Does this carrier look right?

I think I've found the right carrier!



It meets BA requirements in that it's

1.  Big enough for all each of my cats to be more than comfy in.
2.  Vents on all four sides, secure enough (door zip ties closed),  strong enough? I assume
3.  Door can not be opened by accident (if zip tied)
4.  No nose or paw can fit through mesh (no more than any other carrier)
5.  .....So how IS the water and food accessible from the outside anyhoo?

I feel fairly confident about this choice, but am about to pay $30 for shipping and REALLY want to avoid a D'OH moment after I click "pay".

Had too many D'OH moments lately! 

thanks folks
Hb

You can find Vari-Kennel carriers at Petsmart or Petco.  No need to pay $30 for shipping!


Oh, and the food and water can be accessed through the door.  That's what that means.. you can put food or water through the holes in the front (or someone at the airline can). 

I went to several PetCos and PetSmarts in California and Arizona and I would NOT recommend using the products they carry. I recall that they used to have decent, sturdy carriers in the not-so-distant past, but the ones there now are flimsy, cheap, and prone to coming apart from just the brief testing I did. I absolutely would not trust my cat in them.

I ended up going with this:



It's sturdy as a rock, has bolts as fasteners (many of those plastic clips and pegs come loose if the handling is at all rough), and the door is absolutely secure.  The one you linked doesn't look too bad, but I still would go with the one I linked above. (plus, it has free shipping)

As for water, we're shipping our cat via Virgin and they are requiring us to get a bottle feeder (like you use on gerbils and the like)... not sure if my cat will know what to do with it, but that's their mandate, at least.

Thanks Kristi  

From looking on-line, prices were about $20 more expensive (each) at Petco and Petsmart.  Also, the medium wasn't available at one of them.    I've got three cats, so that extra $$ adds up.  

I will pop into both places ASAP to see if the situation is different in the physical world.

  Holly

My cat learned to use a bottle feeder at 23, I just bonked her nose on it a few times like you do with chickens.  Very handy when we were on the long bus/taxi ride home.

My cat learned to use a bottle feeder at 23, I just bonked her nose on it a few times like you do with chickens.  Very handy when we were on the long bus/taxi ride home.

=) Thanks for the tip!

I had secured a bottle feeder of water to my cat's kennel door, and the pet reception staff for Continental at Houston airport told me to remove it as they considered it a safety issue; they said that if there is turbulence my cat could hit his head or face against the nozzle!

So I jettisoned it, leaving only the two plastic containers that clip inside the door, which the staff then filled with ice chips for him to drink from instead.

I doubt if most cats eat or drink at all on flights.. but yeah, some airlines say to bring stuff, some say to get rid of it.  Annoying.

I also have three cats that I am taking and I purchased my three carriers from my local Petco, I have provided the link below:

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?familyid=2080&Ntt=pet%20furrari&OneResultRedirect=1



Petmate Furrarri Pet Carrier
Medium - 27"L X 19.5"W X 19"H - For Pets up to 30 lbs.

The online price shows $79.99 and when I went to my local store they actually had them on sale for $59.99.

I can tell you this carrier is VERY sturdy and VERY well made in my opinion.  I have had mine for several months and put them out/open in my bedroom so that my cats can sleep and play inside to get used to them.  They love them, there is plenty of room and the doors are very secure once closed.   

It also comes with the "Live Animals" stickers that you would other wise have to pay for and the food/water bowl that attaches to the door.  I did go ahead and purchase some of the 'no spill cups'  and will not be using the ones that came with this carrier but if you don't mind using them at least they are included. 

These are the no spill cups that I purchased from Amazon:

Thanks ancmc.

I was under the impression that the clipy kind didn't cut it (vs. the bolts). 

Reading threads on this last night, lots of people said that they used the clipy ones and that they were fine.  My boy Aidan has muscled his way out of one though, so it makes me a little leary. 

The PETCO ones listed on Amazon.com are about $20 cheaper (from a different vendor) which offsets the shipping charge by $30.

I just can't get over the fear that they are cheaper for a reason.  Really though, they are exactly the same as the ones sold by PETCO for $20 more.

Most likely I am making a mountain out of a molehill.

I really do appreciate all the feedback though!

Holly

There are two screws under each of the clips (screws included). So all together there are 10 screws holding it together as well as the clips.   

I would try calling your Petco also and give them the SKU: 140139 Number.  They may be having some kind of sale today seeing as how it is Memorial Day and people normally have sales.  If they do have them you can always go down and check them out. 

As for water, we're shipping our cat via Virgin and they are requiring us to get a bottle feeder (like you use on gerbils and the like)... not sure if my cat will know what to do with it, but that's their mandate, at least.

Really?  They're requiring that sort of water bottle?  When I called, they'd only "suggested" it, but we are booking tix this week, so I guess I'll find out.

It does worry me a little -- that it could bonk them in the eye if there was turbulence.  I've also bought Waterbite for them, to put in the food carrier part.   

Really?  They're requiring that sort of water bottle?  When I called, they'd only "suggested" it, but we are booking tix this week, so I guess I'll find out.

It does worry me a little -- that it could bonk them in the eye if there was turbulence.  I've also bought Waterbite for them, to put in the food carrier part.   

Continental actually asked me to get rid of my bottle feeder; every airline has slightly varying rules or suggestions. It seems like what is allowed or even required by one airline is actively disallowed on another. Best thing to do is call them and make sure, and even then, maybe be over-prepared by bringing the bottle anyway, even if someone surprises you with a "No we don't want that" like they did with me. Better over prepared and over-equipped than under.

I've also bought Waterbite for them, to put in the food carrier part.

What is 'Waterbite'?

I called BMI (I am sure they know me by now...) and they said that the water bowls I have are fine. I am with you guys I would not feel comfortable with the bottle device either!!  What if they were thrown into it or something... I would call Virgin again (and or the shipping agent that works with Virgin) can not see that being mandatory.. seems like they would want to keep sharp objects out of the carrier not make it required.   

What is 'Waterbite'?

I called BMI (I am sure they know me by now...) and they said that the water bowls I have are fine. I am with you guys I would not feel comfortable with the bottle device either!!  What if they were thrown into it or something... I would call Virgin again (and or the shipping agent that works with Virgin) can not see that being mandatory.. seems like they would want to keep sharp objects out of the carrier not make it required.   

I agree, that little steel nozzle would make a very hard, very sharp thing to hurt a little eye if kitty were to be thrown against it in a bit of turbulence. I hadn't thought of that when I bought it, having read somewhere of it being suggested as a water source. But the Continental people made sense and I was happy to throw it away and go with just the clip-on plastic bowls I'd attached to the inside of his door, which they then filled with ice.