Commentor Luciamia has offered Shakespeare a home — but she doesn’t have transport. Update from Deb S:
My mom has only a week or two to live, Luciamia is in Baltimore… If a volunteer can make the trip, that will make my life easier. I can pay expenses. I also got medication to calm him during the trip that I can administer in advance…
I’m trying to run back home to Maine for a day to get one of my own cats boarded, the one who vanishes and can’t be found to be pilled. By the time I get home she’ll have been off her meds for over a week. I would like to send Shakespeare on his way first. We need to keep him locked away from my mother because she’s on oxygen and we can’t risk him disturbing anything, I’ll feel better knowing he’s out of the apartment before I leave.
Anyone got some spare time this weekend? Big ask, I know. Best would be if people could do shifts, swapping Shakespeare off at service stops between NYC and Baltimore.
I don’t know if public transit would be possible, if someone were willing to ride down & back with his crate under the seat. Does Amtrak permit pets? Is there an intercity bus route that would work?
Other city-to-city pet transport services under short notice? (I’d donate towards costs here… )
Anybody wants to volunteer, or has information that would help, leave a comment below. Or contact me via email and I’ll forward your message to Deb.
rikyrah
Where do I send transportation money? Willing to help Shakespeare get to his new home.
prostratedragon
Amtrak does allow smaller pets –pretty much any cat— on most routes. There’s a modest extra fee, and if using Acela, only on weekends or holidays, but on regular metroliners any day.
(Btw, it’s refreshing to see a cat at the top of a post that is actually about a cat.)
Juju
I can donate for transportation fees. Could we find a driver like we did for Walter?
WaterGirl
@Juju: What is a drink vet?
Juju
@WaterGirl: autocomplete without proof reading.
WaterGirl
@Juju: I tried to guess at what autocorrect might have done, but I could not figure that one out!
WaterGirl
@Juju: It sounds like this needs to happen ASAP. I would be surprised if any formal arrangements could be made in time.
Juju
@WaterGirl: it was just a thought. You are probably right.
Ceci n est pas mon nym
I can donate Amtrak points to a Guest Rewards account. All I need is the number.
Deb S
Hi all. I am also working in my end to network through a friend to contact someone who does pet transport professionally. I can pay expenses and anyone who helps for their time. The main thing is to get Shakespeare successfully settled in his new home ASAP. Thanks to everyone for caring enough to comment and to help.
Lyrebird
All good wishes to you @Deb S,
and to your mom and the kitty, too!
Lemme just double-check if I understood: are you saying that you do have the scratch to pay the transport, and that you might not have the time or energy to set up a Go Fund Me or anything?
Am hoping things work out very well and peacefully all around, and if you have a cat rescue group or similar in NY or back in Maine you’d recommend we send a few coppers to, I’d say go ahead.
eclare
So sorry about your mom. I hope Shakespeare gets settled in Baltimore ASAP.
Anne Laurie
@Deb S: Okay, sounds like you don’t need donations — just a responsible volunteer.
Fingers crossed!
Deb S
@Anne Laurie:
Correct. I may have a professional (expensive) lined up for Sunday if Luciamia can take delivery. Still working on it.
Kay (not the front-pager)
I’m in MD (DC Metro area) and could rendezvous with someone for the last leg, but I don’t drive at night so I’m not willing to drive all the way up there and back. Let me know if you need me.
tam1MI
Be aware that pets can only be aboard the train for 6 hour trips.
Deb S
Update: Professional delivery person lined up for Sunday, I can cancel as late as 5pm tomorrow. Then it’s a committment. If we get a volunteer before 5 tomorrow, great. If not, luciamia is standing by to take delivery Sunday.
Sab
@Deb S: Would you like transport donations?
Kristine
@Deb S: Good thoughts for your mom and for you.
Deb S
To be clear: no donations are necessary, thank you.
satby
@Deb S: best wishes to you and I hope a gentle transition for your mom. Please stay in touch and let us know how you’re doing.
Major Major Major Major
Yay, furever home located!
MomSense
@Deb S:
I’m not sure where you are in Maine, but would it help if I could go tend to your cats so you don’t have to travel all the way here? Even though I don’t currently have a cat, I’m really good with cats.
lurker dean
unfortunately can’t help this weekend. but best wishes to deb s, hope you get everything done and that your mother has an easy transition.
John G
Very long-time lurker and first comment. I’m NYC area and could cover NJ on Sunday if someone available to hand off to by Delaware border or thereabouts.
rikyrah
@MomSense:
you are good people 👏👏
Lord Fartdaddy (Formerly, Mumphrey, Smedley Darlington Mingobat, et al.)
I could do a leg Saturday or Sunday afternoon. I could do the last leg, from the New York guy to Baltimore, if you still need help. I could do with a day trip anyway.
Searcher
If extraordinary efforts are needed I could step up (I’m a couple of hours north of NYC, so it’d eat my Saturday, but I’ve got next week off so it’s not quite all that big of a sacrifice, and my schedule is such that there’s nothing stopping me from getting in the car now and driving south right now).
Since there’s a driver on Sunday, I suspect such an efforts is uncalled for, but if you need to get driving yourself to Maine today would it be worth finding someone in NYC to watch Shakespeare for a day and divert the professional driver to the new location, so that you don’t need to wait for the pickup tomorrow?
Sis
@Deb S: I’m so sorry about your mother. I’ll keep you and your family in my thoughts.
Deb S
Looks like jackals got this. Two volunteers will tag-team Shakespeare to his new home on Monday. Thank you to EVERYONE for responding and caring!
chris
@Deb S: Yay! Excellent news for Shakespeare! I love these stories.
Sorry for your impending loss, Deb. It’s always too soon.