OK. Am I crazy? Thinking of rescuing cats...

[Mackhopp]

I think I might be crazy, but I'm really wanting to rescue a couple cats. I've got 2 rescue dogs (lab mix and Aussie) - originally I had planned to bring them camping but it hasn't really worked out. The lab mix is way too excitable and it's difficult and stressful for everyone when she goes into a tail-wagging frenzy trying to say hi to everyone who walks by, knocking down our canopy in the process, you get the picture. Then the Aussie loves our family but is stranger aggressive.

So we put the dogs in the kennel in the country (we call it going to doggy camp) when we go camping. Everyone's happy.

But I miss having some cats around. I used to have 3 cats, but it's been 3 years since I had a cat around.

Which got me to thinking..... (it's dangerous when I start thinking. that's why we have an Airstream in the first place, and 2 dogs, and so on....) I'd like to adopt a couple rescue cats.

I want a pair that have to be adopted as a unit - I had 2 boy cat buddies in the past and it's the sweetest thing.

I've found 2 boys, siblings, that I'm falling in love with (and I haven't even met them at their foster home yet!). They were found as abandoned kittens with their mom, and were adopted out last year but had to come back to rescue because unfortunately their adoptive mother is now terminally ill and in palliative care. She'd love to see them placed in a good home. And I'm a sucker for a sob story.

I'm hoping I can integrate them into the house with patience and as much calmness as can be achieved. But I'm also hoping I can take them camping with me.

Anyone have decent experience taking cats along on camping trips? My husband thinks I'm crazy but I'm sure that it can be done relatively easily.

Here they are (aren't they cute?)

[ASwifey]

Awww, they are cute! So snuggly. Looks like they are twins!

I couldn't bring my cats. One won't use the litter box, he likes to go outside to do his business. And the two don't get along which would be quite stressful.

But I would love to have a camping cat in the future. I think you'd just have to train them when they are younger to travel.

[kennethowens]

If you like cats...then cats it is!
Go for it...if it works out - good!
If not...you'll not be the first to have
an idea that did not work out. :-)

[kposey]

There are lots of folks that travel with cats. I'm sure they will chime in here. I say go for it. It sounds like they need you too!

[Stefrobrts]

If you don't take them camping, at least it's easy to leave cats alone at home for a short trip, or have a neighbor look in once a day or so.

[n2916s]

I'll be the devil's advocate here.

Married to a veterinarian...

Adopt kittens and it is a 15-20 year commitment. Vet bills, food, care and feeding. Crossing a border? May need recent health certificates ($$$). Cat gets sick in the boonies? Scramble for an open emergency clinic (generally, by the time a cat acts sick, it is very sick...). Cats can also be very food persnickety, finding that "special" food he/she will only eat might be a challenge as you travel.

That said, we have one and she loves to travel in the AS. New views, smells, sounds every few days...

Tough decision.

As the noted philosopher J. Buffett wrote: "a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling"

mike

Four critters in the rig, stand by for "four legged Olympics", often at the oddest times.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by Macfrodge

.................................................. ...

Anyone have decent experience taking cats along on camping trips? My husband thinks I'm crazy but I'm sure that it can be done relatively easily.

Here they are (aren't they cute?)

In 1994, we were traveling west on US-50, in Middle of Nowhere, Nevada. We stopped at a bulldozed wide spot next to the highway to use the trailer's facilities. My wife heard a meow, and I said, " here kitty, kitty". A kitten about 8 weeks old, came out from under a Sagebrush bush. There was not a building in sight for as far as one could see. We took her with us and stopped to get the necessary cat items in the next town. We named her Meesha, a combination of the two sounds she makes most often. She finished the trip to the Oregon coast and back with us. She traveled with us everywhere we went in the trailer until two years ago. She has become old enough that she now stays home with our 3 other older cats. A little over 5 years ago we adopted Daisy, and she traveled with Meesha for several trips. Two cats worked out much better. They depend on each other for company and support. When Meesha got too old to really enjoy traveling much, we adopted Tiger (my avatar). Daisy took to him immediately and still lets him curl up next to her and treats him like a kitten. I would be lost if we didn't have our buddies with us. Cats are really not that much trouble. They ride in the truck with us, and mostly curl up in the back seats out of the way. They get used to the routine quickly, and with two of them they amuse each other while we are away from the trailer. Daisy looks forward to the trips, because she becomes top cat. At home she is about number five out of six in the pecking order. When we start packing the trailer for a trip, she hangs around it all day to make sure she goes. So I definitely recommend against traveling without cats.

Regards,
Ken

[mstblove]

You can't go wrong with cats!

[2vets]

Okay-this is my kind of thread. I am a small animal veterinarian and my husband is a cow veterinarian. I always advise to never adopt two dogs at once but if you are considering two cats -adopt them at the same time!! Those two kitties are adorable!! However please be warned that I have 3 dogs, 15 chickens, two miniature donkeys and a beta fish so I am not going to talk you out of adopting two kitties! We would like to have a cat but one of my daughters has asthma and her pulmonary specialist advised against it.
Owning pets is not a right but a responsibility, both financially and emotionally. That being said- I bet it is lots cheaper than owning an airstream!

[str8strm]

We rescued our latest cat at 3 months old. He was in the moho the next day for a trip, along with our two bassett hounds. He's the best traveler of the bunch. We immediately introduced him to a harness. He now sits around the campsite on a leash, and will even take walks with the dogs.
Do it. Ron

[danalee]

We have traveled with one of our cats and plan to travel with two of them in Jan. I put their box in the tub and they seem to love all the windows in the AS. Our dogs do fine with the cats. I can't travel with everybody so we take turns. LOL

[robert claus]

We travel with two cats - one (Arzu) adopted from a shelter at age two, and a second who found us a year ago. Mr. Lovey walked into our campsite on the last weekend of the season, and made himself at home, just a month after we lost our Lab. It was our first trip without him. The camp host (who was readying the campground for closing) thought he'd been left by other campers early in the season, and had lived by his wits. It took until Christmas to get the two cats together in our house, but now they are close friends. We harness them so that we can leash them for safety. They travel in the van - we start in carriers, then let them out when underway. The litter box is in the back of the van, and moves into the trailer, along with the cats, as soon as we reach our destination. Litter box is in the shower, and comes out of the bathroom when we shower. A little litter spillage gets washed down the drain without any issues. They love watching out of the windows and looking into the woods, so leave the curtains partially open whenever possible. Arzu enjoys going outside and walking around, but Mr. Lovey has flashbacks, we think, and gets unsettled if I take him out - so he happily stays in.
It is not only possible, but very enjoyable, camping with cats. Plus, you never have to take them out for a walk when it is raining!

[nynick52]

Anyone have luck taking non-traveling cats out for the first time? A litter of six adopted us (we managed to place four) a year and a half ago. We think of taking Zeus and Ava out with us but their only travels ths far have been to the vet and back.
Will they adapt to that kind of change. I'm pretty sure the male would; he could care less about most things. The female however, is a freak. Any experience?

Nick

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by nynick52

Anyone have luck taking non-traveling cats out for the first time? A litter of six adopted us (we managed to place four) a year and a half ago. We think of taking Zeus and Ava out with us but their only travels ths far have been to the vet and back.
Will they adapt to that kind of change. I'm pretty sure the male would; he could care less about most things. The female however, is a freak. Any experience?

Nick

Hi Nick,
Read my post #7.
These are my recommendations
1. Always have the cats ride in the TV. Restrained or not your option.
2. Make sure they are under total control when transferring them between TV and RV.
3. Be aware of where they are anytime you open a door. They like to bolt.
4. Make a space in the RV for them to hide if they become frightened. Ours go in the bottom of closet and under the bedspread.
5. We leave a curtain partially open at night in a place where they can sit and look out. This helps keep them quiet during the day. If the weather is nice enough we leave a window cracked so they can smell the scents of the night.
6. Make some special rituals that they will look forward to. We always have a small plate of tuna for them after dinner. We do not leave food down for them. We feed them twice a day. This is better for them and makes them more dependent on us. One of our cats can tell when we are getting ready for a trip. She hangs around the trailer and meows to be let in so she doesn’t miss the trip.
7. If they get comfortable enough, you can give them a turn at driving. See below. Daisy is telling me to get in the truck or she will leave without me.
Good luck and I am sure they will adapt to traveling and come to enjoy it.
Ken

[InsideOut]

A camping cat? Sure...no problem. We camp with our Miss Lily just about every trip. She is a real trooper and loves to hang out in "her trailer". We may have an interesting "next trip" though...we recently got a puppy, who should be calmed down a bit by next spring so both can go with us next time ~

Shari

[Silverfoxrae]

I definitely am all for traveling with cats. It's really a matter of being a responsible guardian and making sure they are safe and comfortable. The rest will be handled by them. The younger they are when they first travel thebetter but I think most will adapt. It's more about their relationship with you than where they are. If you have a strong bond they will be happy to be with you. If they have a buddy it makes it more enjoyable during the times when you're off walking or socializing and they're left in the AS. Plus, they sleep a lot. Cats are pretty easy. One thing to consider is fabrics and curtains. Sometimes covers or different fabrics and blinds might be better for climbing kittens. But usually if they have somecardboard scratchers and toys they figure it out

[62bam]

I'm getting to like cats more and more. Do you know why? Because they taste like chicken!...........JUST KIDDING.

[eubank]

Lordy, we've been owned by so many cats over the last 40 years that it's hard to keep count. They were all great owners, some of them really outstanding. But once our two current felines go to catheaven, I think that'll be the end of our cat days. (Schatzi will be 20 this spring. Beast is only a year or two behind her.)

Lynn

[Mackhopp]

Well, update - I adopted the 2 kitties, and I am so happy with how things have turned out. They've been with us a few short weeks but they're already troopers. They went from an apartment living with an older, quiet woman to a single woman in a townhouse their foster home. Now they're in a house with 2 larger dogs, 2 boys - it's not quiet, that's for sure.

They're not afraid of the dogs (everyone is still getting used to one another, but the cats are the bosses ultimately) and will follow my husband and I like little dogs. When it's time to go to bed at night they hop up and start purring and chirping and kneading their paws, ultimately settling down in between us or under the covers. I just can't believe how sweet they are.

I'm really eyeing them for future Airstream trips. Too bad it's in storage now, would be nice to get them accustomed to the trailer now, but I'm sure things will be fine. Our first trip next season is going to be to Florida, a 1500+ mile adventure. That won't be the time to turn them into camping cats. I'll wait until we have a trip that's a wee bit closer before we do that.

I'm planning on having them ride in the truck with us - 'cause not every car trip has to end up at the vet's, right?

Also planning on putting the litter box in the shower, and jimmying the door so that it can't accidentally close all the way.

Will post pictures next spring.