Hi all, not sure what forum this is best-placed in (didn't really seem to fit anywhere, to be honest..) but I have a question regarding moving a pet.
What is the best way to move a cat from Brisbane to Melbourne? - by 'best' I mean both the cheapest AND a way that minimizes the stress on the animal.
Thanks
Put it in your car and drive down? You can do it on a friday and be in Melbourne fresh on Sunday without too much trouble. Or if you have two people you can do the drive in 1 hit, about 16 hrs from memory.
The 'best' method can depend on how well the cat normally handles travel. Going as cargo on a flight would be very stressful because it becomes 'baggage' (albeit special baggage), without you there for reassurance. However, if like my cat where a ride in the car seems a horrifying hurtle into the unknown with certain death around every turn, a 16 hour car ride would just prolong his misery. If you won't be going with it, you can look into services like 'Dogtainers' which specialise in unaccompanied pet transport.
Regardless of which method you choose, if your cat doesn't normally tolerate travel well you can ask your vet about making the trip easier for moggy with light sedation. Not unconsciousness but just a little sleepy and relaxed. Your vet will be able to tell you if this is appropriate for your particular cat.
Above all, make sure that moggy is microchipped and all contact information associated with that is current. If your car wears a collar also make sure current contact details are attached to it. Just in case.
Place an ad on AirTasker for someone to chauffeur kitty down for you
If you decide to fly kitty to its destination, try to avoid Airbus A320 planes (that means Jetstar and Tiger). The experience is terrifying enough without also encountering the 'barking dog' in the cargo hold :-)
Only Virgin and Qantas allow pet transfer. If you fly Qantas you can declare your cat as a baggage allowance. U will need to check Virgin if they do offer baggage swap.
Use airlines only if your on the same flight as your cat. If not check dogtrainers.
There's no "cheapest and bestest" way.
Check with your vet, they should be able to assist with a mild sedative for the journey.
Find some Valerian powder, mix with water and spray a little inside the carrier.
It's a calmative.
With these measures, driving to the airport and a few hours by plane should be less stressful.
look on gumtree for rideshare ads and ask them to take it for some petrol $
The cat will be fine whatever you do, I brought my 10 year old cat from the UK which involved 4 days in a cattery, a 20hr flight then a month in quarantine. She is now 16 and still going strong.
If I recall it cost more than my own flight and you need an IATA approved carrier not any old carrier (mine is a wooden crate with a water bowl attached to the inside).
So thats where the crew go on the planes…down to check on the pussies etc…
Without stating the bleeding obvious, it all depends on the individual cat.
My family's cat is a very nervous traveler. She disgraces herself in the car when she goes to the vet, which is no more than 6 minutes drive from here. When we moved it was very stressful for her on the day, though she did actually settle in quite well.
If your kitty is already a good traveler, do what you think is best. Good luck.
Put some catnip in Melbourne?
What about taking tabby in a pet carrier on a flight?