[redwitch]

Another non-fan of shipping animals. The stress to the pet and the risk is too high to make it worthwhile.

I traveled from California to Florida with 3 cats. One cat was absolutely car-phobic. She would poop the second she was put in the carrier and by the time I would get her to the vet (5 minutes away, max), there would be nothing left in her innards (but the car smelled wonderful!!!). One cat did not like cars but could tolerate. The third one didn't care as long as she was in a lap being petted or could look out the window.

I got tranqs and give them each a mild dose for the first leg of the trip. For the rest of ride, no tranqs for any of them and no problems. We would take them out at night and let them roam the hotel room. They rode quite contently during the day -- even drank, ate and used the litter box (one cat was a piggy ... no way would she go all day without her food).

It does seem daunting to drive with felines but giving them a very mild tranquilizer until they are used to the motion seems to do the trick and they really don't mind once they feel safe in their "moving house."