Pet Crate Makes

[aussie06]

Hello,
I am about to by the one for my boy; my agency recomended me Vari-kennel
which one did you use and would you recommend it or not?
Thanks a lot

[basil]

I used vari-kennel and would recommend it. I got mine from doggiesolutions online.

I would say that as you pay by volume, plastic crates often work out more expensive v's wooden (for example the vari kennel is un-necessarily wide for my dog but i needed the size 5 for length).
BUT with a wooden crate you can't spend a few weeks letting your dog get used to it as a stress free safe place so that they travel calmly in it.

[3 Piccos]

Did you buy the crate for your dog? I am really wanting to do the same thing as yourself. Get Rosie used to the crate at home, not at some strange kennels. Did you manage to get a good company who was prepared to ship the dog in your own crate?

[aussie06]

Did you buy the crate for your dog? I am really wanting to do the same thing as yourself. Get Rosie used to the crate at home, not at some strange kennels. Did you manage to get a good company who was prepared to ship the dog in your own crate?

hello,
yes I bought it some weeks ago, a vari-kennel Petmate; that is really good; I ve seen a lot of other crates in the pet supplies shops, that were not secured enough imho; but this one is really good; when at home I take the door off,so that he has a kennel with his bed in it; when we go in the car, I put the door on and then he is in the same situation as in the hold ( he still does not like it very much )
you can buy it on zooplus, it is far cheaper and I ve received it the day after I ve ordered it

for the company, I ve alsoo found one, but a french one as my dog will depart from Paris

hope this helps

[3 Piccos]

Does the crate meet all the criteria required by the airlines? I have just phoned Golden Arrows and the man didn't seem to understand the big deal about getting my dog used to the crate! I am also not keen on leaving the dog with them for a few days but don't know whether this is the case with all companies. I know that the vet has to see them 96 hours before the dog flies out but can't that be done by your own vet? They say the three or four days in kennels prior to flight is free (nothing is ever free in my experience). If your dog is still not keen on the crate after being in it, in it's own surroundings, how must they feel when they are put in there by strangers! I know this company is used by a lot of people on this site and gets great reviews. These requirements might be the same with all companies for all I know.

[aussie06]

Does the crate meet all the criteria required by the airlines? I have just phoned Golden Arrows and the man didn't seem to understand the big deal about getting my dog used to the crate! I am also not keen on leaving the dog with them for a few days but don't know whether this is the case with all companies. I know that the vet has to see them 96 hours before the dog flies out but can't that be done by your own vet? They say the three or four days in kennels prior to flight is free (nothing is ever free in my experience). If your dog is still not keen on the crate after being in it, in it's own surroundings, how must they feel when they are put in there by strangers! I know this company is used by a lot of people on this site and gets great reviews. These requirements might be the same with all companies for all I know.

for what I've planned , 96 hours prior the flight, my dog will receive the last ticks treatment, then he will be examined by a government official vet that will fill the A certificate, then just before he gets onboard, he will see another government official vet that will fill the certificate B and seal the crate then the company will chek my dog in the hold of the aircraft;
I ve never been told to have my dog used to another crate than the one I ve bought, as he will fly in it

[basil]

Shop around for shipping companies if you feel the one you have called in inflexible.

Dogs must travel in an IATA approved crate and the varikennel mentioned on this thread is completely suitable - but you MUST get the sizing correct for your dog or it will be refused flight (ie it cannot be too small)

Many shipping companies like to just do things their way, their preferred airline, their preferred manufacturered wooden crates and insist on their vets and 3 days in kennels.
They don't have to do that, that's their choice.

I prefer certain airlines, my own kennel , my own vet and to drop them off at the airport myself. I'm a fussy b*gger basically, but once I've stipulated all that I've never struggled to get a collection of quotes from various companies. (i'd rather not use a shipper full stop but on some routes the airlines wont deal with joe public)

I agree, a dog who is used to his crate and happy to enter if of his own free will is a much nicer thought than one that is shoved in a small box it's never been in before by a stranger.