Originally Posted by Editha

When we flew to Canada in '06 our cats were a very elderly female tortie and a middle-aged ginger and white. The tortie, who died when we were in Canada, was a brave little lady, but the ginger and white is one of the most nervous cats we have ever owned. Nevertheless, when we picked them up at Edmonton airport, she seemed pleased to see us and quite happy.

When we flew back last year, it was with the ginger and white, who by then was 20 years old, and a seven year old male tabbie. The tabbie is part Siamese and nervy.

When we collected them at Gatwick, the ginger and white's behaviour was extraordinary. She clearly knew she had 'come home'. She could probably hear the birds in the hedge opposite the animal reception centre, or maybe it was the smells in the air. Either way her attitude was: 'Nice to see you, but let me get out there and explore!' She was all purrs.

The tabbie was a bit subdued but quickly got over it.

They actually seemed more stressed by the road trip down to Devon from Sussex, a week later. A couple of days after that, the tabbie encountered his first farmyard animals, geese, chickens and pigs. He had a nervous breakdown, and spent the next fortnight hiding in a suitcase and only coming out for meals. But after that he began to adapt.

Originally Posted by Crayon

we would be going to Edmonton with our cat from gatwick to Edmonton, which airline or pet ransport did you use? Got some quotes for like 900pounds, not sure that is what it costs or they quoting me too much

Our cat is now 15years old and we will go in 1-2years prob and I really worry about her already and how she will take the journey coz of her age and CKD she has

Originally Posted by Crayon

Thanks for reply I am pretty sure I am overreacting and I am scared more than she will be. It's just her CKD stage 2 but stabile for now with renal diet Royal canon (hope can get it in Canada too) and hypothyroidism on top of that.

We adopted her year ago knowing all this to give her forever home and cannot think of not taking her as we love her to bits however it stress me out so bad. Thanks a lot for reply.

Originally Posted by the1mag

We lived in Vancouver, Nashville and eastern Canada at various times over the last many years and drove all over with our two kitties from the time they were young. They reacted differently at different times in their lives to the road trips but mostly were fine, sleeping during the day in the car and getting crazy in motel rooms at night. I flew back to the UK from eastern Canada last year with one 20 year old kittie. I was upset that she couldn't be in the cabin with me but then realised that she was actually better off in the hold where she could be in a large carrier with room to move around and none of the noises and distractions of the cabin. She was fine when I picked her up at Heathrow, just hungry, and settled down again in the carrier the next day for the two hour drive to where we were ending up.

Originally Posted by Editha

The flight Edmo AB to London is only nine or ten hours, so short compared with yours.

Originally Posted by BEVS

I'm pleased to read that a 20 year old cat made a long flight back with no ill effects.

My cat is elderly also. The flights would be one 10 hours flight and one 12 hour flight back from New Zealand. I am quite concerned about this should we make this move.

Originally Posted by West_Midlands

That's so lovely to hear you went back to the UK from Canada with your 20 year old Kitty, and that she was fine when you picked her up!

I too wish she could have been in the cabin with us. I'm concerned there will be other animals in the hold with her which could really stress her out.



Oh that's not bad at all! You probably got a direct flight for that?




Yes, it really is reassuring to hear about 20 year old Kitty's coming through strong!

You're a further 3 hours away than us.

Quite a few here have flown back with their senior Kitty's.

Originally Posted by Editha

Gatwick to Edmonton is Air Transat. I don't think there is any other, but Air Transat are also known as 'Canadian Affair'. Google Petsaway, an outfit who specialise in transporting pets with this airline.

A word of warning on Edmo airport. No animal reception centre. Canadians are not hot on animal welfare. Like so much in Canadian life, they are stuck somewhere in the mid-sixties; the pet-shops sell fish in tiny containers etc. There's no guarantee your animals will be given water, even if it is midsummer when you arrive. Get to them as quickly as you can when they arrive. The paperwork takes ages, so one of you should go ahead and make sure they are being looked after.

Also you can't bring any catfood into the country.This is a pain in the arse, because you'll need to find somewhere to buy cat-food in a strange town, while being sleep deprived. That is a surreal experience I'll never forget.

Originally Posted by BEVS

I'm pleased to read that a 20 year old cat made a long flight back with no ill effects.

My cat is elderly also. The flights would be one 10 hours flight and one 12 hour flight back from New Zealand. I am quite concerned about this should we make this move.