$1480.00!!! Ally Fundraiser Money update MARCH 1st

[catlover4ever]

Last I remember Ally had been alone for 3 going on 4 weeks. Julie has a sitter than comes in and feeds Ally but other than that she has been alone. I know how much it is breaking Julie's heart.

For the life of my I don't remember how old Ally is...anyone else know?

[jennielynn1970]

I remember reading that now! Lord, I forget everything now! I just turned 37, and already the memory is going on me!

Let's hope we can all pull together and do this quickly for Ally's sake.

[cassiesmom]

I looked at British Airways Web site to see if it would be any less expensive to fly to Bahrain and bring Ally home. Then I looked at Mapquest and discovered where in the Middle East Bahrain is located. It's by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. The least expensive BA flight is about $1,200 and involves a stop-over in London.

Therefore, questions:
what about a military transport? or corporate transport of some kind - I hate the thought of Ally traveling by herself but I don't have a way to go get her. If she makes a stop-over in London, would they require her to be quarantined? What route did Connor take?

[jennielynn1970]

You'd still have to have her fly in the cargo hold. Even my friend who is Syrian said that there is no way that Arabs would fly with a cat, or any animal for that matter, in the regular passenger cabin. I have no idea about military transport. Never thought about that. But not sure how the temp is regulated on those suckers either. Wish we had the ability to "beam her up Scotty"!

[catlover4ever]

I think Connor went through London and because he was just passing through and not staying, there is no quarantine.

The cargo holds on large aircrafts are climate controled to a degree. FAA regulations prohibit a carrier from flying animals at certain times of the year due to temperature.

When I flew for a local airline we did not take animals from November 1 - May 1 due to the small aircraft (36 seats) because our cargo holds had no temperature control. I never told anyone, but when we would carry a cat or dog in cargo, I would go into the bathroom and open the door to the cargo hold....just to check and make sure the babies were OK. Everytime I checked the babies were fine.

Just a thought...did anyone think of posting this over in General...maybe you would get some more people who would donate to getting Ally here...those who maybe don't always come to the cat side? Like I said....just a thought.

[Catty1]

Hmmm...that is a neat idea about a military flight. If one could find a cat-loving soldier who would pay for Ally's "seat" and be reimbursed - or paid up front?

There's a thought!

Anyone KNOW anyone? Julie - you or your hubby? Do you know a soldier in Bahrain that is going home?

[jennielynn1970]

OH! And could he be a SINGLE, HANDSOME, cat-loving soldier too?!! I'd love picking them both up at the airport, lol!!

[popcornbird]

You'd still have to have her fly in the cargo hold. Even my friend who is Syrian said that there is no way that Arabs would fly with a cat, or any animal for that matter, in the regular passenger cabin. I have no idea about military transport. Never thought about that. But not sure how the temp is regulated on those suckers either. Wish we had the ability to "beam her up Scotty"!

That is not necessarily true. The last time I went on Emirates Airlines, there were 3 birds on board with us, with their owners, in the cabin. I'm not sure how they got on board, but they went through security with us, and there they were, right at the seats in front of us. It was about 3 years ago. I don't know if policies have changed, or if they allow some animals in the cabin, and not others, but I know there were birds on board when we flew.

I wish Ally a safe, smoothe trip, and Julie lots of comfort.

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

That is not necessarily true. The last time I went on Emirates Airlines, there were 3 birds on board with us, with their owners, in the cabin. I'm not sure how they got on board, but they went through security with us, and there they were, right at the seats in front of us. It was about 3 years ago. I don't know if policies have changed, or if they allow some animals in the cabin, and not others, but I know there were birds on board when we flew.

I wish Ally a safe, smoothe trip, and Julie lots of comfort.

Were they Falcons Pops? That is the one exception I knoe of with Mid eastern Airlines - because a lot of the VERY rich VIPs here, and royal families are into Falcon breeding, hunting etc, they are allowed on the plane. I think only in 1st class, and they pay for a seat!!

[jennielynn1970]

That is not necessarily true. The last time I went on Emirates Airlines, there were 3 birds on board with us, with their owners, in the cabin. I'm not sure how they got on board, but they went through security with us, and there they were, right at the seats in front of us. It was about 3 years ago. I don't know if policies have changed, or if they allow some animals in the cabin, and not others, but I know there were birds on board when we flew.

I wish Ally a safe, smoothe trip, and Julie lots of comfort.

Birds are an entirely different story. They actually keep them as pets. Not so with cats and dogs. They are considered unclean.

[Laura's Babies]

It is wonderful to see those numbers coming on up there! We are getting closer and closer to our goal!!! C'mon folks, let's get Ally HOME!!!

[sasvermont]

Jenn, how much of the expense is (Julie?) the current owner of Ally, willing to take on. Are you planning on funding it 100% through donations and not ask the owner for a portion? Just curious. Did I miss some part of the problem? Thanks for doing this. It must be exhausting keeping track!

SAS

[rosethecopycat]

I sent mine snail mail and I'm sure it's not counted yet.

[jenluckenbach]

Jenn, how much of the expense is (Julie?) the current owner of Ally, willing to take on. Are you planning on funding it 100% through donations and not ask the owner for a portion? Just curious. Did I miss some part of the problem? Thanks for doing this. It must be exhausting keeping track!

SAS

I am certain Julie will kick in whatever the gap is (monetarily) but her situation (like many of ours) is a very tight budget with many expenses. So please don't think that she does not wish to help pay, but if there are any more donations I know they would be appreciated.

[jennielynn1970]

I am certain Julie will kick in whatever the gap is (monetarily) but her situation (like many of ours) is a very tight budget with many expenses. So please don't think that she does not wish to help pay, but if there are any more donations I know they would be appreciated.

Julie's situation is more than tight, and it's not just monetary. She's in a really overwhelming position right now, between living in a 3rd world country, having issues with the company her husband works for, and her daughter being sick, and dealing with daily living. The move seems to be not what she expected.

Julie will have to fund whatever we can't raise. That was the deal from the get go, so it's not as if she's trying to get out of paying anything. We're trying to help her in this dire situation.

The newest amount she was told for flying ally is $1216.00. It could be more, but she's hoping not. With a new donation, we are currently at $1170.00, which means we are $46.00 away from that amount. We do have to take into consideration PayPal Fees, so the EXACT amount of donations equals $1136.46 ($33.54 in fees). PayPal charges 4.5% basically for transactions. Any checks that were sent incurred NO fees because I can add to the account free of cost. I also got an "e-check" and that did not incur fees either. Not sure how that one was done, but it is a good idea. Fees are a pain, but 5 years ago, this entire PayPal endeavor would not have been possible.

So, basically, we're $100.00 short to have the entire amount, matching the fee figure taken out, to be at the total.

I've been thinking about just donating the fee part back in just to keep it easy.