Travels with Tabby

By Diana McKeon Charkalis

When Leslie Goodyard takes time off to relax at her Captiva Island timeshare in Florida, she sometimes takes her boyfriend. But she always brings her cat. "Floyd is like family to me," says the 37-year-old attorney from Alexandria, Virginia. "It doesn't feel right leaving him at home."

A growing number of cat owners share this sentiment and find that going on vacation with our cats makes time-off even more relaxing. "Cats are like our children -- and we want to take them everywhere," says Kelly Connolly, a Companion Animals Issues Specialist at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). "We don't want our pets to miss out."

Thinking about taking Kitty along on your next holiday? The first step is to ask yourself: "Is this something my cat might want to do?" Or would the experience cause your furry friend to become frightened and withdraw? "Some cats are homebodies and may not take well to the idea of travel," cautions Connolly.  But if you think your cat is adventuresome, here are some tips to keep Kitty happy, healthy and safe along the way.

1. Keep vital information handy  If you're traveling across state lines, the HSUS recommends taking along updated certificates for health and rabies vaccination, both of which are issued by your cat's vet. And whether traveling by plane, train, or automobile, always label your carrier thoroughly in case of an accident. Be sure to include: your name, address and phone number; cat's name; updated vaccination information; name and address of your vet and an emergency contact other than yourself.

2. Minimize stress by practicing in advance  To minimize stress during travel, give your pet about a month before the trip to get comfortable in the carrier. Place a favorite blanket or other comforting objects inside, Connolly recommends. Even if your cat is still skittish on the big day, never give it sedatives unless your vet has prescribed them beforehand.

3. Limit food and water  Avoid feeding your cat four to six hours before travel. Small amounts of water can be given before the trip. For less mess, put ice cubes instead of water in the tray attached to the inside of the carrier. As the cubes melt, the cat will drink the water a little at a time.

4. Do your homework before you fly  The HSUS doesn't recommend air travel for cats. "But if they do fly, they should travel in the cabin," Connolly advises. "We don't recommend cats flying in cargo."

Although many airlines allow felines onboard for a fee, each airline has a different policy, and they are subject to change. For example, Air Canada recently joined Southwest Airlines in banning pets from traveling in passenger cabins due to complaints of pet allergies from other travelers.

If cats are allowed onboard, let the airline know your plans well in advance of your flight, as the number of animals allowed in the cabin may be limited. Also, find out ahead of time if the airline has any special pet health and immunization requirements, or if they require a specific type and size of pet carrier.

5. Find the best pet-friendly hotels  According to Robert and Dawn Habgood, authors of Pets on the Go, The Definitive Pet Accommodation and Vacation Guides (Dawbert Press), there are thousands of hotels, motels and inns across the United States that accept guests with cats, including the most popular chains.  Most hotels set their own policies, so it is important to call ahead and ask if pets are permitted and what their restrictions are.

These days, cats can stay overnight in the lap of luxury. At the Raffles L'Ermitage in Beverly Hills, for example, cats choose their meals from a special "pet menu" that includes appetizers and entrees. And in Cambridge, Mass., at the Hotel Marlowe felines are issued fancy leopard print collar tags and given special treats. At Hotel Monaco in Chicago, kitties receive a bowl, a disposable litter box and a kitty treat at turndown.

But the Habgoods issue a parting caveat: Don't let your delight at finding a pet-friendly property let you forget to ask about associated pet charges. They note they've had a number of emails from people who didn't ask ahead of time and were upset to learn at checkout that they were responsible for paying additional pet fees. Doing your homework is the best way to ensure that your pet-friendly hotel doesn't turn unfriendly.