Kats Kits · Farmington, Minnesota
How Kittens Travel to Their New Homes
Kats Kits is in Farmington, Minnesota, but most kittens go home to families further away. There are five ways to get your kitten to you, from meeting Kat at the airport to a flight nanny who brings your kitten to your city.
This page explains each one, what it involves and the things that catch people out, so you can choose the right one before go-home day at 10 weeks.
The Five Ways Home
| Option | Best for | Who is with your kitten | How long |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meet Kat at MSP | Families who fly in, or live within reach of Minneapolis | You | Same day |
| Kat delivers | Families within about an hour of Farmington | Kat | Same day |
| Flight nanny | Families anywhere with a good flight from Minneapolis | The nanny, in the cabin | Usually the same day |
| Airline cargo | Routes where airlines carry pets as cargo | Airline staff | Usually the same day |
| Ground transport | Anywhere by road, and families who prefer not to fly | A pet transport driver | One to several days |
Can Kat Meet Me at the Airport?
Yes. Kat can meet you at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International (MSP), about 30 minutes from Farmington. If you are happy to fly, it is the simplest way home: you fly into Minneapolis, meet Kat and your kitten, and fly home with the kitten in the cabin in a soft carrier under the seat in front of you.
Book your kitten's place with the airline when you book your own seat. Airlines allow only a few pets in the cabin on each flight, and they charge a pet fee. A direct flight home is far easier on a kitten than a connection.
Does Kat Deliver?
Yes, within about an hour of Farmington. That covers Minneapolis, St. Paul and the Twin Cities suburbs, and towns such as Northfield, Hastings and Red Wing. Kat brings your kitten to your door, so it goes straight from her home to yours.
Not sure if you are in range? See the drive times on the Maine Coon kittens near me page, or just ask.
How Does a Flight Nanny Work?
A flight nanny is a person who flies with your kitten in the cabin. The kitten travels in a carrier under the seat, with the nanny the whole way, and is handed to you at your arrival airport, usually on the same day it leaves Minnesota.
It is the closest thing to collecting your kitten yourself without making the trip, and it works for most cities with a reasonable flight from Minneapolis. Kat arranges it with you and quotes it for your route.
Can My Kitten Fly as Cargo?
On some routes, yes. The kitten travels in a pressurized, temperature-controlled part of the hold in an airline-approved crate, and you collect it from the airline's cargo office at your airport.
Not every airline or route carries pets as cargo, and airlines restrict it in very hot or very cold weather, so cargo dates can move in summer and midwinter. Kat will tell you whether it is possible for your route.
What Is Ground Transport Like?
A pet transport driver collects your kitten and brings it to you by road. Drivers usually carry several pets and make stops along the way, so a long journey can take a few days, with the kitten fed, watered and checked throughout.
It suits families who would rather their kitten did not fly, and places that are awkward to reach by air. Kat will tell you what to expect for your route.
What Catches People Out
- Cabin spaces sell out. Airlines take only a few pets in the cabin per flight. Book the kitten's place as soon as you book your seat.
- Carrier size. In the cabin, the carrier must fit under the seat in front of you, and the limits differ by airline. A soft-sided carrier is easiest.
- Health certificates. Most airlines ask for a vet's health certificate, typically issued within about ten days of the flight, and some states require one for a cat crossing state lines.
- Weather. Cargo travel is restricted in heat and extreme cold, which can push dates back in July, August, January and February.
- Connections. A direct flight is much easier on a kitten. Avoid tight connections and long layovers.
- The 72-hour vet check. The health guarantee asks for a vet check within 72 hours of arrival. Book it before your kitten travels; see the kitten contract.
Outside the US?
Kittens can go home to Canada at 10 weeks by the same routes. Australia is possible too, but its import rules take at least six to eight months, so talk to Kat before reserving. Both are explained on kittens by state.
What It Costs
Travel is quoted for your route, because it depends on the distance, the method and the time of year. Kat gives you the figure before you pay the deposit, so you know the full cost up front. The price of the kitten itself is on the prices page.
Getting Ready for Arrival
- Set up one quiet room with food, water, a litter box and a hiding spot.
- Keep the same food the kitten eats now; ask Kat what it is. See what Maine Coons eat.
- Book the 72-hour vet check.
- Expect a quiet first day. A kitten that has traveled may want to sleep and hide before it explores.
Kittens travel to
Questions About Travel
Do you ship kittens?
Yes. A kitten can fly with a flight nanny who carries it in the cabin, fly as airline cargo, or travel by ground transport. Travel is arranged with you and quoted for your route. Kittens can also go to Canada, and to Australia once its import rules are met.
Do you deliver near the Twin Cities?
Yes. Kat delivers in person to families within about an hour of Farmington, and can meet you at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International (MSP), about 30 minutes from the cattery.
Can I fly to Minneapolis and take my kitten home myself?
Yes. Kat can meet you at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International (MSP), about 30 minutes from Farmington, and you carry your kitten home in the cabin in an airline-approved carrier under the seat in front of you. Book your kitten's place on the flight with the airline, as cabin spaces for pets are limited.
How does a flight nanny work?
A flight nanny is a person who flies with your kitten in the cabin, keeps it in a carrier under the seat, and hands it to you at your arrival airport, usually the same day. Your kitten is never out of their sight.
Can a kitten fly as airline cargo?
Yes, on routes and airlines that carry pets as cargo. The kitten travels in a pressurized, temperature-controlled part of the hold, and you collect it from the airline's cargo office. Airlines restrict pets as cargo in very hot or very cold weather, so dates can move.
How long does ground transport take?
It depends on the distance. A pet transport driver brings your kitten by road, often collecting and delivering other pets on the way, so a long trip can take a few days. Kat will tell you what to expect for your route.
Does my kitten need a health certificate to travel?
For flights, usually yes. Most airlines ask for a health certificate from a vet, typically issued within about ten days of the flight, and some states require one for a cat crossing state lines. Kat will tell you what your route needs.
How much does it cost to get a kitten to me?
It depends on where you live and how your kitten travels. Kat quotes travel for your route, so you know the full cost before you pay the deposit.
Is it normal for a new kitten to sneeze?
It can be. Moving house is stressful, and a kitten may have a runny nose, watery eyes or a loose stool for a short time. Anything that lasts more than a day or two should be seen by your vet.
Ask About Getting Your Kitten Home
Call Kat on (651) 463-4780 or email katskitscattery@aol.com. Tell Kat where you live and she will explain the options for your route.