Boomer's coming home :)

[sirrahbed]

oh my Thank you sooo much to all of you who have offered Missy help with this cost - I want to cry here. I feel happy to know how much PT'ers love Boomer and have been wanting him to come to America. It is looking like Boomer will stay a PT cat now!!

Phred has been SOOO helpful with all of his calls to Continental and I have made the same calls here, too. What we have FINALLY learned is that Nippon Express does the freight handling of animals for the Tokyo airtport. I do not believe they give people any other option though the language barrier gives us conflicting reports very often. All three of us (Missy, Phred and myself) were given the Nipon Express number by Continental Pet Desk.

I found the flights Boomer will be on. Japan to USA 13 hours, 2 hour layover and then a 3 hour flight - that is 18 hours. Oh I know this will be a long time plus drive time - but it is only once and then no more flying for him. The day for him will be long when we add on drive time to the airport and waiting to be "boarded". He will be in the carrier most all day that he leaves because he has to be there in the morning and his flight leaves late afternoon. The actual drive to Tokyo can be very long too - as long as 6 hours depending on traffic. Hopefully ti will be much shorter.

But, I know kitties can nap all day so it won't be comfortable for him but he will likely sleep most of the time I think. There will be a tracking number for us to see where he is at any time and a 24 hour Pet transport number to call.

Missy found a large gerbil water feeder plus the carrier has two food dishes and will do as Jen suggested for putting the water over a dish so it will catch any drips. Good idea She bought puppy pads to put down for Boomer to lay on.

I am sure she will welcome any other suggestions! I will keep everyone updated about the plans and progress OK? Lots of PT prayers can help him I know I think he leaves on the 14th or 15th- waiting for confirmation on that.

I would also love to have any suggestions as to what to do when Boomer gets here. I know he will be stressed and I want to do everything I can to give him a calm place to rest - thinking I will keep him first in the room where Missy will stay??? Then, he can be sniffed under the door and all?? Should I let him out of his container as soon as we get home? I feel like my crew is very friendly - nobody is aggressive. Everyone is happy. It will be interesting to know how Boomer will react - he has never even SEEN another cat!! I am wondering what my cats will think and who will befriend him. I am guessing that Uncle Dylan will be the first to welcome him. Maybe he will be buddies with my loner kitty Eliot?? Soooo any suggestions welcome!!

[Craftlady]

I would keep him in same room Missy will be staying. I would put carrier/container in the room. Open the container, let him come out when he is ready.
Have a litterbox and all in there with him.
I would think in a day he will be ready to explore.
I've done both ways to introduce. Behind closed doors and just let them out. If I just let them out, they went into a secure place when I left the house.
Eleanor and Cindy were last two do just be let out.
You'll know what to do

[sirrahbed]

Thanks Becky - I also think you are right that the room Missy will stay in is good because he can retreat there if he wants and also - my cats don't go in there very much at all. Also yes, leaving the cage in there so he can exit when he chooses is a good thought.

I have played it by ear with previous cats and it has always worked with no problems. Well.... hissing, airplane ears and spitting aren't really *problems*

Mainly - I am wondering because Boomer will likely be very stressed from the long trip - I am going to try one of those Feliway Plug-ins for him. I want to try anything I can to help him relax. He is very skittish and I have never really taken care of a really stressed kitty like that - and do not really have any idea what to expect of a kitty who has been flying, etc. Then again - we have taken in mostly kitties shelters - many who have been in that tiny cage for who know how long so it is probably similar. And, Boomer likes me for some reason He did not even treat me like a stranger when I went there in June.

Thanks again!

[Craftlady]

Your welcome Debbie.
Another idea just came to mind. Put something of your daughters in the cage (clothing, something she wore that has her scent) that way he will be calmed on the long journey.
Wonder if you all can put one of those fenways in the carrier for the trip? Does it work alone or with electric (as a plug in)?

[sirrahbed]

Becky - the feliway is a bottle of liquid in a gadget like oil-airfreshers that actually go into an outlet. I saw it in cans also - to spray in an area - but I can't mail her an aerosol. Probably would not get there in time anyway. But, I will put the plugin in that bedroom shortly before Boomer gets here.

Missy - something of yours in his carrier sounds great! Tee-shirt?? Maybe a favorite toy also??

[Sirrahsim]

I was planning on putting my pillowcase in there the day that he leaves I'm afraid if I put one of his little Hartz mice in there he would decapitate it and choke on the stuffing...