By S. Lorentz for About.com

S. Lorentz currently lives in Poland with 6 cats, which she successfully relocated from Canada. Prior to her move, she was a volunteer with the Humane Society in Ottawa and then a foster coordinator with a private group called "Friend of Abandoned Pets."

My husband and I endured many business-related separations over the years, because I did not want to ask my cats to go through the trauma of relocation. However, once children arrived, the picture changed in that I was not willing to be a "single" (married!) mom. When my husband had a job-related move to Poland from Canada, I decided, "The cats would just have to move with us!" Not an easy task, especially when two of the six are "invisible", only allowing themselves to be seen when they so desire.

The first hurdle was to get the entire group to the vet in order to obtain Certificates of Health (at least we didn't have to worry about a period of quarantine in Poland.) This was never an easy task, but I was able to, after a few false starts, get all six cats to and from the vet without loss of tail (cats) or limb (me).

Pack Your Bags, Cats!

Once somewhat recovered, I was able to pack up the house for our trans-Atlantic sojourn. I bought some supplies for the four cat carriers (three of which would carry individual cats and one extremely large carrier for my "Three Stooges" - the inseparable trio who take great comfort from each other).

The carriers were to be lined (to the brim!) with soft litter made from compressed newspaper-pellets and nothing else - no blankets, no pillows, no toys. The litter is comfortable enough to relax on and absorbs huge amounts of liquid; further, there is nothing that the animal can get hung up on or tangled in. Large water containers that drip water when the spout is nudged were securely fastened onto the heavy wire doors of each carrier as well as plastic food holders for dry food. (I knew not to feed the cats their usual serving of canned food on the morning of departure.)

I took the precaution of twisting wire through the already firmly screwed-shut top/bottom fastening holes as well each cage door. I well know the nightmares of losing your beloved companion in the belly of an aircraft.

Leave the Flying to Us

Then I had to take a deep breath and allow the airline to take over. I knew that the cats would be placed in a special hold for animals with the correct air pressure and temperature observed. I also knew where to pick them up upon arrival at the airport the next day and had arranged for a large van meet our frazzled family of tired kids and cats so that we could end the journey as soon as possible.

Still, it wasn't easy to hand my felines over. But after an uneventful nine-hour flight (during which I was sure I could hear my poor babies calling my name!) we were reunited at the terminal and then everyone piled into the waiting vehicle. After a mad dash out of the city and onto twisting country roads, all at breakneck speeds and through absolute darkness, we ended up at our new home - a farm house way out in the middle of nowhere! A wonderful and safe place for cats and children!

Home at Last

Once there, I commandeered a room, set up litter boxes, fresh food and water and opened the carriers. My friends and I had a lovely get-together and I made sure to apologize profusely for their travails (admittedly giving them little treats interspersed with hugs). After the whirlwind of setting up house the next day, the cats were free to roam safely, exploring their new abode. Once about a month had passed and we were into a pretty regular routine, I installed a cat door and allowed the cats access to the yard, fenced not for protection from traffic but from loose farm dogs! Now my once indoor-only city cats play and pounce outside at will, some choosing to laze on the pillowed easy chair (with footstool for easy access, of course).

Moving across the street, let alone halfway across the world, is not easy - but it is do-able. With good planning (and lots of worry, I know!), you and your cats will survive the move - and enjoy the rest of your lives together!

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