Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties:
My family is relocating to Beijing for 2-3 years. We have two sister cats, Tiger Lilly and Jasmine that are almost 4 years old. We have had them since they were 6 weeks old and they have always been in the same house and neighborhood and are indoor/outdoor cats. We want to do the best thing for Tiger and Jasmine and our family during this temporary assignment. We have two daughters, aged 9 and 10, who are very attached to the cats. The cats are very affectionate and get lots of love from our family.

We don't know if it would be best to bring the cats with us to China or to find another home for them here in Seattle. They would most likely have to stay indoors while we were in China. The relocation process would probably be very stressful for them each way. But we hate the idea of leaving them. We plan on keeping our home and coming back to it in 2-3 years. The cats are quite friendly with many of the neighbors and are even allowed to visit inside many of their homes.

We will be renting our house and the tenants are not interested in caring for Jasmine and Tiger while we are gone. It is possible that we could find neighbors that would watch them for us while we are away. Any advice on what we should do? Any insights would be so helpful!

Thank you,
~Difficult Decision Maker

Siouxsie: Before you travel abroad with your cats, there are both practical and emotional needs to consider.

Thomas: We know that European countries have pretty strict regulations regarding transportation of animals. Any animal traveling from the US to Europe has to have certain vaccinations (particularly rabies) and a certificate of health from the animal's veterinarian stating that the animal has no communicable diseases.

Dahlia: Some countries impose quarantines on animals coming from other nations. This quarantine is typically around six months in length. During this quarantine, the cats may be required to stay at a cattery operated by the government, or perhaps the cats can be strictly quarantined inside your home.

Siouxsie: It used to be that when animals traveled from the US to England, cats would have to stay in a cattery for six months or more, and if the cat showed even the slightest sign of sickness, it could be euthanized. The "pet passport" program has eased this quarantine burden for animals traveling from the US to Europe.

Thomas: We're not sure what the regulations are like in China or other Asian countries, so the first thing you need to do before you bring your cats with you to Beijing is to do your research on this subject.

Dahlia: If you need permits or other documents from authorities, we recommend that you get everything in writing and have this documentation, along with your cats' health certificates and other relevant information, with you at all times.

Siouxsie: The next hurdle would be to find a way to get the cats to Beijing that keeps them safe and healthy. You will have to contact airlines that fly to Beijing and see which ones will transport pets and how those pets are transported. Generally animals fly in pressurized compartments in the cargo hold, but some airlines will allow you to bring your cat with you into the plane.

Thomas: Again, whatever you're told by the airline when you reserve your tickets, make sure you have it in writing! We've seen incidents with people being told when they purchase their tickets that they can bring their animals into the passenger compartment, only to be informed at check-in that their animal companion can't be with them after all.

Dahlia: If you are allowed to bring your cat into the passenger compartment, use a soft-sided carrier (available at many pet stores and luggage stores) and make sure your cat has a leash and harness on, because security officials will want to X-ray or hand-examine the carrier itself and will want you to remove the cat before this process. You don't want your cats running in a panic through the airport as you're trying to catch your flight!

Siouxsie: Because of security restrictions regarding the amount of carry-on luggage allowed, plan your packing carefully and be sure that someone is carrying extra food and "wee-wee pads" to keep the cats' crates clean. And maybe a small bottle of Bach Rescue Remedy, too.

Thomas: Another thing you may want to do before you leave is to have your cats microchipped. That way, if your cats do get lost, anyone with a chip reader can get your contact information.

Dahlia: Make sure your cats' microchips are coded in a format readable in Beijing as well as in the US, if at all possible. And be sure to keep your contact information current. You will get instructions about how to do this when your kitties get their chips.

Siouxsie: That pretty much covers the physical logistics of traveling with your cats. Now we're going to get into the more subtle issues.

Thomas: It's time to think about your cats and their personalities and behavior patterns. Their temperament and bonding pattern will determine whether it would be best to bring them with you or leave them in Seattle with friends.

Dahlia: Are Tiger and Jasmine "people cats"? Are they sociable with you? Do they seek you out when you come home at the end of the day and curl up in your lap as soon as you sit down? Do they sleep in your daughters' beds and chat with you at great length? If so, they are probably more "people-bonded" than "place-bonded."

Siouxsie: If you have been away without Tiger and Jasmine before, has the person taking care of them reported that the cats were pining for you -- crying, expressing disappointment that the people coming in the door were not "their humans," and maybe not eating as well as usual -- while you were gone? If so, they are probably people-bonded.

Thomas: Cats that are people-bonded tend to adapt well to physical changes such as moves -- even big ones like 2-year gigs overseas -- as long as their people are around them. People-bonded cats have learned to see their humans as the source of their safety and comfort.

Dahlia: If, on the other hand, Tiger and Jasmine have complained and acted out of sorts when they were taken away from their home (for example, if you took them with you on a vacation), they may be more "place-bonded."

Siouxsie: Cats that are attached to a place tend to feel insecure and have trouble adapting if they are taken away from that familiar place. Place-bonded cats may not do as well if they're taken away from their home environment. They may prefer to stay at their physical home and be in the company of the people in that location.

Thomas: The three of us are people-bonded cats. We'd go anywhere in the world as long as Mama was there! We get sad when Mama goes away on a trip, and we spend a lot of time sleeping and hiding from whoever comes over to take care of us. Poor Dahlia even throws up!

Dahlia: I have a sensitive stomach. What can I say?

Siouxsie: Your family will want to sit down and have a talk about this issue. If your cats are people-bonded, they'll probably do well if you bring them with you. Otherwise, the kindest thing would be to leave them in the care of trustworthy neighbors or friends until you return.

Thomas: Of course, if you leave Tiger and Jasmine with friends, you'll want to make an agreement about the cost of veterinary care, food, and other incidentals. Make sure your friends know they can count on you to reimburse them for any vet bills they incur while the cats are in their care.

Dahlia: If your friends are well off financially, this money stuff may not be a big deal to them. But we think making these arrangements in advance is a courtesy, and it indicates that you are committed to the care and well-being of your cats even if you can't be physically present.

Siouxsie: Make sure your friends know who your vet is, and give them copies of your cats' health and vaccination records as well. Talk to your vet's office and let them know that your friends will be taking care of Tiger and Jasmine while you're away -- and give the vet their contact information, too.

Thomas: What it really boils down to in the end is what choice is going to work best for the cats. Whether you opt to take Tiger and Jasmine with you or leave them with neighbors, you'll need to do a good deal of preparation to make sure that the cats are okay.

Dahlia: It sounds to us like Tiger and Jasmine may be more people-bonded than place-bonded. So if it's possible to get them safely to Beijing with you, we think you'll all be happier with the cats there.

Siouxsie: We'd recommend that you do online research to find other people who have traveled to Beijing with their cats and what to expect when you get there. You may have a hard time finding the cat litter and food they're used to, for example, so you may want to ship some of those things to Beijing with you. Once you're there, you can gradually accustom them to the locally available foods and products.

Thomas: If, on the other hand, you simply can't get the cats to Beijing, or if your research indicates that there's a high risk of something going tragically wrong in the process of getting the cats there, you'd be better off to leave them in the care of your neighbors.

Dahlia: It's a tough call. But in the end, if you do what's best for the cats you'll all be happier. Good luck to all of you. Please let us know how things turn out. And we'd love to hear what life is like for cats in that corner of the world!

Got a question? Need some advice? E-mail us at advice@paws-and-effect.com. None of the material in this column is meant to be a substitute for regular veterinary care.