How to transport a cat in a train or plane

The need to transport cats occurs quite often. For this reason, before the trip, pet owners clutching their heads, not knowing where to start fees and what documents are needed. The need is caused by a trip to the exhibition, a long trip or a change of permanent residence. To give a family pet "in good hands" is not the best option. As a result, red tape begins: information, tickets, organizational issues and so on. Consider the important aspects of transporting cats on an airplane and train.

How to transport a cat by train

1. To hold a cat legally, you must go through quarantine. The fact is that the movement of animals is carried out only in the presence of vaccination against rabies, which is held no earlier than a month before the date of the proposed trip. For vaccinations, contact any clinic (public or private), find out what days the procedure is performed. Insist on pasting the appropriate material into the veterinary passport.Also ask for a certificate stating that the animal has been vaccinated. Explain to the vet that you are going to transport the cat.
2. Issue a general pet health certificate, it must be completely healthy. For these purposes, contact the clinic, make an appointment and bring a cat for inspection. The doctor will make the necessary vaccinations, if the vaccination has not been carried out earlier, will enter the information in the vetpasport. In addition, the specialist will process the pet from endo- and ectoparasites (de-worming, extermination of fleas, ear mites, etc.). Important! Veterinary certificate must be issued no earlier than 1 month before the date of the intended trip.
3. 1 day before departure, visit the state district clinic and purchase a certificate for moving a pet. The data about the cat / cats are entered into the document (it is possible to transport several animals, registering them in one certificate). Make sure that the paper marks the recent vaccination in the habitat zone. An important aspect is that the certificate is valid only 3 days or before arriving at the destination, if the total travel time is longer than three days (the place is indicated in the document).In the case of an exhibition, you must have the same certificate and vetpasport.
4. According to Russian law, it is allowed to transport small pets in the reserved car as hand luggage. Regarding tickets, buy 1 bag for a cat (up to 20 kg. Weight). When boarding, the guide will check the veterinary passport and tickets.
5. For these purposes, you will need to purchase a spacious carrying bag from a rigid frame. Prefer container for animals made of plastic with an iron lattice. If you are traveling in the winter season, sew a warm, waterproof case that wears on. The presence of constant drafts and transitions from heat to cold can adversely affect the health of a family pet. Do not forget to lay a disposable diaper on the bottom in case the pet wants to go to the toilet. Important! Do not let the animal out of the carrier, even if the cat begins to violently meow, scratch the bag, be nervous. It is always necessary to remember that cats are extremely quirky creatures. If you open the container, the animal can escape, it will be much more difficult to return it to its place.
6. It is mandatory to collect a mini-suitcase for the cat.Place disposable waterproof diapers (sold at the pharmacy or pet stores), favorite toys, resistant drinking and food bowls, wet wipes, ready-made food (dry or canned), 1.5-liter bottle of filtered water. If the road is close, do not feed the cat on the way. Give her a meal 3-4 hours before departure to avoid cramping and vomiting. In the case of a long journey, carry out feeding during the train stops.
7. When you release the cat from the “stretch the bones” carrying, do not leave it unattended. The animal can run away from fright, get into a corner or a ventilation pipe, which is often open. Teach your cat to harness and leash, while landing, keep her "on a leash." Periodically indulge your pet with a treat to calm it down a bit.
8. Prepare a first aid kit for an animal in advance in case there are difficulties with digestion on the way. Also place soothing drops in your bag, they are sold in veterinary pharmacy and pet stores. The most common drug is considered to be "Cat Bayun." Visit the vet to make sure there are no contraindications.

How to translate a cat in the plane

1. Take care of the availability of documents required for transporting the cat. A package of papers depends on territoriality: you are planning a trip abroad or moving within your own country.
2. As for the transportation of a pet by domestic flights, it will be necessary to issue a certificate of the first form (No. 1), the document is provided at the airport. You also need to visit the veterinary clinic, so that the experts brought a veterinary passport to the animal.
3. If the trip is made by an overseas flight, an international certificate is added to the above documents (Form No. 1, vet passport). It must be registered during the passage of customs.
4. In cases where the cat has pedigree value, issue a corresponding certificate in her cattery or dog breeding center. Even if this fact is absent, indicate it in the document.
5. Visit the consulate of the destination country. Learn about the necessary documents that the host party will ask for. There are no universal requirements, each state has its own preferences. However, all customs services are asked to indicate the presence of rabies vaccination.
6. When you deal with inquiries, proceed to purchase a ticket. Explain to the operator that the trip is made with a cat. The manager will issue a baggage ticket based on the weight category. In some airlines, the pricing policy is fixed.
7. There are 2 main ways to transport cats: passenger compartment, luggage compartment. The last option was created specifically for animals, the box is heated, so the pet will feel comfortable. In addition, many airlines allow visiting pets during the flight.
8. Moving with a pet in the cabin for passengers requires a carrying bag. At the same time, the total dimensions of the container should not exceed 115 cm, and the pet’s weight should not exceed 7-8 kg. (it all depends on the specific airline). Of course, the transportation of cats in the cabin - the best option, but not all companies allow such manipulations.
9. Airline requirements state that the shipping container must be large enough. Make sure that the pet is able to turn in it at 360 degrees. Cover the bottom of the carrying material with moisture absorbing material. Pay attention to the presence of ventilation in the bag, otherwise the cat will get a heat stroke.During landing (until the moment when the plane takes off) keep the container covered with a dark light cloth so that the cat is not frightened.
10. Upon arrival at the airport, visit the veterinary control point to get help on the first form (permission to enter). At the front desk, check how full the plane is. If space is available, ask the operator to leave one beside you to place the carrier. According to the rules of transportation, the container is in the legs or under the passenger seat in front. However, if you put the bag near, the cat will stop worrying.

Practical recommendations

1. Before any trip, read the rules of transporting pets on the airline or Russian Railways website. The policies of individual companies include a number of restrictions on breed, weight, age, etc. For example, it is impossible to transport kittens up to 3 months, it is also not recommended to take aboard cats of old age.
2. Before you go on a trip, visit the clinic for advice. Ask the veterinarian to show how artificial lung ventilation is performed in cats with a flat nose, and how to transport pets that are overweight.Important! It is forbidden to transport pregnant cats. The same applies to animals suffering from diseases of the heart and lungs.
3. Even when you have the necessary documents on your hands, namely a certificate in the first form, a veterinary passport, permission to leave / enter, the receiving party may request an additional package of papers. This is worth keeping in mind.
4. If you are visiting Asian countries, make sure that you do not need any additional vaccination. With regards to vaccination against rabies, do it no later than 8 months and not earlier than 10 days before the date of departure. Important! In the case of cat transportation abroad, visit the Russian Canine Federation and submit a request for the presence or absence of breeding value of a cat of a particular breed.
5. If possible, buy a carrier with attachments for bowls (food, water). To make it easier to drink, put a foam sponge in the water tank with which the cat will lick the liquid. Paste a laminated sheet of paper marked “Live animal”, a phone number and the name of the owner. Important! It is mandatory to check the carrying bag for compliance with international transport requirements according to the IATA standard.
6. It is not necessary to feed the pet immediately before departure. Calculate the meal time so that there is at least 3-4 hours left before the trip. Give preference to light foods that do not burden the stomach. Spoil the cat with a treat during flight to make it less nervous.
7. Put in the carrier cloth with the smell of an animal and the thing with your scent. Such a move will relax your pet a little, otherwise give the cat a sedative according to the instructions (prior consultation of the veterinarian is required).
8. Watch your pet carefully, water it in time and feed it. If the cat stuck out her tongue and breathes heavily, then her body is exhausted and overheated. Give the animal to drink as often as the situation requires. Do not allow drafts, do not put the carrier under the cold stream from the air conditioner. Come out to the platform during the stops so that the animal breathes fresh air.

It is easy to transport a cat, if you have sufficient knowledge. Make sure that the pet has everything you need: food, first aid kit, plenty of drinks, toilet (diapers), harness. Collect a complete package of documents that the receiving party will require.

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