A Blogger's Account of Traveling With Her Cats

This charming post about traveling with cats appears on a blog called Break Free. Samantha and her husband drive 18 hours to their beach cottage with their two kitties. Because it's such a long ride, they bought these roomy, luxury carriers so their cats would be super comfortable.

It's encouraging to see people incorporating their cats into their travel plans, instead of leaving them at home or boarding them.

From the blog post:

Luxury Cat Travel Crates

A  lot of people are always surprised that we take our cats with us to our cottage.  They ask us how do we get them there? and how well do they travel?  So I thought since we’re leaving for the cottage tomorrow night, late, late into the night, maybe even early, early saturday morning, I would explain exactly HOW we take our little sweet and fuzzies with us.  There is no way I could go for 2 months with out my girls, I go through too much withdrawal.

A few years ago we were in the US on 1 of our Target runs, in the same mall there is a Pet Smart so we thought we’d check out what they had there that we didn’t have in Canada.  The trip to the cottage is approximately 18-20 hours so the girls have to be made as comfortable as possible.  We found these soft, collapsible crates that have screens to let air flow through.  My husband couldn’t resist buying the two “Lamby” beds for the bottoms, upping the luxury factor. 

Our two cats travel in very different ways.  Prairie, the younger one digs under all the blankets and the lamby bed until she hits the bottom of the crate. She curls up into a little ball and sleeps for the entire way, not a bad way to travel.  Tabitha, on the other hand, begins by informing us that she will be reporting this abuse to the nearest cat abuse centre, she then begins to swear at us in language, that I have no idea where she learned.  She finishes with pleading to be let out and to have this nightmare end.  Somewhere beyond Montreal and before the New Brunswick border she drops off to sleep, only muttering at us every so often.  

My husband and I swap off driving and get gas, every 2 hours, one of us stays with the cats while the other goes into the travel stop.  I found last year if I opened the back door and let Tabitha see where we were she was less vocal about being trapped in the back of the car. I also begin about a week before we leave by telling them that we’re going to the cottage and when.  I set the crates up on the back deck so then can explore them and get used to this enviroment, yesterday Tabitha had her afternoon bath and nap in the one on the left.

When we finally get to the cottage, they are the 1st to be unloaded.  We take them into the bathroom and set up their litter and let them out while we unload the rest of the car.  Their food and water is the next thing I set up, by then they are both under the bed.   They slip into the cottage routine incredibly quickly.  After I wash the lamby beds and wipe down the insides, their crates are collapsed and put away in the shed to wait for the trip back to the big city. 

For the next 8 weeks they enjoy the ocean breeze, sun and listening to the birds at the cottage.  Not a bad life if you’re a cat.

Dream Big,

Samantha

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

• My Favorite Part
• 5/31/09
• Leaving the cottage to the children… or the taxman?

via surfchiquita.wordpress.com

Recall Alert! United Pet Group's Vitamin Recall Expanded

By Daniela Caride Publisher

United Pet Group is voluntarily expanding its recent recall of its Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement tablets for Dogs to include additional pet nutritional supplement products for dogs and cats due to possible Salmonella contamination. (Check the list of products included in the recall below.)

The affected products are in tablet and powdered form with expiration dates that include and are between 01/2013 and 06/2013. The expiration date can be found imprinted vertically on the right side of the product label.

If you were feeding these supplements to your pets, pelase stop immediately. Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. By simply handling the treats you can become infected, especially if you have not thoroughly washed your hands after having contact with the treats or any surfaces exposed to the products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience…

• nausea

• vomiting

• diarrhea or bloody diarrhea

• abdominal cramping

• fever

Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including…

• arterial infections

• endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart)

• arthritis

• muscle pain

• eye irritation

• urinary tract symptoms

If you have any of these signs after having contact with this product, contact your doctor immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may show…

• lethargy

• diarrhea or bloody diarrhea

• fever

• vomiting

Some pets may only experience a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has had any of the affected products or is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The recalled products are sold nationally at various retailers. They include various United Pet Group Pro-Pet and Excel branded products for dogs and cats, and certain other private label brands of the same products.

Laboratory testing has revealed that some lots of some of these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

If you purchased the affected products, contact United Pet Group or the store. United Pet Group’s phone number is 1-877-399-5226 (Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST).

TABLE OF RECALLED PRODUCTS

Label Sku	UPC	Label Description	Expiry
353	825141273447	Doctors Foster and Smith Brewers Yeast Mega-Tabs with Garlic and Essential Fatty Acids 180 Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
5619	18065056191	5619 Nature’s Miracle Pet Mess Easy Clean-up Net WT 12oz	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
1152092	800443076576	Petco Breath Tabs for Dogs Liver Flavor 50 TabletsPetco Breath Tabs for Dogs Liver Flavor 50 Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
33805	825141059485	Doctors foster and Smith Dis-Taste Small Dog Tablets 250 Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
33806	825141008629	Doctors Foster and Smith Ext Strength Dis-Taste Tablets 180 Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
33807	825141063680	Doctors Foster and Smith Ext Strength Dis-Taste Tablets 500 Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
35908	825141095629	Doctors Foster and Smith Fresh Breath Tablets for Dogs 100 Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
36763	825141291250	Doctors Foster and Smith Cran Health Support Normal Urinary Tract Health 60 Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
673110 bottle 1094181 box	800443037065	Petco Ear Powder For Dogs 1oz (28g) Box Label	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
72157	825141055043	Doctors Foster and Smith Brewers Yeast Tablets for Dogs and Cats 750 Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
9305	825141003921	Doctors Foster and Smith Ear Powder Net WT 1oz (28g)	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
9306	825141005154	Doctors Foster and Smith Ear Powder Net WT 4oz (113g)	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
J707	26851007074	Excel 3 in 1 Ear Powder Ear Care Net WT 1oz(28g)	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
J7110	26851071105	Excel Glucosamine Joint Care 120 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
J7113	26851071136	Excel Glucosamine with MSM Joint Care 120 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
J720	26851007203	Excel Deter Coprophagia Treatment Behavioral Aid 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
J724	26851007241	Excel Deter Coprophagia Treatment Behavioral Aid 500 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
J7311	26851073116	Excel Gas Preventative Digestive Aid Digestive Care 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
J7315	26851073154	Excel Calm-Quil Calming Tablets Behavior Aid 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
J74016	26851074014	DDS Dental Breath Mints Breath Control 40 Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
K1723	26851017233	DDS Dental Breath Tabs Breath Control 200 Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
K1775	26851017752	Pro-Pet Brewers Yeast Daily Supplement 250 Chew Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
K701	26851007012	Excel Calcium Daily Supplement 125 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
K746	26851007463	Excel Calcium Daily Supplement 500 Tasty Chew tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
K776/PR	26851007760	PR Excel Brewers Yeast with Garlic Skin and Coat 150 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
K777/1	26851007777	Excel Brewers Yeast with Garlic Skin and Coat Care 600 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
K778	26851007784	Excel Brewers Yeast with Garlic Skin and Coat Care 1000 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
K785	26851007852	Excel Brewers Yeast with Garlic Skin and Coat Care Mega Tabs 216 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
N1701	26851017011	Pro-Pet Senior Daily Vitamin Supplement 100 Tasty Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
N700TR	26851007005	Excel Pupply Multi Vitamin 100 Tasty Chew Tabs Time Release	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
N7301	26851073017	Excel Small Breed Multi Vitamin 45 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
N7309	26851073093	Excel Lutein Vision Maintenance Eye Care 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
N845TR	26851008453	Excel Adult Multi Vitamin 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-78030	26851780304	Excel Advantage Adult Multi Vitamin 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-78031	26851780311	Excel Advantage Puppy Multi Vitamin 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-78032	26851780328	Excel Advantage Senior Multi Vitamin 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-78033	26851780335	Excel Advantage Skin and Coat Essentials 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-78034	26851780342	Excel Advantage Glucosamine Plus 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-78035	26851780359	Excel Advantage Glucosamine Advanced Strength 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-78065	26851780656	Excel Adult Multivitamin 120 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-78066	26851780663	Excel Senior Multi Vitamin 120 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-82530	26851825302	Pro-Pet Glucosamine Joint Care 60 Chew Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-82531	26851825319	Pro-Pet Stool-Eating Preventative(Corprophagia Treatment) 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-82534	26851825340	Pro-Pet Anti-Stress Calming Tabs 60 Chew Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-82562	26851825623	Pro-Pet Glucosamine Plus Joint Care 100 Chew Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-82618	26851826187	Pro-Pet Breath Tabs 40 Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-82619	26851826194	Pro-Pet Breath Mints 200 Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-82654	26851826545	Pro-Pet Gas Relief Digestive Aid 40 Chew Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-82656	26851826569	Pro-Pet Glucosamine Advanced Joint Powder Net WT 10oz(283g)	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-82658	26851826583	Pro-Pet Daily Vitamin Supplement Powder Net WT 10oz (283g)	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-83062	26851830627	Pro-Pet Puppy and Small Breed Daily Vitamin Supplement 100 Chew Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-83065	26851830658	Pro-Pet Glucosamine Advanced Joint Care 60 Chew Tablets	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-N78012	26851780120	Excel Joint Ensure Moderate Care 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-N78013	26851780137	Excel Joint Ensure Advanced Care 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13
P-N78014	26851780144	Excel Flare-Away Joint Tabs 60 Tasty Chew Tabs	EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

Read entire press release.

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Recall Alert! UPG Vitamin Supplement Recall

PETCO was informed today, July 2, that United Pet Group (UPG) was voluntarily recalling several of its nutritional supplements for dogs and cats due to potential salmonella contamination. The recall affects six SKUs carried by PETCO in the Excel and PETCO brands, in tablet and powdered form, located in the Vitamins & Remedies section.

We have directed all of our store teams to immediately remove all affected product from our shelves and we’ve programmed our registers to prevent the sale of any affected product at checkout. We’ve also removed inventory of the affected products from PETCO.com.

In a news release issued Friday, UPG said laboratory testing revealed that some of the products may be contaminated with Salmonella and they are recalling the products out of an abundance of caution.

While only six of the affected products are carried at PETCO, several other products are included in the recall. The products include various UPG Pro-Pet and Excel branded products for dogs and cats, and certain other private label brands of the same products, including some in the PETCO brand line. All affected products are in tablet and powdered form and have expiration dates that include and are between “01/2013” and “06/2013.” Products with expiration dates outside of this range are not included in the recall.

If you have purchased products affected by this recall you should immediately stop feeding the supplements to your pets. If you purchased the product from PETCO, you can return it to us for a full refund.

For more details on the recall and information on potential health implications, read the full news release from UPG.

via petcoscoop.com

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Martha Stewart Living Website Shares Some Good advice on Traveling with Pets

There are some good tips in this post. I particularly the idea of carrying a photo of your pet with you when you travel, in case you become separated. That's a really good idea that I will follow in the future. I would carry a couple of prints as well as a few shots on your camera phone. From the article:

By Kristina Grish

Pet travel requires a bit of planning, but for some pet owners, a vacation feels incomplete without a four-legged friend. Preparing for a pet's trip means more than packing her toothbrush, however. Here's how to guarantee great memories.

Before You Go
Ask yourself if your pet is up to the journey. "Most cats are happier at home with a sitter," says Louise Murray, director of medicine at Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, in New York City. For any pet, the next-best thing to staying home is feeling safe. Greg Kleva, trainer and host of "It's a Dog's Life," on Martha Stewart Living Radio, recommends familiarizing your pet with her carrier, since most transportation requires one. Leave it out and open for a few weeks before you depart.

Just before travel, cut your pet's nails, so they won't catch in the carrier. Make sure she wears her regular identification tag, plus a travel one with contacts at your destination. Since dangling tags can catch in the carrier grate, secure them to your pet's collar with tape. Label the carrier, too.

For pet-friendly accommodations and attractions, consult "Traveling With Your Pet: the AAA PetBook." Kleva also likes the websites.

Fly High
If you're flying with a small pet, choose an airline that will let her ride in the cabin, under the seat. If your pet is too large, consider driving or leaving her at home. "Cargo is unsafe and uncomfortable, plus frightening for the pet," Murray says. Think of it as a last resort.

Even for in-cabin travel, it's best to exercise your dog for at least 15 minutes before boarding to quell her anxiety (avoid sedatives, which can slow breathing, especially for dogs prone to respiratory issues). Since she'll be confined awhile without breaks, don't feed her for four to six hours before departure. (Do freeze water in the tray inside the crate, so she'll stay hydrated.)

If you need to fly but don't want to risk cargo, Pet Airways flies animals in their main cabin. Or you can hire a transport service such as TJR Pet Express to drive your pet to your vacation spot.

For the rest of the article, click on the link.
From Martha Stewart Living, July 2010

via marthastewart.com

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Recall Alert! Feline’s Pride Natural Chicken Formula Cat Food - Due to Salmonella

Contact:
Shelby Gomas,
Tel: 1-716-580-3096

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 1, 2010 - Buffalo, NY – Feline’s Pride is announcing a voluntary recall of Feline’s Pride Raw food with ground bone for cats and kittens, Natural Chicken Formula, Net Wt. 2.5 lbs. (1.13 kg., 40 oz.) produced on 6/10/10, because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. People handling raw pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the raw pet food or any surfaces exposed to the product.

When consumed by humans, Salmonella can cause an infection, salmonellosis. The symptoms of salmonellosis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, minimal diarrhea, fever, and headache. Certain vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, are particularly susceptible to acquiring salmonellosis from such pet food products and may experience more severe symptoms.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The product is packaged in uncoded plastic containers and sold frozen to private consumers nationwide. Once thawed, the pet food has a shelf life of about 1 week. The firm manufactures the pet food by an as-ordered basis. This recall affects only those orders placed and shipped from June 10 through June 17, 2010.

The firm and FDA are investigating this matter to determine the source of this problem, and will take any additional steps necessary to protect the public health.

To date, both the firm and the FDA have received no reports of Salmonella infection relating to this product.

This product should not be fed to pets but should instead be disposed of in a safe manner (e.g., in a securely covered trash receptacle). People who are experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection after having handled the pet food product should seek medical attention, and report their use of the product and illness to the nearest FDA office.

People should thoroughly wash their hands after handling the pet food – especially those made from raw animal protein such as meat or fish -- to help prevent infection. People may risk bacterial infection not only by handling pet foods, but by contact with pets or surfaces exposed to these foods, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap.

Since certain vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, are particularly at risk from exposure they should avoid handling this product.

Consumers with questions should contact the company at (716) 580-3096, Monday –Friday from 10 am - 4 pm EDT.

Here is the link to the FDA's website: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm217826.htm

via poochieheaven.blogspot.com

If you have this food, please dispose of it safely in covered trash containers. Thanks!

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UPS Gives Airline Baggage Fees a Run for Their Money

UPS is now competing with greedy airlines for a cut of their baggage fee revenues. I don't know if this will be more economical than checked baggage, but, let's face it, UPS probably can't do a worse job of destroying, losing, or stealing your luggage than the airlines. And anything that sticks it to those baggage fees is okay with me. It's a great idea particularly for business travelers who have to schlep presentations and documents with them. I like the idea of just sticking my luggage in a box and having it delivered to me at the other end.

This is also great for people who are traveling with their pets. Why not ship your luggage so you don't have to lug it around with your pet carrier. You can focus on what's really important - your pet's welfare and comfort - while UPS worries about the other details.

From the article:

UPS' New Luggage Box Wants to Stick It to Airline Baggage Fees

June 30, 2010 at 9:19 AM | by JetSetCD | 1 Comment

Obviously this isn't it. It will be much larger than this.

Almost $800 million dollars. That's how much the airlines got from baggage fees during just the first quarter of this year. It's a huge number, sure, but if you think that most passengers nowadays must pay $25 per bag each way, then that adds up quite quickly. With dollar signs like these in the eyes of the airlines, don't expect baggage fees to be going anywhere but up anytime soon.

At least now there's another option to simply given in and paying the fee: Buy UPS' new Luggage Box. Instead of doing all of the schlepping and all of the paying, UPS will do the schlepping, but yes you've still got to pay. UPS says that rates are competitive with what the airlines charge for checked baggage, so we'd estimate that shipping your luggage box may cost $30, but there is the option to pay extra for return shipping in the same box, for your trip home. No need to visit a UPS store again for that.

via jaunted.com

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Pit Bull Escape Causes Continental to Change its Policy. But is it the right policy?

This story confuses me. A pit bull on a Continental flight escapes from its crate at La Guardia, leads authorities on a chase, and eludes them temporarily by jumping into the bay. The upshot is that Continental decides to change its policy to restrict certain dog breeds from flying the airline after a certain age. But is the dog's breed really the problem here? I can recall an incident a few years ago when a show dog escaped its carrier at a New York airport. What's the central problem here? That the dog was dangerous, or that the dog was somehow allowed to escape? I'm not a fan of pit bulls particularly, but, in this case, it seems to me that a dog breed is being scapegoated because of a human error.

Thought: If certain breeds are so inherently dangerous that they can't be trusted to travel on airlines safely (even ones that follow proper precautions to prevent escapes), then why are then safe enough to be pets in the first place.

Something doesn't make sense here. Maybe someone else can explain it to me.

Not the dog in question
(image courtesy of Dnheinsdorf)

From the article:

A recent incident at Laguardia Airport has caused Continental to re-evaluate its pet policy for transporting certain breeds in cargo through its Safe Pets Plan. On June 23, a pit bull escaped from its cargo crate and caused minor disruption on the runway before jumping into Flushing Bay and eluding New York and New Jersey Port Authority officials for 40 minutes before capture.

As a result of this incident, Continental’s Pet Safe Program will be amended in several ways. They will no longer allow the following breeds in cargo after 6 months of age or 20 pounds (whichever comes first):

Pit Bull Terriers
American Staffordshire Terriers
Presa Canario
Perro de Presa Canario
Dogo Argentino
Cane Corso
Fila Brasileiro
Tosa
Tosa Ken

via pettravel.com

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