Parischick

Hi all,

Thanks to those of you who have posted helpful responses, particularly hasfrau and BTilke.

As far as taking my cat with me, I understand most of your concerns. I have spent a great deal of time debating whether or not I should bring him with me, since it is only for two years. After much thought, I decided that taking him with me is the best option for both of us. He will be much better off living with me rather than living with my parents, who do not particularly want another cat. And he is much better off not being put up for an adoption, especially in Louisiana, since if he is not adopted in a certain amount of time, he will be euthanized. Obviously, I prefer to have him with me as I love him as if he were my child.

He will be left alone in the apartment all day while I am gone, but this is the same situation he is in now. I think that he is quite content to stay home and nap during the day. Also, I might add that I will likely not be working as much due to France's 35 hour work week and overtime restrictions. Thus, I think that his quality of life will be even better than in the US, since I often work 12 hour days. More play time for him in the evenings!

In terms of getting him declawed: once again, this was a decision I struggled with. I realize that it is considered inhumane in some countries and that it is a painful surgery. However, it was not possible for me to rent a furnished apartment in Paris if Beckham's claws were not removed. Since I know that he will be much happier living with me and also have a better quality of life, I made the decision to have him declawed.

In terms of his diet, I am by no means starving him! My vet specifically expressed to me two months ago when Beckham weighed 16 lbs, that he needed to lose some weight. I changed Beckham's diet-- began measuring his food (before, his bowl was always full) and switched his food from Science Diet to Science Diet Light. Now, Beckham is down to 14 lbs and looks much healthier. When I took him to the vet recently, I told him about Air France's weight requirements and my vet advised me to go ahead and keep feeding him on the same diet and see if he could continue to drop more weight. Obviously, if Beckham can't drop another 1.5 lbs, I'm not going to starve him. I love my cat and want him to be healthy (which is why he went on a diet in the first place; obesity in animals carries the same increased health risks as it does in humans. He is at an average weight for his length and age, but could still afford to lose an extra lb or two.

In terms of sedating him, I was not planning on doing so. I realize that it can make some animals feel sick and be a hazard if he winds up flying in cargo.

In terms of airlines I was planning on flying, I would have prefered to fly Continental, as I live in Lake Charles Louisiana and it is the only airline carrier we have at our airport. However they are rather strict with transporting animals--it is not even possible to carry him on board with me. He must go in cargo, and they charge a hefty fee. I was planning on having my dad drive me to Houston and fly Air France directly to Paris. However, with their strict weight requirements, I'm not sure if that is the best option. As BTilke noted, Air Swiss has less stringent weight requirements, but I would have to fly Houston to NY, NY to Zurich and then to Paris. By the time I've taken all of those flights, it might be easier on Beckham to just fly cargo on Air France, since we would be in the air/in airports for at least 24 hours.

I am considering using Air Animal Pet Moving Services, but I'm afraid it will be quite expensive. As a recent college grad, I am not making that much money, so I'm not even sure if it will be an option.

In conclusion, thanks again to those of you who posted helpful comments rather than just ranting about my "cruel" treatment of my cat. You might be surprised just how happy Beckham is, despite not having claws and his Science Diet Light cat food. I can assure you that his life is much better now than in the Brunswick Animal Shelter from which I adopted him.

lyb

Parischick,

As I thought, you're a thoughtful cat friend, who loves your cat and are making the best decision possible. I applaud you!

Good luck on your move and Beckham seems to be another lucky cat who has a caring, loving home!

Bravo to you!!!!!!

PalenQ

<Oh gawd... we aren't really comparing a feline with a human are we?????>

I've seen polls that asked young woman that if they had to chose between their boyfriend and her cat - a majority chose the cat!

lyb

>>I've seen polls that asked young woman that if they had to chose between their boyfriend and her cat - a majority chose the cat!<<

Of course, the cat won't decide to trade you in for a younger model or for one who laughs at his jokes more, etc.... Plus, a cat is much more dependable

tcreath

When I found out I was allergic to cats a few years ago my allergist gave me a list of things I could do to help the situation. One of them was to kick the cat out of the bed, but he said that he had people tell him that they would kick their spouse out of the bed before their cat...I gave it some thought and realized I agreed!

I love my cats and couldn't imagine my life without them, so cheers to Parischick for bringing her cat with her.

Tracy

nona1

I don't support everything you've done but you seem to have things well planned out. Good luck with your move. RE the sedation - don't, really. It can be really dangerous for flying animals. If your cat were travelling from the UK it wouldn't be allowed on a plane if they even suspected it had been sedated.

I'd re-consider cargo too. The main problems are caused by owners cramming animals into too small crates, and you obviously wouldn't do that. Otherwise, it's a much more peaceful and less stressful journey for the animal, than being in a crowded noisy cabin full of strange people, crying babies, odd smells etc...

(PS to the person who adviced those who are "whining about allergies" to go and get a shot. That's outrageous. To dismiss what could be a serious allergy as 'whining' is outrageous. My friend is allergic and if he came to my house (with pet cat) within a few minutes his whole head was about twice its normal size, bright red and he would start having breathing difficulties. Of course, he would try to avoid cats wherever possible. To suggest that someone should go and have shots for your pet-owning convenience is getting things a little backwards, no? It also would never have crossed my mind that animals are allowed in plane cabins. Even as an animal-lover and pet owner I wouldn't be thrilled to be near one. If I were a genuinely allergic person I'd be livid!)

PalenQ

If i saw a cat on my plane i would raise Hell - i'm also allergic and i can't believe airlines would allow this at all.

vjpblovesitaly

FedEx first overnight - delivery by 8:30 a.m. the next day

anchoress

I travelled to Irelan from an offshore Scottish island with one of my cats; three planes in all. In the hold. she did fine. In between flights, she sat on my lap and ate tuna...the night en route in dublin they had no problems about her being in my room; I booked in advance and asked them. The only problem was getting her through security at Edinburgh as no one knew the procedures... the airport all but came to a halt..finally a Man in a Suit ( I was in a wheelchair) took us into a small room and I got the cat out while he searched the cage... lol!
Cats are more resilient than we think...she was in and out of planes the whole day.. and playing with the hanging lightswitch and dancing on my face at 2 am in the morning..
All have said re declawing better than I ever could..awful thing to do to an animal.

StCirq

For the record, I wasn't "whining" about having allergies and I didn't see anyone else whining about them either. Nor did I say I considered them "life-threatening."

And also for the record, I don't need allergy shots because I'm never around cats. Why on earth would I go get allergy shots on the off chance I might end up next to a cat on an airplane? That's truly illogical thinking.

lyb

StCirq,
I totally agree with you on this one, it would make no sense to get allergy shots, just in case.

lyb

I guess we all have strong feelings one way or the other about declawing...but I have very strong feelings about people who feel that their cats need to go outdoor.

If you only let them outdoor in your yard and while you are there, that's one thing. But I think it is EXTREMELY reckless and uncaring to let them run around loose in the neighborhood. You are basically saying, it's okay if they get run over, it's okay if they can attacked by dogs, it's okay if they eat something that can be poisonous. It's okay if they don't come home because they're just a cat.

Also, you are saying, it's okay if they go in my neighbor's yards and do their business there and/or bother the cat who is just chilling in his own yard!!

Allowing a cat to be loose is giving him an early death sentence, and that's not just from me, but from several vets I have met throughout my cat owning days. An indoor cat's life is extended by 5 - 10 years, and this is according to several vets!

Rosiegirl

Sheesh, people, calm down. If anyone knows about allergies it is me. Eleven years of injections and 15 years of medication! But I hear it all the time. I'm allergic to this, I'm allergic to that. All I said was there is help. Don't live with the fear of going into a cat or dog house or whatever. What is wrong with medical help if you have severe allergies.

vjpblovesitaly

Maybe you shouldn't have accused people of whining. Then there would be nothing to calm down from.

I used to be more allergic to cats than I am now. Now I only sneeze when I am around many of them (as the case with a friend with 10 of them) or if the little things climb on me.

I will tell you though, it will be a cold day in hell before I spend a dime on allergy shots or take shots just to visit a friend who has those little creatures running around their house.

kerouac

1. I know an American who moved to Paris with her cat 10 years ago, and Huckleberry is still doing fine even though she lives in a minuscule studio apartment.
2. There is an absolutely grotesque TV commercial for the Sheba ultra expensive cat food at the moment on French TV, promising whole shrimp in the sea food cans. It looks more delicious than most ordinary working people can afford for themselves.

Parischick

Thanks Kerouac, for your encouraging post. Beckham will be happy to eat fancy french cat food when he arrives!

BTilke

An interesting analysis on the life of indoor cats

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nNN7Rg4EgM

cigalechanta

People aren't allergic to cats, it's their dander.
Dogs have owners, cats have staff.
In ancient times cats were worshipped s Gods; they have never forgotton this

BTilke

You might want to consider switching your cat (gradually) to Royal Canin's light cat food. It's very good quality and it's the most commonly available premium cat food in France (it's a French brand). They carry it at PetSmart, I believe. I was speaking with the manager about the PetSmart (it could be PetCo, I get them confused) in The Villages, FL, and he said it's the brand he would recommend for cats and dogs, but it's an uphill battle as it's not well known in the U.S. and they don't advertise.
FWIW, we took our two birds to Europe with us in the cabin with Swiss (then Swissair) when we moved to Brussels. We had to change planes in Zurich as well, but we had no problems taking them in the cabin (in biz class). Birds generally can't fly in the hold, which is why we went with Swissair.

I'm assuming Beckham isn't a Persian, as any breed of cat or dog with those pushed in faces is at much higher risk flying in cargo (collies and Borzois are also at high risk).

fnarf999

Cats loose outside kill billions -- yes, with a B -- of songbirds every year. They are a significant cause of decline in many species.