Shipping Cat to Another State Across the USA

Shipping a Cat to Another State? Here’s What You Should Know

Are you sending your cat on a trip? Then be prepared for any surprises! During the trip, even the quietest and most modest animal can reveal an unexpected side and become truly unmanageable, so your task is to provide your pet with complete comfort (both physical and psychological). And for this, you will have to work hard.

Rule #1: Limit Freedom of Movement – Cross Country Cat Transport: Tips for a Smooth and Stress-Free Move

First of all, remember: the rules for cat transportation primarily require the mandatory presence of a container for the animal. Unfortunately, carrying cats in your arms is undesirable and even dangerous: in case of alarm or stress, the cat can break free and run away, so you should not take the cat simply in the car cabin or in the train compartment.

The cat carrier should be:

• sufficiently reliable and sturdy so that it does not fall apart on the road,
• lightweight for carrying,
• well ventilated,
• easy to clean.

A cat carrying bag can also be used – it is softer than a container, but often not very well ventilated and is made of impermeable synthetic fabric, so the animal can be very stuffy in it in summer and cold in winter. A special cage for transporting cats can also be suitable (it is ventilated best and is very easy to clean), but it can be quite rigid for the pet, and it will feel uncomfortable in it.

Given this, try to choose something more convenient and comfortable for your pet. And when you have already chosen a bag, cage or container for transporting cats, be sure to prepare your pet for traveling in this container. A few hours before the trip, offer the animal to “go to the toilet” (put it in a litter box with clean filler), and then place the cat in the container itself. Let it stay there for a while and get used to its new home. At the same time, always speak to the animal kindly and reassure it.

Rule #2: Create Amenities – Moving With a Cat? How to Safely Transport Cats Across the Country

If your trip is short, do not overload the container – put only the usual bedding for the cat, and it will not need anything else. You can also put some favorite item or toy of your pet for good measure.

If you are going on a long trip, the rules for transporting cats are stricter:

• the cat will need to be released to the toilet regularly, but this must be done, making completely sure that all windows and doors are tightly closed; the animal should be put back in the container only after it has explored everything around, stretched, and received a portion of affection from you;
• you need to prepare more drinks, especially if the day is hot – if you are traveling very far, it is better to buy a container with an internal feeder and drinker;
• use dry food, even if you avoided it before – it attracts fewer flies.

And, of course, talk to your pet more often on the road: if it constantly hears your voice, it will be sure that you are nearby and have not left it.

You need to find out about the rules for importing animals into a particular country in advance at the embassy, veterinary service or simply on the Internet. At the same time, regardless of where you are going, you will need to collect documents for transporting cats, among which should be:

• a veterinary passport with records of all necessary vaccinations, as well as treatment against various parasites;
• a veterinary certificate.

Rule #3: Get Vaccinated – Shipping Cats Cross Country – Costs, Carriers, and What to Expect

The animal must be vaccinated at least 30 days and no more than 11 months before departure. Given this, you may experience difficulties with transporting small kittens – some necessary vaccinations cannot be given to them before 1 year of age. A rabies vaccination must be given, as well as vaccinations against various infections, plague, and sometimes infectious hepatitis.

Also, transporting cats by car will require a special ticket. In addition, recently the rules for transporting cats by any means of transport require animals to be chipped, and this must be taken into account.

Rule #4: Transporting Cats by Car Requires Preparation – Worried About Shipping Your Cat Cross Country? Here’s How It Works

The most common is the transportation of cats by car – this type of transport is used for trips to the dacha or on vacation. However, the rules for transporting cats by car are very similar. For the trip, you will need:

• a leash and collar – with their help you can take the animal for a walk at stops, and also keep it close to you and not create problems for others (a frightened cat can attack them),
• a removable and light lining for the cat container – transporting cats by train can be long, and the animal will not always want to wait for a stop to go to the toilet, so it is better to create conveniences for it right in the container, and then quickly change the soiled lining.

And one more nuance: according to the railway rules, for transporting a cat on the territory of Ukraine, you need to pay as for transporting 20 kg of luggage (regardless of its weight), but at the same time cats are considered “hand luggage”, so they are allowed to be transported in the compartment.

Rule #5: Transporting Cats by Car Requires a Special Approach – Best Ways to Transport Cats Across the Country Without the Stress

Usually, the rules for transporting cats by car depend on the company you intend to travel with, but remember: interstate flights always have stricter requirements than domestic ones! The standard rules are: a passenger as a “cat” is allowed to carry only one animal and only weighing up to 8 kg; if the animal weighs more, it will be sent to the cargo compartment (it is heated).

In addition, in some companies, transporting cats by car is possible only when they are handed over to special compartments, but you can visit them there. And in any case, you will have to pay for your pet as for extra luggage.