Traveling with a cat is a fun and challenging thing to do, and there may be some difficulties and problems for people who don't have a car. Don't worry, though, as long as you're prepared and choose the right way, you can enjoy the outside world with your cat. In this article, I will introduce you to some methods and precautions on how to travel with cats for car-free people, I hope it will be helpful to you.
Method 1: Walk or bike.
If you want to take your cat for a walk in a nearby park or green space, you can choose to walk or ride. In this way, you can save on transportation costs, you can also exercise, and you can also let your cat feel the natural atmosphere. However, there are some requirements and risks associated with this approach, such as:
You need to put a leash or harness on your cat to prevent it from getting lost or being attacked by other animals. You can also put a bell or reflective collar on your cat to increase your cat's visibility and safety.
You need to prepare a suitable cat bag or kennel for your cat to prevent it from being frightened or uncomfortable on the road. You can choose different styles such as backpacks, handbags, space bags, etc., but pay attention to the breathability, comfort, and stability of the bag. You can also put some toys or treats that cats like in your bag to relieve your cat's tension and anxiety.
You need to choose the right time and route according to the weather and road conditions, avoid harsh environments such as high temperature, cold, rain and snow, wind and sand, and also avoid crowded, noisy, and complicated roads, so as not to cause unnecessary stress and danger to cats.
Method 2: Take a taxi or hitchhike.
If you want to take your cat to a slightly farther place, such as a pet store, pet hospital, pet grooming salon, etc., you can choose to take a taxi or a ride. This way, you can save time and effort, and also allow your cat to enjoy a more comfortable ride. However, there are some requirements and risks associated with this approach, such as:
You need to communicate with the driver beforehand that you have a cat with you and get the driver's permission. You can also find drivers who are willing to accept pets through some specialized pet taxi or ride-hailing platforms, such as pet taxis, pet rides, etc.
You need to have a suitable cat bag or kennel for your cat to prevent it from moving or barking in the car. You can choose from different styles, but pay attention to the breathability, comfort and stability of the bag. You can also put some toys or treats that cats like in your bag to relieve your cat's tension and anxiety.
You need to choose the right time and route according to the traffic and road conditions, avoid rush hour, traffic jam, detour period and other situations that affect the trip, and also avoid too bumpy, sudden braking, sharp turn and other situations that affect safety, so as not to cause unnecessary pressure and danger to the cat.
Method 3: Handle the consignment.
If you want to take your cat to a far away place, such as returning to your hometown, traveling, etc., you can choose to check it in. In this way, you can save hassle and expense, and also allow your cat to enjoy a more professional transportation service. However, there are some requirements and risks associated with this approach, such as:
You need to communicate with the shipping company in advance to understand their rules and procedures for consignment of pets, such as the cost, time, conditions, restrictions, etc. You can also find a suitable transportation company through some specialized pet consignment platforms, such as pet consignment, pet transportation, etc.
You need to apply for some necessary documents for the cat, such as vaccination certificates, quarantine certificates, health certificates, etc., to prove the identity and health status of the cat. You also need to prepare a standard kennel for your cat to ensure your cat's safety and comfort. You can refer to some pet consignment guides, such as [Cat Travel Sharing 2 - Take the Cat Home Complete Guide to Pet Consignment (including the cat stay-behind guide)], etc., to learn more details and precautions.
You need to choose the right time and route according to the mode and distance of transportation, avoid too hot, cold, humid, insufficient oxygen and other environments that affect health, and also avoid too long, frequent, complex and other psychological situations, so as not to cause unnecessary pressure and danger to cats.