JanShanghai:

Yes, Lucy survived her week in quarantine.  It was harrowing and ridiculous.  AS IF my cat, inspected by vets and officially documented by Plants n Fisheries etc in Canada (a government body)...as if she is less healthy than any animal in China!!

She came back healthy, with very shiny fur.  They may have washed her while in quarantine, which makes me laugh just thinking about it.  However, she has one canine fang broken in half and one front claw torn off too.  So...she may have put up a really heavy fight wherever / whenever the case. 

The scary part is signing the "we're not responsible if your animal dies during quarantine" document when you drop her off.  THAT was horrible.  What a terrible week.  No sleep.

JanShanghai:

Thanks so much.  I searched taobao also, and there is Ever Clean and Scoop Away, but which are excellent.  But when my Chinese friend tries to order it says "out of stock" or some kind of problem.

I will have to ask someone else to help with a taobao order, because I think it can be done that way.

I was hoping someone could tell me they had found these heavy duty brands at Carrefour or some kind of supermarket in Shanghai.  All I see in stores and vet clinics is the crappy "sawdust" style which does no clumping or helping with odor. 

If someone can just tell me what they use and with what success that would be great.  In the meantime my apartment is reeking and my cat is pissed off. 

JanShanghai:

That was the best video i've seen all year!!  Thanks for making my day.

CATS RULE

icnif77:

   My cat was very particular at sort of litter sand. If I would get other trade mark, she would piss beside the litter box! B(l)itch! LOL

JanShanghai:

Lucy's travelled over the Pacific in a soft-cover carry case, that fits nicely under the seat in front of me, TWICE now.   She is mostly silent during the trip, either because when she's scared, she doesn't meow (like most cats).  When I get her in the taxi, she lets loose with the meorwwwsss.

Anyway, no, there is no pee and poo issue.  Cats are able to hold it for 24 hours if they want to.  Plus I don't feed her the day before and give her minimum water.  She makes out fine.  Nobody, even the person next to me, even knows there's a cat on the airplane. 

At intervals I stick my hand in and give her a pet.  For most of the 12 hour flight I'm sure she's curled up sleeping. 

The most terrifying part is when I have to remove her during the Xray - inspections process.  They insist on checking the case without the animal inside.  THAT is scary because if she bolts, that's it.  But she stayed in my arms (shaking, but quiet) both times. 

Love her.  I'm so glad to have her back in China with me where she belongs.  I tried to rehome her in Canada before I left.  I chose the WRONG person, to make a long story short.    Lucy has been through hell and I intend on spoiling her for the rest of her life from this point on. 

But let's remember something...cats are tough.  Lucy was born on the mean streets of Korea.  She can take alot.

JanShanghai:

Oh, the cost was $150 from interior BC (Castlegar BC - Vancouver - Shanghai) on Air Canada.  Lots of paperwork needed on the China end when you arrive.  And, of course, the ridiculous and horrifying quarantine week.  That costs an additional 2000yuan.  So altogether, about $500 to bring a cat from Canada, travelling in-cabin under the seat.

Putting your pet in cargo costs more and is more dangerous.  But if you have a bigger animal than 10 lbs, you have to .   What a stressful flight that would be.  Lots of crazy bad stories out there about pets arriving dead / injured in cargo...

TedDBayer:

I get house sitters for my pets, that hasn't worked. The first time, when I came home ,my house was destroyed, really, and one cat had died, never taken to a Vet. Last time the sitter brought their dog which I had forbidden, it nipped one cat, it died of a massive internal absess.

I know pets die, the heat sitting on runways is bad news. Worst story, during 911, all pets in grounded airplanes died, they wouldn't unload them. 

 Keep your cats claws trimmed so it can't get the best of you.

What airline did you use? I had a permit for shipping cats before with WestJet, cargo is expensive.

JanShanghai:

I would NEVER put Lucy in cargo.  It's not worth the risk.

I flew with Korean Air from Korea a few years ago with Lucy, with almost zero problems.  I flew with Air Canada recently, with few problems too.  Seems for the most part, people really want to accomodate you when you have an animal.  I got bumped to business class with Lucy on the long haul to Shanghai (Air Canada).   Things only get complicated when you arrive in China.

I left Lucy alone at home (in Shanghai) for 5 days while I went home recently.  I had a friend come check on her.  She was fine.  I have left her in a cat hotel before during holidays, in Korea.  It was just too traumatic for her and too much trouble.

That's why I like cats. They can hang by themselves with relatively no trauma / sadness.   You can't do that with dogs.  Even better if you can have two cats.

I also have a friend who left their beloved cat at home during their vacation, under the supervision of the ayi.  They came back and it had "jumped" out the window to its death....hmmmm. 

sorrel:

great to hear you solved your problem

it is rare we get to hear the end of the story here 

Scandinavian:

175....brrrr, that is pricey, how long does such a bucket last ? 

JanShanghai:

It lasts me about two months or so, so I don't think it's too much. 

I pay gladly for the convenience and odor-fighting of quality litter.