My Favorite Cat Carrier

Hello Friends!

2020 has been one heck of a year. Every single person I know at some level has suffered. From the shutdowns, schools closing, job losses, riots, and COVID-19 there’s not much I need to expound upon. But now to top it all off in Oregon, we had massive statewide wildfires that devastated several cities and thousands of homes. The after-effects of these terrible wildfires that hit our state last month have added another level of adversity to an already incredibly trying year.

To all of my dear friends and others who lost your homes in the recent fires, I am so sorry for you and I am praying daily that you will recover from this horrible loss.

The week the fires ravaged through Oregon was nothing short of horrific. My husband was working on the front lines of the fire north of Lincoln City where we live. While that was going on we lost power all week and my fear and anxiety were at an all-time high. I was alone and afraid and all I could hear were constant sirens on Hwy 101 behind my house and I didn’t know what was going on. Lincoln City was evacuated and we ( Gleneden Beach ) could have been next if the fire jumped! Meanwhile, down in Southern Oregon, my brother had to evacuate and my parents were on notice to evacuate with their car packed.

Thank God everyone’s homes were spared and nobody was hurt. However, while I was alone and frightened I decided to pack up my car ( as did everyone else on my street ) just in case. It turned out to be unnecessary. However, I decided I’d rather be safe than sorry. All I could think about was my darling pets and what would be the quickest way to get them out of the house if we needed to evacuate.

I loaded up their food and treats and put Dasher’s cage in the back seat. I also put Grizzabella’s carrier in the front seat so if worse came to worse I could pick them both up, load them in the car, and get the heck out of Dodge!

Again, thankfully, it never came to that…but it was still too close for comfort and very scary. It’s rare when every family member lives in a different part of the state and yet all of us had a fire close to our homes and all of us had cars packed up.

Dasher was ready to evacuate!

Evacuating with pets…

The whole experience made me rethink how I would handle the same situation next time. And it also made me reflect on all the pets and homeowners who were displaced afterward.

For lost pets, the Humane Society and local shelters are the first places to look. Many lost pets are being turned in by good souls just trying to find their owners. And if you adopted your pet from the Humane Society the good news is they can search for the pet through a microchip.

Overcrowded…

I read that many shelters in Oregon were immediately overcrowded with animals and they were and are still asking for temporary foster homes until owners can find and claim them.

My newfound tips for evacuating small pets…

I do not have farm animals or a dog but I do have my cat and rabbit. And I learned some valuable lessons. Emergencies happen. Whether it’s a fire, or hurricane, or any other type of natural disaster, it’s good to always be prepared. When I unpacked the car the next day I put all their food back but I took a few cans and bags and stashed them away so that if I ever have to leave in a hurry again I can grab a small emergency pet bag in a hurry. I also made sure Grizzabella’s carrier and a smaller carrier for Dasher are available and easy to grab. Previously, I had to dig through the garage for these items.

Don’t do that!!

When you’re emotional and stressed out as I was it just makes everything harder. Have those items within arms reach on a cupboard or shelf in your closet or garage.

Worried about your cat freaking out in their carrier??

This is a legitimate concern! One I had to deal with every time Grizzy needed to got to the vet. She hated that horrible thing!! Every time it was a nonstop production of growling, hissing, and whining!!!!!

Then one day that all changed…

I spotted a carrier that was actually meant for small dogs. But I knew it’s what I needed! It’s a soft-sided pet carrier with see-through screens so she can have a 360-degree view. It’s also soft and comfortable with nice padding for your pet to sit on.

What a change!!

I found that she not only did better in it…but she really liked it! The first time I took her to the veterinarian in it she hardly made a peep. She wasn’t mean and grouchy with everyone by the time we arrived and she was actually calm. In fact, when she was given the freedom in the office to walk around she didn’t want to! She was comfortable in her new little travel bag where she could see me and know that everything was okay.

I recommended this carrier to my mom for her cat Isaac, who prior to this new carrier was the equivalent of trying to stick Godzilla in a box. Hence, Isaac hated his old hard plastic carrier as much if not more than Grizzabella did.

My mom tested it out one night and just set it out in the kitchen. The next thing I know I got a text message from her with this picture:

If that isn’t proof that this carrier rocks then I don’t know what is!!

The reason I bring up these soft wonderful carriers is that when I was preparing to possibly evacuate ( and so worried about my pets feeling anxious and afraid in the car ) it calmed my heart greatly knowing I had a wonderful carrier for my terrified little boo. At least that was one thing I wouldn’t have to worry about. I knew if I had to drive down the coast that day to my brother’s house then Grizzabella would be a little nervous…but not a basket case!!

In conclusion, think about having a little pet emergency supply ready to grab if you ever need to. And make sure you have carriers for your pets that will help them feel safe and secure.

I know that Grizzy and Isaac agree with me on that as well!!