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Since everyone else has ignored this thread I thought I'd throw in my advice because I have, after all, moved 2 cats through at least 6 house moves so perhaps this makes me the authority on the subject.
First, get a cage or proper cat transport box. I don't know about where you are but here in Oz such things can be rented at vets which is just as well because they are expensive and you'll probably never need it again. Unless you are a better engineer than I am don't bother trying to make your own because the cat will destroy it within 20 metres of departure and then you'll have one pissed off cat in a moving car which you are trying to drive and that's never pretty. I'm assuming, since you say it's tame, you'll manage to get it in there without too much trouble. If the cat has a blanket or something for bedding outside, put that in the cage first which will help to keep things calm.
When you get to your destination you really have no alternative but to keep the cat inside for at least 2 days, more if possible. You needn't give it the run of the house, keep it in the bathroom and put a tray of cat litter in there with it. It won't be happy but as long as it has its bedding, food, water and somewhere to ablute it will put up with it albeit grudgingly. If you don't do this it will take off the moment you set it free outside and you'll never see it again. The bathroom is the best choice as there is little it can destroy in there (but the accoustics will mean that you hear it being crabby more clearly) and you can probably hose out any mess afterwards.
Give it heaps of attention during this time. Ocassionally take it outside with you and walk around the space you want it to live but don't let it free. Carry it, hold onto it when you put it down to sniff corners and points of interest. Never let it out of your sight until it has lived there for several days.
When you feel brave enough to let it go outside unhindered, first place its food and water bowls where you intend them to stay and put the cat directly in front of them. Don't feed the cat for 24 hours before you do this and then it will be more interested in the food than running away. Spend as much time out there with it as you can afford at first. Eventually it'll just forget it lived anywhere else and stay with you.
Cats are more attached to people than places but you need to convince them of this! |
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