Answer: There are many types of travelling container which are suitable for transporting cats. The main requirements are that they should provide adequate ventilation, be comfortable and be secure. There are two basic designs of the traditional wickerwork cat basket: one is rectangular box with a hinged lid, the other has a curved ‘roof’ and a wire mesh door at one end which allows the cat to see out. Some large baskets, with the lid or door left open, can even double as the cat’s normal bed, which makes it is easier to persuade the animal inside for the journey. However, wickerwork is difficult to clean adequately and the hinges fastening on some baskets are so loose that a determine cat could wriggle though the gap around the lid or door and escape. If you have such a loose-fitting door on your basket, it is advisable to die the door and basket together at a number of points which pieces of string. Some cats even learn to put a paw through the wire mesh door and dislodge the wire pin which, on some models, holds the door closed; leather straps the make a more secure fastening.
Another type of container is constructed of strong plastic covered wire mesh, which also allows the cats to see out and to be seen. Both this type and the wickerwork baskets are very droughty so, if carrying them outdoors in windy weather, the walls should be lined with a stiff paper beforehand. Rigid fiberglass and plastic containers are easy to clean and some have transparent roofs are said which allow the cat to view the outdoor. Whether this desirable is open to discussion; some owners believe that their cats feel more secure inside a totally enclosed container.
Plastic carrying bags with a transparent end panel and ventilation holes, and fastened by a zip, are much cheaper, though rather carped for long journeys. And, of course, a very cheap, though impermanent, carrying container is a cardboard cat carrier, usually obtainable from your vet or from a animal welfare society. This can be re-folder flat for storage and may have a water replant lining but will not survive a good soaking in the rain. Some cats will also bite or claw the cardboard into shreds, especially if you misguidedly enlarge the ventilation holes beforehand. These carriers are therefore not recommended for long journeys.
In an emergency you can use a strong cardboard box with secure lid and some ventilation holes punched in the sides, the whole box securely tied both front and back and side to side with string which passes all the way around. Strong shopping bags with zips are fine for carrying an unconscious cat, but conscious animals are often able to work a paw, or their head, through the small gap which has to be left for the ventilation and to force the zip back sufficiently to escape.
Inside a cat basket a piece of towel or other soft material even a wad of newspaper) can be used bedding, but not a large cushion which will take up most of the space. Newspaper, of course, has the advantage that when its soiled, and this may happen with fear or on a long journey, it can simply be thrown away or burned. In very cold weather wrapped, warm water-bottle could be provide.
Normally food or water should not be placed inside the container; it will usually be spilled and if the cat eats during journeys of more then twelve hours, when the animal contained in the special box or crate. For air travel these container are made of plywood or fiberglass for lightness. For cats they need to have minimum dimensions of 26 inches by 18 inches, and to be 18 inches high (66cm* 46cm* 46cm). They must have a solid, impervious floor and adequate ventilation holes, food and water containers and a toilet tray for unaccompanied travel. Animal baskets or carets should always be stowed away from particularly noisy areas, and whenever possible pregnant cats should not be transported.
At the end of journey the carrying container should be opened slowly, especially if it is of the type which does not permit you to see the cat from outside. Do this preferably in a closed room; in a strange environment, and after the excitement of the journey, some cats will leap out and rush away to hide. On the other hand, some cats may be very reluctant to leave the comparative safety of the basket and will need plenty of reassurance as they are lifted out.
