Moving with Ferals

Question
Hi Tabbi!

I believe I got an answer from you some time ago regarding my two feral cats Taylor and Kinney.
Taylor WAS very skittish and wouldn't even let us pet him, now he's a big cuddly momma's boy who loves nothing more than to be scratched and pet. Your advice was VERY helpful and I just wanted to start off by thanking you for that.

Now my question:
My boyfriend and I currently live in Vancouver, BC. This Spring we are planning on moving to Victoria on Vancouver Island and obviously this means moving our cats.
At this point we've been trying to think of ways to move our cats (this includes an 1 1/2 long ferry ride) with them being as minimally traumatized as possible.
We thought of getting a big dog carrier and putting them both in one along with tons of blankets so that they would feel safe and "hidden," also this way, they would be together for the duration of the trip which we think might alleviate stress.
I was told that maybe giving them a tranquilizer might help as well but I don't feel that's necessary as it's not an extremely long trip.
Any advice in getting them into the carriers, as well as helping minimize the stress that they're obviously going to have would be really helpful.
Also, maybe a few tips on helping them adjust to their new surroundings as well.

Thank you Tabbi!

Answer
Lindsay,

You have the right idea by keeping them together. That helps a lot for comfort and security.

I would start by getting the carrier/crate in the kitchen, or where they normally eat, leaving the door off. Feed them inside the carrier so they get used to going in it. Or put little bowls of tuna in it (or tinned sardines in oil). Get them used to going inside of it for a couple of weeks. Then have the door back on and when they are inside of it shut the door. Leave them sit inside of it for a while to get their panicking over. Then I would take them for short car rides anytime you can get one or both of them in there. That will get them more used to traveling and the motion and noises of the vehicle and the road. Let them get their screaming and meowing over with (if they are going to do it) before you take them for the first time somewhere and they drive everyone crazy (smile).

When you are planning on moving, spray the cage about 20 minutes before you get them in it with Feliway (or ComfortZone with Feliway). That will help calm them. You can get it at a vet's office (they use it too), probably PetSmart/Petco, etc., or online.

Keep the cage covered with a blanket to help make them feel more secure inside. Also put a a shoebox litterbox in there, but no food or water. Do not feed them the same day you are traveling to prevent motion sickness. When they seem calm, or you get there, then you can offer them food and water. Make sure they aren't getting any drafts from car windows. If you are taking the cats on the ferry, they probably won't know notice much difference if they are still in the same car.

When you are packing do NOT let your cats outside! They can sense when something is going on and may disappear on you. It's better to keep them locked in a room for a couple of days until you are ready to leave.

If you want to let the cat loose in the car, the MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember is NEVER put the car windows down more than about 2 1/2 to 3 inches!! A cat does not have any reasoning abilities and they do not know that if they jump out a window when the car is moving that they will more than likely be killed or severely injured. And a panicked cat can squeeze himself out of a VERY small area.

If a cat is a yowler he will eventually tire himself out and go to sleep. There are some cats who enjoy the car and enjoy looking out the window or laying on the backseat looking around. You just have to discover what kind of cat you have.

At the new home the cats needs to stay inside for 2 weeks to learn the new smells, noises, etc. of the new home. Then when you first let them out (if you do), leave the door cracked open so they can run back in if they get scared. Let them venture out as they feel comfortable.

If an indoor cat accidentally gets outside, or if you move to a new location with your outdoor cats, it is very common that they will become lost - even if they are only 10 feet away from home if they have not had the opportunity to scent mark their outdoor territory too. Make sure the cats check out the outside area of the new home so they can put their scent on things so they know where home is.

Also collar train the cats and put your new address and phone number taped on the collars in case they get disoriented outside, or if they slip out the door on you.

Here are some good websites with further information on moving and traveling with your cat that you may also find helpful. You may want to print out some of the information to have it handy for reference when you are traveling:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)

http://moving.about.com/od/movingwithdependents/a/pets_road.htm

http://www.sfspca.org/behavior/cat_library/movingwithyourcat.pdf

http://catnet.stanford.edu/articles/moving_by_car.html

Article about after the move:

http://www.wikihow.com/Keep-a-Cat-from-Running-Away-when-It-Is-Moved

Remember that tame ferals are not like domesticated cats and will not act like typical cats. They are VERY skittish around strangers and noises. If you find that taking them for trial runs (if you can) is not helping them settle down, then as a last resort you can talk to your vet about something to calm them before the trip. I don't agree with tranquilizers but in extreme cases they may be necessary. And don't worry about them bashing against a cage. Usually agitated cats will try everything before they settle down. The ferals may surprise you and 'freeze', not making a peep when traveling. That is an inbred reaction when they perceive danger.

I hope this information is helpful to you, and I hope that you, your boyfriend, and your cats have a safe uneventful move, and a safe problem free trip. I've been to Victoria and it is beautiful.

Tabbi