Memphis to Nashville to DC or Philly KItty Rescue Transport Ideas? Help!

[bettyellen]

Okay, this is nutty i know, but i'm adopting two cats from a rescue in Memphis, TN that the owner has to give up by september, i thought i'd be able to, but there is no way now i can do the whole drive all by myself. there are these groups that assist in rescuing by getting people to volunteer to do a leg of a trip with the cats and pass them off to someone else.
the group that's trying to help is having serious problems with the southern parts of the trip. tenessee is one long state, and that's one leg i'd be scared to drive all by myself. after that it seems like it's all very rural lonely driving and the idea is freaking me out.
any ideas or suggestions where i could dredge up some help... any group of truckdrivers or travellers who normally do part of this trip anyway that i could contact, i'd be really grateful to hear about.
i live in northern NJ, i'm figuring i can do as far as virgina, dc or philly by myself without taking off too much work.
any ideas or help or route suggestions/ tips would be great!!
i know it's crazy, but i'm in love.

[RebelOne]

1. I do pet transports occasionally from the Atlanta area.

Go to YahooGroups.com. Sign up with them and then do a search for Pet or Animal Transports or Rescues. You can post to them and probably find some drivers. Also go to the States Forum and post at the Tennessee one.

[bettyellen]

4. I posted in Tennesse, and have a listing on the crex railroad, LOL!

i'll go look for others. i just tried a siamese group too, because they are in virginia, and as you can see one of them maybe crex, but she's a bit siamese too.

[Lorien]

2. I've shipped cats via Delta

only problem is that they won't ship during days when any area along the route is over 85 degrees, so that's a problem right now. Have you tried posting this in the Tennessee forum? Perhaps you would have some volunteers there. :shrug:

[bettyellen]

3. lately? i thought they stopped the service. unfortunately a lot of data

came out about how many cats get sick and die, that the rescue people won't go for that. i found a page that linked to all the airlines pet services and everypage it linked to was down!! weird.
there is a (small plane) flying rescue group i'm getting in touch with, Flying Paws. they did a Nashville to DC leg once, so i am hoping for that. Less stressful for the kitties than 18 hours in cars.
if only i could get away with two carryons, i'd fly myself.

[Lorien]

5. Last time I used their service was around New Years, 2004

I flew Puck (the tabby in my sig line) from CA to FL. She arrived happy and energetic, and the Delta personnel all carried on about how sweet and endearing she was (all guys-it was funny, they were MUSH around her)! I think that summer is a much more dangerous time to fly a pet, though. Here's a link to the Delta page:

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/special_travel_needs/pet_travel_information/pet_requirements_restrictions/index.jsp

I'd love to know about Flying Paws, if you have a link.

[bettyellen]

6. thanks! i heard they used to have desk to desk service.

and it was the best to use. and they fly newark to nashville which would be awesome. i just don't know if the rescue place will go for it. i've sent them money to neuter the gals and a minor hernia repair for one and it's caused a bit of a hold up. i think they'll be done in two weeks. i'm wondering howw long it takes the hernia to heal and be travel ready though. so it maybe early septemeber.
the rescue lady told me she had heard of someone doing flying rescues, and it took a lot of searching, but i found them:

http://www.flyingpaws.org/Information%201.htm

the site is slow and the application is all hardpaper stuff, so i have to print this thing and mail it to the rescue place to fill out. i'm crossing my fingers!

[peacebuzzard]

7. BettyEllen, I may be able to help you.

Is Newark NJ close enough for you as an airport? The cats are in Memphis? They look huge. Do they fit in carryons? I fly all the time from TN to the NYC area and we could fly together one day and carry the 2 cats. PM me if you want to try the flying thing.

[bettyellen]

8. Omigod, really?

I am soo close to Newark.
That's the problem. You can only carry on one cat at a time! Brilliant!
tks. i'll PM you.
i just read your profile and had a heart attack.that i could be so lucky to find you!

[livinginphotographs]

9. I'm in Virginia, I could get you through the state.

If you still need the help. It'll have to be a weekend, and I'll need some notice, but I wouldn't mind at all. Just PM me if you're interested.

[bettyellen]

10. UPDATE: They are here with me!!!

Countless thanks to the amazing Peace Buzzard for that!!!!
Unfortunately they are squabbling a bit over who gets dibs on me, but we will work it out.
Very sweet girls, I named them:
Caindy for DU friends Cindy + Andy, plus it's sweet and southern...
and Sweet Penny, Swee P for short! They are very dear gals.
Thanks everyone, for your thoughts, suggestions and offers to help. I am endebtted to you all!
B

[IndyOp]

11. Post new pics when you can --

Pets always get more beautiful when surrounded by love!

:loveya:

[Is It Fascism Yet]

12. Driving through Tennessee is no more scary than driving anywhere

else. Really and true. I am a grandmother and I drive coast to coast all by myself all the time. It's a long drive, and an expensive one, but not scary.