help me save a kitty

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We have the opportunity to save a cat from a miserable life living locked up in a basement in the Midwest, and transport it to a (sunny!) house in Northern California. These are the things that stand in our way:

a)The landlord. Our lease specifies "birds and fish only", but this kitty is an old, quiet kitty and won't make a mess. He only has back claws, and we have hardwood floors anyway. How to put this best to the landlord, whose partner lives in the house behind us and might well notice if we suddenly had a new pet?
b)Transportation. Upon learning that airlines apparently don't fly kitties anymore, we were dismayed. However, my wife's parents (the current owners of said kitty) are driving out from Chicago to the Bay Area in a few weeks. Could a kitty survive a potentially traumatic four day drive in a car full of our junk? What if he needs to pee or... you know?
c)My allergies. I am very enamoured of this kitty, and want him to live with us. However, his presence sets off both my asthma and eczema. Not fun. Is there anything I could take to remedy these reactions?

HELP.

Thanks.

― adaml (adaml), Sunday, 28 September 2003 17:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Find an understanding friend/neighbour to give it to.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 28 September 2003 17:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Nooooooo!

― adaml (adaml), Sunday, 28 September 2003 17:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Older cats have accidents this is probably what the landlord is mostly worried about. Yr allergies - flonase or clarinex.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Sunday, 28 September 2003 18:01 (twenty-two years ago)

He's 8 years old. Is that old?

― adaml (adaml), Sunday, 28 September 2003 18:02 (twenty-two years ago)

not too much but getting up there. Still i'm sure the landlord is concerned about messes among other things.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Sunday, 28 September 2003 18:05 (twenty-two years ago)

These "messes" can't be cleaned?

― adaml (adaml), Sunday, 28 September 2003 18:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Judging by the state of my friend's house, not if you have carpets.

― N. (nickdastoor), Sunday, 28 September 2003 21:31 (twenty-two years ago)

cat urine is vile and smelly. landlords don't always like dealing with it.

Just ask him/her, offer a deposit. If they say no, then move.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Sunday, 28 September 2003 21:32 (twenty-two years ago)

We've only been here two weeks. But that's a fair point. However, we have absolutely no carpets. And Wendal is very well trained.

― adaml (adaml), Sunday, 28 September 2003 22:06 (twenty-two years ago)

I mean, it depends on your landlord, but basically, explain the situation and ask, like Sam suggested. Offer to pay a pet deposit if you want; some pet deposits are refundable and some are not (so really they're pet fees). But you agreed to a lease that disallows cats and if the landlord wants to stick to that, it's totally their right.

― Chris P (Chris P), Sunday, 28 September 2003 22:16 (twenty-two years ago)

If these people are keeping the cat locked in a basement, are they responsible enough to transport it for four days while making sure it's provided with plenty of water and a place to pee??

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Sunday, 28 September 2003 23:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, it has only been staying in a basement since they moved house and it set off my father-in-law's allergies. They love the kitty, and want him to have a good home as much as we do.

― adaml (adaml), Monday, 29 September 2003 00:15 (twenty-two years ago)

oh ok ... sorry to have suspected any bad stuff! Hope you can rescue it. I would definitely try to bribe the landlord by maybe offering to add more to your security deposit; that was a good suggestion.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Monday, 29 September 2003 00:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Do offer the 'additional money' to your landlord, as well as being willing to sign any additional paperwork.

The cat should be able to make the cross-country trip, but have the critter check-out by a vet before the trip and consider some mild tranqs if the puss is not used to being in the car (also get all of the cats vet records/licenses/proof of vaccinations!). I've been told that it's best to keep the cat in a kitty carrier (may need to start getting the cat used to it several weeks in advance, so he doesn't panic at the new smell and surroundings and enclosure). Take along a litter box, framed in a cardboard box, and be prepared to make frequent stops to let the cat access the facilities. Also, realize that you may need to sneek the kitty into hotel rooms.

The following link is to a site with many links to information on the topic: http://www.hoosierkitties.com/transpcats.htm

Good luck!

― I'm Passing Open Windows (Ms Laura), Monday, 29 September 2003 03:55 (twenty-two years ago)

What everybody said.

― s1utsky (slutsky), Monday, 29 September 2003 06:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Okay.

― adaml (adaml), Monday, 29 September 2003 06:11 (twenty-two years ago)

i can't believe that this pic hasn't been posted here yet!

http://www.chrisroyle.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/monsterkitten.jpg

― Little Big Macher (llamasfur), Monday, 29 September 2003 06:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Be careful not to let the kitty out at rest stops - she could get scared and end up running away. I would try to get a carrier large enough to hold a small litter box as well.

Also, if you need to sneak a kitty into a hotel, it's best to stay at one that has individual entrances to the rooms from the outside.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Monday, 29 September 2003 11:52 (twenty-two years ago)

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