Basic Requirements for Transport Requests

Night-BeforeImagine Home Transport Request Guidelines

Please read the following carefully before submitting a transport request. These guidelines are in place to ensure the safety of all animals, volunteers, and recipients involved.

🚛 Current Wait Time for Transports

Transport wait times are currently approximately 3 weeks from the date we receive your request.
If you have an urgent or emergency transport need, please email us at Imaginehomeorg@gmail.com and an admin will get back to you to assess how we can help.

⏱️ Transport Duration Limit

We are not currently accepting requests for transports that will take more than 30 hours to complete.
If your transport may exceed this limit, please contact us in advance at Imaginehomeorg@gmail.com.

🐱 Age Guidelines for Cats

We require all cats being considered for transport to be:

  • At least 16 weeks of age

  • No older than 12 years, unless you can provide written confirmation from a veterinarian stating the senior cat is healthy enough to travel the expected duration.

If your cat does not meet these age guidelines, please email us to discuss your situation.

📌 General Transport Policy Notes

These guidelines are for rescuers, adopters, and fosters requesting transport from Imagine Home. Each request is evaluated individually, and Imagine Home reserves the right to deny or cancel a transport at any time if concerns arise.

🔎 SCREENING REQUIREMENTS

Rescuers must provide relevant information to help confirm the appropriateness of the adopter, such as:

  • Number of pets already in the home

  • Verification of vet references

  • Confirmation of a home visit (if applicable)

While we may not disclose all reasons for requests or decisions due to sensitive or incomplete information, legitimate concerns will be shared when possible.

📞 COMMUNICATION

Transport coordination takes time and effort from everyone involved. To help the process run smoothly:

  • Let us know if there are times you’ll be unavailable.

  • Communication may occur via Facebook, email, phone, or text.

  • Confirmation letters will include all necessary transport details and require a response.

  • Please ensure adopters respond promptly to all Imagine Home communications.

Lack of timely communication from rescuers or adopters may result in denial or cancellation of the transport.

🐾 MULTIPLE ADOPTIONS POLICY

To prevent over-adoption or hoarding, our standard policy allows:

  • No more than 3 cats transported to the same adopter per calendar year

  • No more than 5 cats total to any one adopter

We reserve the right to adjust this policy at our discretion, without prior notice.

⏳ URGENT TRANSPORT REQUESTS

A transport is considered URGENT if a cat is at risk of being:

  • Euthanized

  • Sent to a high-kill shelter

  • Released onto the street within 2 weeks

While we will do our best to help, urgent requests are challenging to coordinate—especially those over 100 miles. In some cases, we may post your request publicly and direct volunteers to contact you directly.

📦 REQUIRED TRANSPORT SUPPLIES

Each cat being transported must have the following:

  • Valid Health Certificate (for any transport crossing state lines)

  • All age-appropriate vaccines and testing, including Rabies

  • Flea treatment within 3 weeks prior to transport

  • No active parasites at the time of transport (if found, the sender will be billed for any vet treatment required)

  • Spay/neuter completed unless medically exempt; a 10-day recovery is required after surgery

  • A secure wire crate, size no larger than 24”L x 18”W x 19”H, secured with zip ties

    • Crates must fit in a small car

    • Soft-sided carriers or cardboard boxes are not allowed

    • Each cat must have its own crate, which stays with them for the entire journey

  • A small blanket or sheet to cover the crate during travel

  • 🧳 REQUIRED TRANSPORT SUPPLIES

    Pictured above is an example of a crate setup with a divider shelf — kitties love it!
    👉 Click here to view the crate on Amazon

    🔹 One-Day Transport Supplies

    Each cat must be sent with the following:

    • ✅ Wire crate (no larger than 24” L × 18” W × 19” H), securely zip-tied

    • ✅ Blanket or towel to line crate bottom (comfort + mess absorption)

    • ✅ Disposable litter box and litter

    • ✅ Food and water bowls (preferably sealable containers – dollar store options work well)

    • ✅ Bag of food – same brand the cat currently eats, either in original packaging or clearly labeled

    • ✅ Bottle of water in a resealable container

    • ✅ Towels or paper towels for messes

    • ✅ All medications (OTC or prescribed) – with written instructions

    • ✅ Litter scoop

    • ✅ Kitty wipes

    • ✅ Trash bags – small (for accident cleanups) and large (for litter box disposal)

    Please pack smartly — most drivers have very limited vehicle space.
    No kitty condos, oversized carriers, or excessive extras.

    🔹 For 2-Day (or Overnight) Transports:

    In addition to everything above, include:

    • ✅ Additional food and water to last the entire trip

    • ✅ Anything else you know is reasonable for the cat’s comfort and well-being

    💡 Important Notes:

    • The SENDER is responsible for providing all required supplies.

    • Imagine Home does not supply transport items.

    • Senders and adopters may negotiate reimbursement, but this is up to them — Imagine Home is not involved.

    • Failure to properly supply a transport may result in denied future requests or reimbursement claims.

    📧 Questions about supplies? Contact: transports@imaginehome.org

    🚘 TRANSPORT POLICIES

    🕐 Transport Length

    • We aim to limit trips to no more than two 12-hour days.

    • Remember: if you’d be uncomfortable in a car for that long, so would the cat.

    • Sender and adopter must each drive a leg or recruit someone who can.

    🩺 HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

    We take extra care with at-risk cats, such as:

    • Nursing mothers or bottle-fed kittens

    • Seniors (10+ years old)

    • Cats with FIV, FeLV, CH, or on medication

    💬 Let us know before your request is approved if any of these apply.
    This ensures drivers are qualified and prepared.

    📣 COMMUNICATION & PARTICIPATION

    • Both the adopter and sender must:

      • Actively recruit drivers

      • Stay informed about transport status

      • Respond promptly to Imagine Home communications

    📌 Adopter must arrange the final leg (either personally or through a trusted contact).
    If this isn’t possible, notify us immediately.

    🤝 MUTUAL RESPECT

    • We are ALL cat lovers. Every kitty matters. So do our volunteers.

    • We do not tolerate:

      • Rudeness, foul language, name-calling, or disrespect

      • Hostility toward drivers, admins, or TCs

      • Failure to stay in communication during your leg

    📱 Keep your phone charged and accessible until your leg is complete.

    If a driver or TC experiences disrespect or an issue, report it immediately so it can be addressed.

    🚭 SAFETY RULES FOR DRIVERS

    • ❌ No smoking or vaping during transport

    • ❌ No alcohol consumption

    • ❌ Do not add extra animals unless approved in advance

      • If you have a certified service animal, contact your TC first

    • 🚫 Cats must be:

      • Kept indoors at all times

      • Crated during any movement between car and house

      • Isolated from your own animals while fostering or transporting

    Changes in behavior are common due to stress. Stay in touch with your TC about how the cat is adjusting.

    🚨 ADOPTION OFF TRANSPORT POLICY

    Removing a cat before reaching its designated final destination is considered theft and is:

    • Reportable to law enforcement

    • Grounds for being added to national Do Not Transport lists

    ALL transports are monitored.

    ✅ Check in at pickup
    ✅ Notify your TC when you’ve completed your leg

    ⚠️ INFRACTIONS & EMERGENCIES

    Any of the following will result in removal from the driver list:

    • Disregarding safety procedures

    • Lack of communication

    • Mistreating other volunteers

    • Putting cats at risk

    🚨 If you see ANY issue during a transport (e.g., fast breathing, panting, missed connections, rudeness),
    CONTACT YOUR TRANSPORT COORDINATOR IMMEDIATELY.

    That’s what we’re here for — and why every runsheet includes phone numbers.

    💛 FINAL THOUGHT

    We do this because we care — deeply — about the cats and the people helping them.

    Every kitty is different. Every situation is unique.
    If your request falls outside these guidelines, we’re still happy to talk with you.

    • 🚫 DISCLAIMER

      Imagine Home Inc., including its officers, board members, administrators, and volunteers, will not be held responsible for any illness, injury, or damages incurred during transport.

      📬 Questions? Special Requests?

      Email us at Imaginehomeorg@gmail.com – we’re happy to help however we can.

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