First of all, welcome!

To find a Vanagon-friendly mechanic in your travels, try here first:

http://roadhaus.com/

and click on the repair shop reviews link. It has been compiled over the years by many contributors in North America.

Losing coolant could be all kinds of things and I will leave it to more knowledgeable list members to give a list of potential problems.

I SO get the cat & travel thing! Good luck!

Melissa Mourkas
84 Westy Honey Bee
Sacramento, CA