Date:         Fri, 20 Jun 2003 07:56:44 -0700
Reply-To:     Strawn <scstrawn@EEE.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Strawn <scstrawn@EEE.ORG>
Subject:      Re: cats and campers
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

A shortened version of a reply I sent to Jim, sending to the list in case
there are others out there considering taking their cats along:

As a Weird Old Cat Lady, cat veterinarian and Westy camper I would agree
with
    -start them early
    -have them secured before opening the doors
    I would also highly recommend that you get your kitten used to either a
large carrier or collapsible crate (available at pet stores) large enough
for the kitty, a small litter box, and food/water bowls. I am reluctant to
leave a cat tied, even by harness, if I'm not right there (they can get
caught up in the leash, and injure or even hang themselves), and yet you
often want them confined where they are safe (and feel safe). If  they have
the chance to get used to it from the beginning, the carrier/crate becomes
safe haven for them (as opposed to the Dreaded Box Which Only Takes Them To
The Veterinarian). This is important while camping, especially if you're
gone from the camper without them, and also while traveling - should you
happen to be in an accident or break down on the road, the cat is safer in
the crate/carrier and is still confined as opposed to possibly getting loose
and being hit by a car or lost forever when it panics and runs away.
    In the end, it depends on the individual personality of the cat how well
all this works, but I have had clients whose cats went everywhere with them
and were completely happy about the whole thing. My little old kitties do
better coming with me (they do orient to their people as well as their
place, despite rumors to the contrary) than being left at home - even when I
take the dogs along too .... much easier now that I have that extra side
tent!
Happy Camping!
Sally Strawn
'89 Westy "Vanna White"

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Jim Digennaro
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2003 7:43 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: cats and campers