Cat travel?

Brooke,
I am an avid advocate for relocating with animals and am glad to see that you are considering either moving with the kitty or at least leaving it with trusted family members. That said, it is a relatively easy task to move with a kitty (as opposed to a dog) and if you have already secured housing I would encourage you to bring kitty with you.
We flew down here with 3 cats and 1 dog. The dog as cargo and the cats in two separate carry on bags. We received anti-anxiety meds from the vet to administer to the animals one hour before the flight. I must say that the meds did not calm the cats sufficiently and we needed to administer a second dose--so keep that in mind. I don't recall that they charge an extra fee when the cat is in a carry-on bag.
Housing--many apartments here do not accept pets. But, given that you have a cat, I would ask any landlords that have a no pets policy if it is negotiable for a litter-box trained kitty. Cats are usually more negotiable than dogs.
Cats, in my experience, are very resilient and adaptable (when you have blankets and stuff that they are familiar with) and I see no reason why you couldn't bring your cat IF you have housing arranged prior to arrival and plan on staying for more than 4 months. (It may not be a good idea to uproot the kitty for a short stay, if it is just as comfortable with your family).
Whatever you decide, good luck!
Onika
P.S. not sure if you have an outdoor or indoor kitty, but I would suggest keeping it indoor unless you have a good sense of the animals in the neighborhood and/or that your kitty will stay close to the house. Our cats do not go outdoors b/c we have some roving dogs that have killed numerous cats in the 10 months we have lived here.

I noticed it is not uncommon for cats to be killed or injured while outside. It isn't very safe for them, not to mention how many creatures your cats would kill like birds and lizards. I keep my cats in.

Chris,
Ditto to your comment, but sadly the lizard/gecko killing is a problem INSIDE my home. Somehow they find their way inside and my hubby and I try desparately to beat the cats to them and get them outside, but we are not always the faster ones. I know it's their nature, but I hate how they just toy with the creatures. My dog, the world's most fabulous dog, killed a bird 1 year ago...I still haven't recovered. She looked at me so funny when I was yelling at her NO!---She is mixed with Duck-tolling retriever and apparently couldn't help herself, thankfully she hasn't even given a bird a second glance after that day.
BTW, I'll be headed to your neck of the woods, STJ, the 8th of June for a doggy event at Skinny Legs. I'm so excited!

Thanks guys...unfortunatly I have not secured a place to live..that is proving the most difficult task for us.
Onika, how long of a flight did your cats have to withstand? I would most likely be flying from Miami, so that wouldn't be to long. I have had to sedate Bella (my cat) to drive her places..she is quite the howler when she is in her carrier or in the car...it is not a fun noise!
Bella is naturally a hunter, so unfortunatly i think she would have a free for all with lizards or geckos. we actually have a caged bearded dragon right now and used to have two geckos...which she loves to stare at/generally bother.
I am so torn as to this decision....hopefully we can get housing lined up prior to us leaving so that i can bring her with me...it won't be easy to leave her with my mum!
Any other ideas or opinions would be great!!!
Thanks so much!
Brooke

Onika - What time is the doggy event?

--Islander