too?  I am in Santa Clara.
    
    Jo

    You might want to try typing SHOW KEY/FULL TRAVELLING at the NOTES>
    prompt.
    
    Deb

    Re: .1
    
    Hi Jo, We are moving down L.A. way to an apartment in Sherman Oaks.  My
    wife is going to be working in the LAO office in Culver City.  I am
    still looking and would like to stay in DEC but I only have about a
    month to find something.  
    
    Well I hope they do Zonk out cause I really don't want to drug them. 
    Another concern I have is how they will react to an apartment vs a
    house.  I will not let them out unless they are on a leash (were
    training them now. Don't laugh, one of my cats will do tricks!).
    We live in a very quiet area here in MA with no traffic at all, so
    neither cat is street smart.  I hope they don't go into depression or
    spaz-out and drive my wife and I insane.
    
    Dave
    

    They should do fine in an apartment.  I successfully converted three
    of my cats from outdoors to indoors when I decided to become a breeder.
    It takes them awhile to get used to the idea though, but you become
    really good at distracting them from the doors and windows.  
    
    I have a really good method of curing them of the "run out between
    your legs when you come in" trick.  Let me know if you need it.
    
    I always keep a litter box in the car when we travel, and then when
    we get to a rest stop, I let the cats out to use it.  They appreciate
    it.  Then it is back in the carrier for the duration.  I always
    put a catnip mouse, or some other toy in there in case they don't
    feel like sleeping.  But, they almost always just sleep the whole
    way.  Be prepared to have to wear them out before going to sleep
    at night, they have been sleeping all day, and will need lots of
    heavy play before settling down for the night.
    
    Jo

    You might want to put a cat bed inside the carrier. For one thing, it
    will give them something to sink their little claws into, and *I* think
    that it is probably more comfortable for the cat then being directly on
    the carrier.

    Deb

    When Jo says she lets them out at a rest stop, I think she means
    "inside the car."  We don't want any babies taking off into the woods....
    

    Re .5,
    
    We've never taken our two very far (vets=15 mins, cattery=10 mins,
    cat shows =15mins-45 mins), but we've found they have travelled
    a LOT better since we took to putting a nice soft cushion in the
    bottom of their carrier. So I agree, defintiely think about providing
    a bed in the carrier for the journey.
    
    Shayne (New Zealand)

    I'll third the catbed suggestion.  Dundee "patty-paws" his way to
    all the shows.
    
    If you are near Marlboro, come to the show on Saturday.  You can
    say good-bye to us east coast Feliners and purchase some good
    kennel Kabs at the show.
      Nancy DC
    

    Re: .8
    
    Hi Nancy,  Where is the show and what time does it start and run till?
    I've never been to a cat show!!!  Is there an admission charge?  I'm
    familiar with downtown Marlboro, could you give me simple directions
    from there?  If too complicated just give me the address, I'll find it.
    
    Dave 

    Dave, see note #1093.12 (I think) for directions to the Marlboro
    show.  It is at the Assabet Valley Regional High School in Marlboro;
    spectator hours are from 9 to 6.
    

    I think its 1093.27 for directions and hours are 9 to 5.
    Best to show up before noon as it gets crowded then.
      Nancy DC
    
    p.s. Make sure you ask for a feliner badge when you find Dundee
    and I.  I'll bring some extras to the show.  Then you'll be able
    to spot other Feliners.
    

    Dave -
    
    If you belong to AAA, stop by an office (there's one in Framingham
    at Temple Street).  They should be able to direct you to hotels that
    allow pets for overnight visits.  It might be nicer for your cats if
    they can stretch out a bit each night rather than stay cooped up in
    a truck.
    
    Mary
    

    
    I am mystified - what is the trick for stopping the cat running
    out between your legs when you go through a door and ...
    
    what is a feliner badge?
    
    
    Lisa ( Reading UK )
    

    re: 13
    
    It's called the leg in first trick.  When you start in a door,
    stick you foot, and then leg in and shake it at the cat that
    is ready to bolt - then bring the rest of you in after your
    leg.  Boy, does that sound really dumb, but it works!!

    
    re: .11  to nancy dc...
    
    i read in a previous note that you designed and made the dec feliner
    badge.  since i am in atlanta, unfortunately i cannot attend this
    weekend'z show in marlboro (although i will be there in furry spirit!). 
    is there some other way i can obtain the coveted badge?
    
    my dtn is 343-1022, my mailstop is ALF-3M19.  many thanx!
    
    diane, stella (still the h*llcat) & stanley (good ol' boy)
    
    
    p.s. re .13 & .14...i also have been known to open the door a crack,
    then set my purse down in the path of an oncoming feline (this also
    workz with grocery bagz...)
    

    	re .14 - or you could do like me and keep a C.A.T. at the door
    	 	 to spray through the screen before opening it...Tho
    		 they sit up on the dryer now instead of the floor,
    		 so it's getting harder to `adjust' them...
    

    
    Re: kitty escaping out the door...
    
    My furface is limited to the 2nd floor of our house (door on the
    entrance to the stairwell). Diamond ALWAYS tries to escape (she
    wouldn't get outside, one more door to pass thru). I most always
    have the squirtgun at the ready, a facefull of water deters the
    most determined critter, when she runs away from the squirting,
    I run out the door and close it quickly. Sometimes just pointing
    the squirtgun at her gets the desired effect.
    
    Fred and Diamond_the_lunatic_kitty

    Boy,  I must be much more determined than the rest of you...
    
    I stand outside with the garden hose, with the door open, and say
    "go ahead, make my day!!".
    
    Jo

    
    	Jo - tee-hee!! think I'll try that next!!! then no matter
    	     where they're hiding/waiting, I'll be sure the get 'em!!
    
    
    	Sherry
    

    re -.18
    
    jo, nancy won't let me play with the C.A.T. anymore, but she
    didn't say anything about not using the hose IN the house. :-)
    
    jack
    who's_feline_frisky_today

    RE: -1  CONSIDER IT SAID, MR CUNNIFF.
    
    Feline Frisky are we??  Maybe I shouldn't let you run off to
    Amherst this weekend with all those juggling co-eds!!!  ;^)
    
    re: .15 - Diane,
      Your feliner badge is on its way.

    Re: .13  Lisa - send me your mailstop and I'll send you a badge.
      Nancy DC

    Any Holiday Inn will accept cats overnight.  
    
    cin
    

    Call 1-800-holiday....If your going to be staying over a weekend
    (saturday night) ask for the "Great Rate" rooms.  Usually $39.00
    
    cin
    

    I saw an ad in Cat Fancy for a list of all the places that will
    allow pets.  It's definitely in the Dec. issue and probably in
    earlier ones as well.
    

    ms. nancy dc,
    
    thanx ever so for sending badge.  i feel like a *real* feliner now...
    
    diane, stella, stanley
    

    Without opening another topic, and/or hunting around this immense
    feline directory ;), I thought I'd ask the people who ship their
    cats via airplanes for some advice:
    
    My three cats will be rejoining me out here in New England around
    the first of March barring weather problems at both exit and arrival
    points.  I plan on buying two more KennelCabs for them, and all
    the airline has asked me to do is to put water in the cage for them.
    Since the cabs I will be buying are not the kind that have water
    dishes that hook on the inside of the wire door, I was wondering
    what might be the best way to make sure they have water (actually,
    I half-aniticpate either the cats stepping in or knocking over the
    water, or just all the loading/unloading to jostle the water out
    of the dish.
    
    Anyway, the cats will be IN their cages from approximately 5:30am
    to near 8pm.  It's going to obviously be a long day for them, and
    no one will be on the flight they are taking.  I'm not as concerned
    about the trip being traumatic, I just want to make it comfortable
    for them (it's better than a week by car, I'm sure).  What sort
    of preparations would you suggest?  Should I supply a litter box,
    or will they be likely to use it?  The cages are not all that BIG,
    big enough for a cat, larger than the ones they put under airline
    seats, but still not terribly roomy.  Should the cats be fed the
    night before?  
    
    Thanks in advance for suggestions,
    
    ---kim

    Kim!  Where are you??  I recognize that username... how's my little
    Freeway??
    
    Jo

    When I first looked, this note just said "being written".  Anyway,
    I would *not* put water in their cages, because, like you said,
    they are likely to spill it, and then will spend the next 12 hours
    laying on wet bedding.  If the carriers are the medium size Kennel
    Cabs, you can fit a shoe box full of litter in the back.  Be sure
    the tape it down. 
    
    I would not feed them the night before.  Do bring a real litter
    box and a large bowl of water with you to pick them up.  They will
    be thirsty, airplane air is very dry.
    
    Glad to hear from you again.  Can't wait to find out how they make
    it.
    
    Jo

    Might help to line the bottom of their crates with Pampers or
    disposable diapers.  No water - and maybe don't let them drink
    from when you get up in the morning (don't feed them after 6 or 8
    pm the evening before so they won't need to use the litter pan)
    until you pick them up.  They will be ok, thirsty and hungry,
    but then you won't need a litter pan either.  A few disposable
    diapers will make the bottom of their crates soft and comfy
    and absorbant if there is an accident.
    
    Good luck,
    
    E.T.

    Umm...the airline said I *had* to have water in their cages.  Since
    they kinda have control of taking the cats or not, what's a good
    way to put water in their cages and minimize spilling?
    
    
    Hi Jo Ann. :)  (and others!)  I am in Westfield, MA now.  Moving
    to CT tonite, but working in the same place.  :>
    
    ---kim

    Kim,
    
    You can put a sponge cut to fit in the water dish with a little water. 
    It should be enough to satisfy the airline....
    
    BTW, even though the airlines say they require a water dish, I've never
    had one refused because there wasn't a water dish in the carrier.  The
    sponge idea was one I came up with the last time I flew a cat cargo. 
    They told me on the phone that they MUST have a dish of water.  I
    didn't really want to use one for the reasons mentioned in the previous
    notes, so I brought it with me in my pocketbook, with the already cut
    sponge.  If they gave me a hard time, I was going to whip out the dish
    and sponge and add it to the carrier.
    
    
    

    Also, if you can't find a shoe box for a litter box in the carrier, you
    can buy those disposable ones at the grocery store.  Cut them in half
    and then push the two halves together.  It forms a box only half the
    size that fits perfectly into the back of a Kennel Cab.  I staple the
    box once I put the two halves together.
    
    cin
    

    Thanks for the tips--I shall explain it to my Mom, who is actually
    the one shipping the animals out here.
    
    ---kim

	 What about  strapping  a  waterbottle to the cage (like one for
     guinea  pigs  or hampsters)? They're less likely to spill and might
     make  the airline happy.  I'd be sure to get the ones with the ball
     bearing and a metal spout, though.



kathy