Pet Movers

Dude rides the subway in a carrier.

....well I assumed you were going on a NYC adventure.

How about renting a car?

That pet airways thing might be easier to use, but lots of airlines have flight options for pets.

I used NWA to ship my pup here and the agents I spoke with on the phone and that I and the person putting him on the plane at the other end dealt with were are very professional and helpful plus good with the dog. If you google an airline and "pets" you can find some info on it.

At his destination, we just waited in the baggage claim area and he was put in the "large/fragile/live" door. He was a little freaked out, and understandably so after some unexpected weather grounded them in Memphis so he was on the plane an extra 3 hours, but safe and happy to be here.

Good luck--moving is stressful enough with out pets to worry about

I only read about dogs in planes, but I did come to the solid decision that I would not sedate a dog for flying.

You can do some reading, but for dogs most airlines won't even let the dog on if it seems sedated b/c there is concern (but not studies) that sedated dogs do not come out well after flying. May be the same for cats.

Urban Hound might have some good advice:

http://urbanhound.com/houndTalk/heading.asp?id=20

Bklynbound, check with the airline and see what the requirements are.
I once flew with a cat. This was approximately in 1991-92 and before all the strict security measures in place today. I had the cat in a carrier that fit under the seat. I had to buy a ticket for the cat....I think it was about $35 - 45 at that time. What shocked me was they asked me to remove the cat from the carrier to go through the x-ray machine. I explained that it was not my cat, it did not meet me until the day before. I was afraid it would freak and bolt. They did not want to hear anything. I asked for a supervisor, explained my situation (that a family member had died and I was taking the cat back to NY to live). The supervisor examined the carrier from all angles, with a flashlight, and let me go through. I was not asked for a health certificate, though that may have changed. Definitely ask about going through the security check so you know what to expect.

I'm relocating to New Mexico from Brooklyn and I am renting an SUV for my kitties. They went through enough stress in their lives before I rescued them. It would be a shame to put them through even more and without me.

i've certainly seen carry-on cats (in special duffle bags) post-9/11. i'd imagine that, while still stressful for them, riding in coach with you would be WAY less scary for the cats than being in cargo.

Last time I spent much time in airports (December, many many airports), I was shocked at how many cats I saw traveling with folks. It seemed like there was at least one cat in a bag per gate I waited at. It is definitely something I expect airlines employees to be used to now. None of the cats seemed too stressed about everything.

Carmen wrote: I don't know if you could carry on TWO cats or just one, though...

seen it done.