RVing With Your Pet
Have Kitty, Must Travel
By Julee Meltzer
The story of Patches
Yet with all these clear–cut advantages, there are a few issues about RVing with cats that should be mentioned. Take the story of Patches — a female cat that travels around the U.S. in a 40–ft. motorhome. We first encountered Patches while we were staying in a Mesa, Arizona campground. On this particular day, we noticed a woman pushing a baby carriage down the campground road. As she approached us, we were anxious to meet this lucky little baby that had the good fortune to live and travel in an RV. However, instead of a baby, the carriage contained two full–grown calico female cats, nestled comfortably on a blanket. The carriage was securely covered in screen netting to keep the cats in and the insects out.
The woman explained that her two cats didn't take well to harnesses and leashes but insisted on going out for a daily stroll. After pondering the situation, the couple eventually came up with the idea of using a baby carriage to safely take the cats for a walk. As the older of the two cats, Patches radiated a level of confidence that suggested she had long ago become a valued member of her RVing household. Patches apparently adored the RVing lifestyle and looked forward to her daily strolls through the campground each day.
However, a few days later, the story of Patches took a disturbing turn. While transferring the two cats to the RV, Patches had escaped into the surrounding desert. Her family spent several hours looking for her but as the sun went down; their hopes began to fade. The Sonoran Desert is one of the most stunning places on the planet but it's also one of the harshest. By day, the sun is so intense and water so scarce — most warm blooded animals become critically dehydrated in less than two hours. At the same time, the desert landscape is littered with sharp cactus thorns and piercing needles that can immobilize an animal in a matter of seconds.
Then, as the sun goes down, life in the desert quickly becomes a nerve–racking struggle for survival as some of the world's most deadly predators begin their nightly search for anything that moves. As the pitch–black desert landscape fills with shrewd coyotes, hungry bobcats, poisonous scorpions, and deadly rattlesnakes, a small domesticated cat doesn't stand a chance. When Patches' owners sought the advice of the local park rangers, they were somberly informed that if they didn't find her before sunset, there wouldn't be any point in searching after that. The next morning, Patches was nowhere in sight. After two more days of lost sleep and frantic searching, the distraught owners packed up their motorhome and drove off.
In spite of heartbreaking stories like this one, we'll always travel with a few cats. In truth, they're great company. Besides, in most RVing situations, cats are simply easier to manage than dogs. After all, most campgrounds don't even have rules about cats. However, if you really want to keep your cat safe while RVing, there are three important facts to keep in mind.
1. Given the opportunity, most cats will try to escape
If the opportunity arises, your cat may decide to leave your RV in order to explore the surrounding environment. That's why it's imperative that you make sure there is no way your cat can escape. Make sure all of your windows have screens. Look under your cabinets and your dashboard for concealed escape routes to the outside. Install springs on your screen door and check to see that the door is latched at all times.
Two years ago, we took in a stray kitten that had stowed away on the chassis of our motorhome as we drove across the State of Texas. We first noticed her at a Wal–Mart parking lot and found it odd that she suddenly appeared again at a gas station 300 miles away. After taking her in, we soon became enchanted with this little stow–away we eventually named Rosy. She was one of the brightest and most delightful cats we had ever met. Yet one night, Rosy somehow escaped. As it turned out, she had discovered a hidden opening to the outside underneath the bathroom vanity where the drain pipe ran to the RV's wastewater storage tank. It was a small opening but adequate enough for a small, curious kitten. That night, using a flashlight, we saw her crouching under the chassis where she had stowed away months earlier. Out of reach, we had no choice but to wait until she came out on her own. We tried to coax her with a plate of her favorite food but by morning, she had disappeared for good.
2. When cats get scared, they'll usually run off
Because cats have many natural enemies, they tend to be skittish. If your cat becomes startled for any reason, they may try to run off. This scenario leads to more lost cats than any other. Since most cats escape while being moved to and from a vehicle, consider using a cat carrier whenever you transport your cat. Put them in and take them out (of the carrier) only when they are safely inside.
If you're traveling in a car or a truck with a cat, keep them in a carrier at all times. In the event of an accident, medics will typically open the door of the vehicle to assess the condition of the occupants. When this happens, most cats jump out of the vehicle and run off, only to become lost or killed by a passing vehicle.
3. The world is a very dangerous place for cats
Because domesticated cats are relatively small, lots of wild animals see cats as prey. Observe any cat outside and you will see how cautious they are about every thing they do. We occasionally see RVers that let their cats run free around the campground. We've seen other campers that leave their cats unattended on a leash. While these RVers, in all likelihood, love their cats, they don't fully comprehend the dangers they're exposing them to. If you want to take your cat outside, use a crate or a screen house with an attached floor. Use a pet carrier to transport them. Some cats can adapt well to a harness and a leash but they should never be left unattended. If you have a cat that has been de–clawed, leave them inside. If they accidentally escape, they'll be unable to defend themselves. Last but not least, if you're staying near a busy road, be extra careful about keeping your cat indoors. That's because the greatest threat to cats has always been and always will be moving vehicles.
Make safety your priority
As it turns out, most cats genuinely enjoy RVing. They like to see new places and they can adapt well to small environments. Furthermore, if you're a snowbird — your cat will be able to benefit from the same warm weather that you're enjoying. That being said, when it comes to RVing with cats, the main priority should always be their safety. If you're careful and follow some of the suggestions in this article, all of your stories will have happy endings.
Epilogue
Speaking of stories, there's a little more to the saga of Patches the cat. After driving for two days, the couple ultimately turned around and went back to the campground for one last look. It seems that the woman had been crying the entire time so her husband felt he had to do something. Unfortunately, they couldn't return to the same site they stayed at before because another RVer had pulled into the space. As a result, they had to park their motorhome a quarter mile away. Turns out it didn't really matter. The following morning, they awoke to find Patches sitting on the steps of their RV. She was hungry and tired, but otherwise appeared in good shape. Everybody wondered where she had been for those five long days and nights but so far, Patches isn't talking.
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