why not put crates into a horse trailer? secure, open for ventilation. just a thought.

 

Good idea about the horse trailer!

Try the move with 3 GSD's and 4 cats!!

I move as a requirement for my job as a Department of Defense Civilian. We move about every 5 years and are very good at this.

The key is being very organized, map your route in advance to include nighttime stops and have reservations in advance. Can you put 3 dogs in the cargo are of the SUV? The kitty should be able to be in a small crateon your back seat.

If all the animals will fit in the vehicle you can rent a small Uhaul to pull or a cargo container to go on your roof rack. If you don't have a roof rack, get one. That can hold your personal luggage and animal supplies.

We use a lot of Sterlite tubs when we move. We make a shallow one a litter box that can be coverd. Animal food and bowls go in one. We use diaposal plastic containers for food and water and just pitch them when we arrive and have our stuff back. We even use them for our clothes that we take with us. They are stackable and go into a trailer perfectly.

We are moving from Oregon to Oklahoma on May 1 ourselves.Thankfully we have 2 vehicles. Hubby will drive the Tacoma with Max in a crate in the bed. He will also pull a 4 x 8 trailer with all our travelling stuff for animals and our luggage. I will have 2 other dogs, Kayos and Havoc, in the cargo area of my Tribeca. I will also have the 4 cats crated on my back seat. All the dogs will go into the Tribeca, but it would be crowded so we will crate Max in the truck.

It can be done.

 

I cannot suggest a transporter but I have done this several times. Once with just one dog and twice with two dogs and a cat. I have always transported them myself. The longest trip was Massachusetts to New Mexico (did it in 5 days) but that was just my dog who was used to traveling with me anyway. The next longest was New Mexico to Wisconsin and that was 2 dogs and a cat and we did it in 3 days (I was driving solo). My animals are accustomed to taking long trips with me so it was perhaps less traumatic than for your animals. That particular trip was stressful for my cat because it was her first long trip but I think she would have been more traumatized on a plane or with a transporter.

I would be particularly worried about your rescue, especially with fear issues. I had a rescue like that and he did best when he was with me. I did not trust him not to bolt even under the best circumstances with someone else.

 

Horse trailers are pretty expensive aren't they? Gosh, I haven't towed anything in about 30 years! I'll check out the prices on used ones. My daughter can use it as she has 3 horses.

I have a divider between the back seat and cargo area - bought it after one of my dogs went over the back seat to get the guy loading feed into the back! They might be better off in the back seat with a harness type seat belt. Still, for comfort and space, one would have to be on the floor.

None of us are used to traveling long distances. I can hear the cat screaming already!

Thanks for your replies!

 

We'll be moving from southern Virginia to northern New York in June. Our dogs will be riding in the cargo section of the SUV (ford Escape) with harnesses on, cats in crates on the back seat. Overnight bags in the back seat. We will be towing a small trailer with needed and breakable items, the rest will be transported by the military.

Have a plan for stopping every so often. Bring doggy bags. Have food and water. Have cleaning supplies in case anyone barfs or poops during the drive. If any of your pets are not good riding in the car, get them used to it NOW.

 

Thought about the food, water and doggy bags, but not the cleaning supplies. Thanks for that suggestion!

 

If you've not driven long distances (more than an hour) with your dogs before, always expect the unexpected.

I had a foster once, Blondi, who had no issues going to and from the vet, to the local park, etc. When we moved from southern VA to northern VA in 2005, we were about two hours into the drive and she started getting car sick. Barfed all over the back of my friend's Jeep. Ughhh. It was unexpected.

The most recent fun car experience we had was doing a rescue transport. Poor dog made it across the bridge 10 minutes from the shelter, then started drooling. Another 10 minutes later, and she barfed over the back of the car. Another 10 minutes later, and she got the runs. You be we were glad when we made it to the vet clinic where she was going to spend the night before going on transport up north. And even more glad the back of the SUV is covered in rubber matting, and the back seats in a nylon seat cover!

 

Gee, thanks Historian! The pet transporter is looking better!

My vet's office is making inquiries for me. I would feel better having a reference than just blindly picking an outfit off the internet. With another person to help, I could probably take them myself, but I can't see it being an easy trip for the dogs or me.