Need Reliable Animal Transport, KS to OR, for TV Show

[earthkitty]

Weird situation...we are moving from Kansas to Oregon the first week of June, to do a self sufficiency TV show for Discovery/TLC. Arguments as to whether or not I am crazy aside, we need to transport some dogs and cats. I am in desperate need of recommendations!!

We will be transporting seven cats and eight dogs. The dogs are two 20 pound terrier mixes, one 80 pound elderly Lab on heart meds, two 100+ pound Anatolians (intact), and three of their puppies born 4/12/14.

And and all input is appreciated!!!!

[KIT.S]

Well, cool! I have no suggestions for shipping your animals, but glad to hear about your TV program. Where in Oregon are you going?
Can you just stick them all in a van and start driving?
Kit

[Wolf mom]

Recently read a great book about a couple that had a rescue for elderly dogs and after viewing many options, flying, commercial animal haulers, etc. decided to rent 3 large RV's. They had 28 elderly dogs and were moving from LA, Calif. to Maine!! For "potty" breaks, they used an electric fence.

Really a heart warming book with many of their friends volunteering for the road trip. They used 2 drivers per RV.

You might consider renting an RV...

[earthkitty]

Originally Posted by KIT.S

Well, cool! I have no suggestions for shipping your animals, but glad to hear about your TV program. Where in Oregon are you going?
Can you just stick them all in a van and start driving?
Kit

Kit, we will be in the valley as well.

Since it is a three day drive, or so, I think it will be less stressful for everyone if we can have someone else move them. We discussed buying a livestock trailer and hauling it, but it is quite a drive and hubby feels the animals will be more stressed that he wants, while riding in a trailer for so long.

[earthkitty]

Originally Posted by Wolf mom

Recently read a great book about a couple that had a rescue for elderly dogs and after viewing many options, flying, commercial animal haulers, etc. decided to rent 3 large RV's. They had 28 elderly dogs and were moving from LA, Calif. to Maine!! For "potty" breaks, they used an electric fence.

Really a heart warming book with many of their friends volunteering for the road trip. They used 2 drivers per RV.

You might consider renting an RV...

We have thought of that too! It might end up working out that way. Riding inside would be better than in a livestock trailer, certainly.

[Brighton]

I would rent an RV, they will all fit in it, and you can sleep in it too!! The cats can have access to a litter box and you can stop and walk the dogs when ever you want.

[bluemoonluck]

I drove 2200 miles from VA to UT when I moved out there with 6 dogs and 2 cats, all in a mini van with the rear seats stowed (love stow-and-go!). I put the cats into a large crate with a litterbox in the back, and put that crate in the middle because I didn't have to worry about letting the cats in/out of the van to go potty. I had room for 2 crates facing each side door and 2 crates facing the back door (so 6 crates) for my dogs. It was a 3-day drive, and it was 3 very long days LOL, but it worked.

I can understand you not wanting to do it that way, but based on my experience you're going to be charged somewhere in the range of $200-$400 per animal if you use any kind of commercial transport. And your pets are STILL going to be sitting in a vehicle or on a plane for a significant amount of time.......

[65284]

[QUOTE=Brighton;7074302]I would rent an RV, they will all fit in it, and you can sleep in it too!! The cats can have access to a litter box and you can stop and walk the dogs when ever you want.[/QUOTE


Not trying to offend you, but. No how, no way would I drive that far with 7 cats loose in a rented RV, no guarantee they would use a litter box. It would be bad enough if they were crated but that sounds to me like a sure fire way to lose your deposit and maybe have to pay extra for the inevitable stains and stink. If a rental agency knew that was planned I doubt an RV could be rented.

I'm sure all of the cat lovers here will hate on me for saying it, but cats create an abominable stench, to me it would be unbearable in that small space. Possibly some folks with impaired olfactory senses could sleep in an atmosphere like that, not me, nor I suspect, most folks not cat lovers.

I'm quite familiar with the carnage cats create. In violation of the rental contract one of our renters sneaked several cats into one of our properties. It was AWFUL We had to replace sheet rock, woodwork, and carpeting. I had to sue them to recover the expense of the renovations.

Then there are 8 dogs, an elderly lab, 2 huge Anatolians and the rest of the assortment proably not used to being confined in a moving space. All of them nervous.

I'm sure I have heard worse ideas, but not lately.

[Wolf mom]

[quote=65284;7074594]

Originally Posted by Brighton

I would rent an RV, they will all fit in it, and you can sleep in it too!! The cats can have access to a litter box and you can stop and walk the dogs when ever you want.[/QUOTE


Not trying to offend you, but. No how, no way would I drive that far with 7 cats loose in a rented RV, no guarantee they would use a litter box. It would be bad enough if they were crated but that sounds to me like a sure fire way to lose your deposit and maybe have to pay extra for the inevitable stains and stink. If a rental agency knew that was planned I doubt an RV could be rented.

I'm sure all of the cat lovers here will hate on me for saying it, but cats create an abominable stench, to me it would be unbearable in that small space. Possibly some folks with impaired olfactory senses could sleep in an atmosphere like that, not me, nor I suspect, most folks not cat lovers.

I'm quite familiar with the carnage cats create. In violation of the rental contract one of our renters sneaked several cats into one of our properties. It was AWFUL We had to replace sheet rock, woodwork, and carpeting. I had to sue them to recover the expense of the renovations.

Then there are 8 dogs, an elderly lab, 2 huge Anatolians and the rest of the assortment proably not used to being confined in a moving space. All of them nervous.

I'm sure I have heard worse ideas, but not lately.

Sheesh!

Ever think the cats can be crated in an RV with a litter box just like BlueMoonluck said?
Actually, they'd probably be calmer as their owners are nearby.

I'm planning to move across country and will take my animals on mini trips before to get them used to riding in a car together.

Your bad experience with cats in a rental is, I think, the exception rather than the rule. Most cat owners are more responsible. Sounds like the cats weren't trained, had no access to a litter box or it was never cleaned.

BTW: I've had multiple rentals and many cats. Never had your problem.

[Brighton]

[quote=65284;7074594]

Originally Posted by Brighton

I would rent an RV, they will all fit in it, and you can sleep in it too!! The cats can have access to a litter box and you can stop and walk the dogs when ever you want.[/QUOTE

Not trying to offend you, but. No how, no way would I drive that far with 7 cats loose in a rented RV, no guarantee they would use a litter box.

You didn't offend me, you couldn't, I don't know you. I drove with 4 cats and three dogs from near Helena, MT to the middle of Florida, in an RV. The cats were not free ranging I had them in a huge dog crate, like one for a 200 lb dog, with litter box, food and water, they were fine. The dogs free ranged, but mostly they just laid around and slept while I drove.

[Awnry Abe]

Originally Posted by earthkitty

And and all input is appreciated!!!!

I'm taking you at your word.

As this is a self-sufficiency TV show, I'd suggest the freezer/generator combo. And probably a meat grinder for the lab. The ratings would soar and you would be Drudge-Report-Famous.



(...DD tells me: really make sure they know you are kidding...)

[copperpennykids]

There are special small transporters out there. Had a gal take three goats for a customer (from Idaho) to Oklahoma for about $800.00. The price generally goes down for each successive animal.

Good Migrations is the name of the company. Very nice, handled everything in a timely manner.

[KIT.S]

Well, here's a CL ad from today from Salem, Oregon. I can't recommend them, never had any contact with them, so don't know. You'd have to do your own due diligence, but at least there are people who transport around here.
http://salem.craigslist.org/grd/4444109161.html
Kit