well, it's thinking waaaaaaaayyyy (like a few years) in advance, but the reason that we want the soft carrier is ultimately to take him home in the cabin with us when we go back to the states. They say that the cat must be able to stand up and turn around freely- though I don't see how that's possible under an airline seat! I had thought about sedating him, but depending on what airline they stick us on, we may not be able to. I know Continental and several other carriers do not allow sedation for international flights. 16 hours is a looooooong time to have a poor kitty in a carrier, but I'd feel better if I was able to look down ad see him and pet him occasionally..
Brian had to open the carrier to prove it was a cat.
lol, I can just see the Japanese customs people seeing my hissing, rolling, meowing ball of fur and asking me to take him out. Boy would THAT cause a scene