From: morin@noao.edu (Marg Morin)
Subject: Re: Need advice on moving and cats
Organization: National Optical Astronomy Observatories, Tucson AZ
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 17:53:17 GMT

In article <1992Nov4.181936.11124@zmax.com> mary@flipper.zmax.com (Mary Papp) writes:
>When I move, I was going to bring Slash to my parents for a week while I moved
>and unpacked so that he didn't get out (he is strictly an indoor cat).  Then
>I was going to bring him to my new place.  My questions are:
>
>1. What can I expect when I get him to the new place?  
>2. What can I do to make his transition smoother?  
>3. Is bringing him to my parents a good idea?  It is for his safety and my 
>   peace of mind.
>
>Any advice for me?
>
>Mary (and Slash)

When I moved from Dallas to Tucson last February, I was very concerned
about the trauma it would have on my two 'fraidy cats, Chessie and 
Peeper. They are both mostly indoor cats (they only go outside under
my supervision, since Chessie came home battered once), and they both
really hate riding in the car.

Well, I don't know how far you'll be moving, but for the 900+ miles
we traveled, I got some tranquilizers from the vet. These seemed to 
have the dubious benefit of intoxicating the 'kids', rather than
making them sleep. They might've been happier without the drugs.

Anyway, the first hour of travel was probably one of the worst. Once
I discovered that the babies would not shut up unless I let them out
of their carriers to roam the car, they each found a cozy 'hiding
place' (Chessie under the driver's seat and Peeper in the empty
litter box), I only heard occasional complaints.

Once we arrived (at my sister's) in Tucson, the first packages I
unloaded were the kids. I told my sis (and Mom, who was visiting)
to stay in the livingroom and be quiet, as the kids were quite
upset (as usual). I released them into the bedroom where they
both hid under the bed the rest of the night.

To make a long story somewhat shorter, Chessie started investigating
her new surroundings by the next day. Peeper took about a week to
venture out during daylight ... but I found clues that she crept
around at night ... food eaten, litter box used, etc. She's very
timid, especially around other people.

What I'd recommend is that you take Slash directly to your new place
and let him snoop around, rather than shunting him off to a temporary
home only to shock him again later. Either make him the very first
move or the very last (I'd move him first, personally). You can
close him into the bedroom or bathroom while the front door is open
for loading/unloading, but let him out as soon as the door's closed.
He'll be really curious to see what's up ... let him snoop around
at his leasure, and you try to act as normal as possible to help
relieve his stress.

There really isn't a way to avoid stressing him at some point
regarding a move. I think that it would be more comforting for him
to be around his 'mama' (you) during this time, so he can watch
you and come to you when he's upset. At least he won't feel 
abandoned as he might if you dump him at your parents'.

That's my $.02 ($.04?).

-- 
 MARG MORIN  "Call me M"		(morin@noao.edu)  
	aka: The Seeker   		 AURA/NOAO Tucson, AZ
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