I am moving across state lines, and in order to do that I have A three hour flight with one transfer. It was either that or a two and a half day car ride. I have an eight-year-old cat who I want to take with me as a carry-on. This cat has been with me for years, she has bonded with me, and I don’t plan on just pawning her off to a random person I don’t know.
However, my aunt who is helping me with the move, thinks that my decision to take her with me is animal cruelty. She said that when I mentioned taking her with me on the flight in a kennel that she thought that I shouldn’t have a pet in the first place. My aunt does not own cats but she’s a former veterinary student. She says it would be more humane to give her to somebody else and that if I take this cat with me to my new home then it’s basically animal abuse. I don’t want to be an animal abuser.
Her carrier is one of those cat backpacks designed to hold animals of up to 20 lbs. it’s got a transparent window, is made of sturdy material, has built-in cushions and mesh as well as built-in holes on certain parts for ventilation. The dimensions of the carrier are 15 L x 10W x 15H. Manda (cat) herself is only 10 lbs. it should be big enough for her.
I have traveled with her before, although it was in the car, During a couple of sideways moves. She has a generally placid temperament and isn’t prone to high strung behavior. She does complain by meowing for a little while when she’s inside of a carrier, but usually calms down after a few minutes and takes a nap. I’ve considered even getting vetoquinol zylkene for her which is a calming supplement made specifically for dogs and cats to decrease her stress levels during the trip. Still, my aunt says that it’s animal cruelty and that if I really loved this cat that I would surrender her to a shelter, instead of taking her with me on the move.
Am I the asshole?