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I'm allowed to bring the cat with me on the City Bus in Kitchener, and the GO train. The only part of the trip that I cannot, is from Toronto to Ottawa. The only reason I even thought of the train, is because I'm going to be visiting my mother for Easter anyway. I figured I might as well see if I can bring home the kitten with me.

I don't even have a license and I wont be able to convince my Breeder to drive 533/331 miles each way. That's over 10 hours of driving. For the luggage car, I don't know what it looks like inside really. I just got whatever pictures I could find on Google Image, and I'm pretty sure they would have the pet/pet's secure. I've heard of people checking up on the animals during the trip, so I might be able to do that. As for flying, unless it takes 6 hours from the time you bring the pet to the airport, and the pet is brought into the Ottawa Airport, then I don't think it would be quicker.

The breeder does ship out the cat's, but it's at a $200 cost roughly. However as I mentioned, train or plane it's going to be stressful for the kitty. At least with the train, I'm right there to get her from the train. She doesn't have to wait in a crowded airport. Both however, have their Advantages and disadvantages. I do have a breeder only about a 1 hours drive from my place. However, it's quite the price difference. She is asking $400 min more then my breeder, and if I take away shipping cost then it goes up to $600. I've done my homework on my breeder and she has been a breeder for several years with no issues. I've seen parts of her home via some You Tube Video's and it's looks very nice, and clean.

I've already bought my train ticket, with bringing the kitten home with me in mind. The train had a seat sale, and Sunday was the last night so I had to jump on it. People travel with the pets on Via all the time. I'll see if I can get more info on the car, see what the temp would be like. The noise level etc etc.

EDIT: I got this from the VIA Rail Pet Policy. " On Toronto – Vancouver, Montréal – Gaspé and Montréal – Halifax trains, you are permitted to occasionally visit and tend to your animal during the trip when you are accompanied by a VIA Rail employee. Please contact your Service Attendant immediately upon boarding to discuss a schedule for visits. Please note that this schedule will be subject to normal train operations. Should train operations be affected in any way, every effort will be made to ensure you can tend to your animal.

On several trains, you are permitted to visit your animal during the trip when you are accompanied by a Service Manager."

Do you know if the train carriage that they will travel in is heated? If not, a small kitten could suffer as trains are cold. It is also far noisier on a train than in a plane so the stress may be quite a lot on a young kitten.

How old will they be when you collect them? This will have a big issue on how they cope with the noise, stress and temperature.

Also, do remember that you will not be familiar to your kitten so you visiting them may not make them any happier.

How long is the whole journey for them? From breeder to your home?

Does the breeder know your plans? I ask because i am sure they would want to know and i wouldn't want it to cause you problems with the health agreement.

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Lollo

I think the cat will be fine
I've flown with my cats, with them in the hold section of the plane and they coped just fine.
Alex flew from London to Australia - that's over 24 hours and he's still kicking

I'm going to say it because everyone else has thought it, but been too polite!

If you're that worried about saving $150, should you even be buying a Bengal?? They are expensive cats to purchase, require good quality food, good quality toys and lots of your time!

Have you looked at coach connections for the part of the trip that requires travelling in the baggage van? Calling it OK because it's a stripped out passenger van doesn't get away from the fact that no-one will be there to make sure the kitten is safe and well, and not actually terrified!

I shall sit back and await the blast with interest.....

OP I Googled and it's about a 5 hour drive from Ottawa to Kitchener is that right? Can you do some serious bribing? Convince a friend with a car (or one who can rent a car) to come to your Mom's for Easter? Promise a fun road trip and good night out in Toronto over the long weekend or something !

Then you can simply bring the cat back in the car, which would be the best option.

This suggestion is a bit out there but you never know........

Is there anyone in Ottawa or area picking up a kitten from the same litter?

I actually did this for someone else when I got Pippa my tonk from her breeder. A week before I was due to pick her up the breeder called me and said there was a girl in Ottawa who had lost her ride and couldn't pick her kitten up and could I pick it up and deliver it to her. At the time I still had transportation so I agreed. It meant I had to go meet the girl first and get her money to pay the remainder and get her carrier, of course there had to be a great deal of trust on both sides.

We got home late at night with 2 kittens and the next day arranged to meet her in Ottawa where she was overjoyed to receive her beautiful baby.

Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable being on the other side of the deal - the one waiting for the kitten. Like I said it's a bit out there but is a possibility.

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The little monsters 3

ugh I give up, I'm not going to keep posting on a forum that's on a witch hunt, and coming really close to accusing me of damn well animal abuse. Also, I've already gave my deposit, so unless you are willing to give back that $200, then I'm committed to buying the kitty. So with that, I'm out.