Most fanciers drive to shows. Indeed, after one has begun showing
for a while, he’ll begin looking at new vecicles and think
“how will that car hold a couple of carriers and gear?”
or “perhaps we’d be better off getting a van…for
the cat.”
The trek to the showhall usually begins on Friday and often after
one gets off from work. It’s not uncommon to get home, finish
packing the car, drive 1-5 (and sometimes more) hours to finally
reach the show hotel. For some of the more distant shows, an exhibitor
may take all or part of the day off for travel.
Thoughts of driving to a distant show make you uneasy? Then consider
sharing the drive with another local exhibitor, or one you can
meet en route. You’ll both save money on travel and the
trip will be much more enjoyable. Don’t know of anyone to
share a ride with? Some of the various lists will allow you to
post travel requests to help you find someone. And that’s
also a great way to meet new exhibitors as well!
No matter how you travel, one rule should remain firm –
the cat travels in a cage or carrier. Traveling with your cat
loose in the car (no matter how much he might beg) is dangerous
for both of you. Your cat could inadvertently do something to
distract you and cause an accident, or get under your feet and
impede your driving. Also, if a cat is in a cage or carrier, he
is much more likely to survive an accident than if loose. If the
car is hit or rolled, there is also a good chance that he’ll
remain in the carrier, rather than being released into the wild
or onto a busy highway. If at all possible, strap a seat belt
through the handle of the carrier.
Bathroom accidents and upset tummies are a fact of life when traveling
with a cat. Always travel with plenty of paper towels to clean
messes up with and plastic bags to dispose of the mess in or to
place a soiled cosy into. Should you dispose of your soiled goods
in a public trash bin, do tie up everything and be as neat as
possible.
Some exhibitors have small cages that will accomdate a small litter
pan, some food and water dishes, and a cosy or hammock when traveling
long distances. Others may use a larger carrier and place a very
small litter pan or plastic pan in with the cat.
Be mindful of the weather when traveling with your cat. Carrier
covers that slip over the carrying handle are great when traveling
in winter as they keep the cold wind from chilling your cat while
being transported across a parking lot. Hot days are especially
dangerous when traveling. Make sure that you cat stays cool, and
never leave him locked in the car with no air conditioning. If
you need to stop and eat, eat in the car with the air conditioning
running. Otherwise at the end of the road you’ll have a
kitty suffering from a heat stroke or worse!