Outdoor Feral to Indoor Cat...From 7 hours away

I'm bringing a feral cat into my house, but it's a bit complicated. Kitty is a young male (not sure exactly how old) who lives in my boyfriend's parents' yard two states away. He's very friendly, but he's never been inside. He gets along very well with boyfriend's dog, who is an indoor dog, but gets to go outside to play a lot.

My boyfriend's rental does not allow indoor pets, but I've just bought a house, so we are going down to his parents' about a month from now to bring the dog back to my place, and we've decided to bring the cat along as well. I've wanted a cat for some time, and this is one who needs a home and also gets along with the dog for sure. So here we come to the question.

Because kitty is two states away, there is no way to bring him in gradually. I'm also not sure if boyfriend's parents are willing to help by setting out a carrier, litter box, scratching post, etc. Based on what I've heard thus far, probably not. So I'm faced with going down there, putting the cat in a carrier, taking him for a 7-hour drive, and then having him indoor in a home he's never seen before.

Once he's here, I've got space for a cat sanctuary, and I can do litter-box training etc. He'll also have the company of the dog, who will be familiar to him. But I'm very concerned about the initial pickup and trip. Any advice?

If possible it would be great if your boyfriends parents could start feeding him in the carrier ( door tied open) so he gets used to it.  You do not want to get there and have problems getting him into the carrier that causes him to run.  I would get a carrier that is a bit bigger than you need ( more medium dog size) and start feeding him in it.  Make sure once you have him in the carrier you don't let him out.  Then cover the carrier with a towel or sheet.  Keep his food intact that morning to a minimum so he doesn't get sick in the car.  Be very careful while traveling that you do not try to open the carrier as you don't want him darting out.

Once to your new home, be sure he has a room of his own for a while.  It should be completely cat proofed.  Make sure that he cannot hide under beds or behind large furniture.  Be sure windows are tightly closed and blinds are out of the way too.  Be prepared for him to do his best to get out of the room.  Do have a safe place for him to hide such as a hiding box in a cat tree or even a small cardboard box with a cozy blanket.  Visit him often so that he gets used to you.  You can also play a radio for him 24/7 to get him used to sounds.Do have 2 litter boxes to start with.  Some outdoor cats do not like to pee and poop in the same location.  YOu might want to get some Dr. Elsey's litter attract.  It works very well in attracting cats to the box.  If/when he does have an accident on the floor, sop the pee up with a paper towel and bury it in the box.  This will allow him to smell himself.  Do the same with the poop. 

Also be sure that you get him to the vet.  Has he been neutered yet?  If not, you want that done soon.  He will have hormone urges that will make him want outside in the worst possible way.  He will jump through all hoops to escape.  He will also yowl, howl and keep you up at night.  His urine will also smell very strong and he may have a tendency to spray.  He also will need some vaccines.  I would wait until you are to your new place.  Yet don't want too long.  Hormones are so strong and nothing can be done to subside them except the neuter.

Be prepared for him to have a week or so of unsettledness.  YOu can get feliway diffusers to help as well as try some composure liquid max calming supplement.  Both can be found on Amazon.

I brought a feral/stray cat into  my home that had been living outside for years.  It did take him awhile to adjust to indoor living.  I made a commitment to make him an indoor only cat.  He first had to get used to living inside before meeting the rest of my animal family.  I allowed him to have a room of his own for as long as he needed.  He ended up using it for over a year.  It was his safe place to go whenever he was frightened.  Today he is a loving sweet kitty.  Yet he is still scared of the vacuum, lawn mowers, lawn trimmers, snow blowers and other loud noises.  When others come to my home no one knows he exists.  He will not come out.  I am ok with this as he loves the humans and other animals who do live here.  He has never been back outside and after the first few weeks, he never did try. 

Thank you for rescuing this sweet kitty.  It does appear as though he too is a stray that has developed some feral like tendencies.  Best of luck with the travel and capture.