QuestionHi. This Sept. or Oct., my husband and I are moving from Oregon to upstate N.Y.; I need to transport 3 dogs (elderly retriever & pekingnese, young lab-mix), a middle-aged indoor cat, 2 rabbits and 2 chickens. I had a brainstorm, and thought I'd rent an RV--airconditioning, roomy, safe--but the rental agency doesn't allow pets. The rabbits and chickens will be in transported in two rabbit hutchs, the cat will be in a large dog-crate, and the dogs will ride loose in the vehicle with us. I want to make this a quick, stress-free trip for them, and stowing the smaller animals in the back of a U-haul seems cruel: hot and noisy. Any suggestions?
AnswerThe RV sounded like a good idea. I have friends that bought one so they could take their dogs along on a trip to alaska. Before giving it up, check for another agency. Maybe check ''Drive always''. Perhaps cheap rentals have killed the old system of flying somewhere and trusting some strangers needing wheels to show up with your car later. Maybe advertise and somebody will rent you their private one. If so, insurance could be a mess.
What are you driving? Will all the animals fit in it, or are you going to have to put some of them in the U-Haul? Who knows what the weather could be like then. It could still be hot enough to turn a closed trailer into an oven. We once shared renting a 15 passenger van with friends, but I don't think we told them we had 6 dogs in addition to the 6 people.
One tip I picked up is stopping for rest stops at Petsmart or Petco that have restrooms and allow pets. Still you won't be able to take in the whole menagerie.
