Does this carrier look right?

What is 'Waterbite'?

It's hydration gel (aka gelatinous water with some flavor added in) for pets.  Sounds delish, yes?  It won't slosh in a dish or evaporate.   

I found a link to it on the IATA page.  I ordered it online here.

Ophinky: When are you flying? Would love to know how your animals like the Waterbite.  Are you taking cat or dog?

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?

This is the exact kennel I used for 5 of my cats. I sourced mine from a local pet supply store in Dallas, TX. If you haven't ordered it yet, contact your local shops to see if they have them. Since I was buying multiple kennels, I was able to work out a discount for a bulk purchase.

The size was perfect for them. Each kennel had a water absorbent pad (part of travel kit) at the bottom, on top of that was a cat blanket (purchased from Walgreens) and on top of that was a cat bed (purchased from Walgreens).

For water, I purchased a hamster bottle. The dish that was provided with the travel kit was placed under the bottle to catch any leakage.  Bottle similar to this but sourced locally for less...

Travel kit: I sourced this locally for $2.99...

For food, I provided BA a ziploc bag of their food which was then kept by London Heathrow animal receiving as it contained meat products.

I did not need to ziptie the door as it was very secure and was tough to open normally.

Everything went really smooth from the BA side as well as Heathrow receiving. I even let the flight attendants know that I was the crazy lady with the 5 cats below and they were gracious enough to keep me informed of their status on board.

Don't hesitate to pick my brain some more.

Each kennel had a water absorbent pad (part of travel kit) at the bottom, on top of that was a cat blanket (purchased from Walgreens) and on top of that was a cat bed (purchased from Walgreens).

For water, I purchased a hamster bottle.

Everything went really smooth from the BA side as well as Heathrow receiving. I even let the flight attendants know that I was the crazy lady with the 5 cats below and they were gracious enough to keep me informed of their status on board.

Don't hesitate to pick my brain some more.

Awesome, thanks.

1.  Is the bed/blanket idea of your own configuration?  What was the thought process behind your decision to double up?

2.  Did you decide to use the hamster bottles because the tiny little tray of water would slosh etc?

3.  How do they know what's going on in the hold?

Finally, how long did it take you to get through reception?

gracias.

weininaustin: I am actually from Southern Illinois but have been living in Fort Worth TX for 3 years 9 months... Moving to the Manchester area later this month... I *had* 5 cats but am only taking 3 with us to the UK.  My mom is keeping our oldest as I do not think he would enjoy the flight and they have always been close.. and I found a rich family in North Richland Hills to take a kitten I had rescued (she is living the high life now).  lol

Anyway... How did the flight attendants tell you what was on going on?  If there are cameras I guess they could see but I've been told they will be in complete darkness. 

*crossed posts*

Awesome, thanks.

1.  Is the bed/blanket idea of your own configuration?  What was the thought process behind your decision to double up?

2.  Did you decide to use the hamster bottles because the tiny little tray of water would slosh etc?

3.  How do they know what's going on in the hold?

Finally, how long did it take you to get through reception?

gracias.

1.  I decided to double up because I love to spoil my kitties and and wanted them to be comfortable when traveling. Also, since we did not ship anything this was my way of making sure they had something when we arrived. They now sleep in the beds.

2. The hamster bottle idea came from someone on UKY. What a great recommendation. Not sure if they drank anything, but at least I wasn't worried about lack of water.

3. As soon as I boarded the plane I asked the head steward if he could check on them. Word spread and all attendants knew that I was the cat lady and they made sure to check on them and report back to me. I have no idea how they did it, but they did confirm that everyone was on board and fine just before we departed.

Reception:  We arrived in Heathrow at 8:30 and we were not able to pick them up until 13:00. I called Reception at 10:00 to make sure they arrived at reception safe. No issues, they were very gracious and gave me the time of when they would be ready and offered to call me when to head over.

Received the call at 12:00, but did not arrive until 12:30. They were not offically ready, due to the folks having to gather all the paperwork, until 13:00. Once I received the paperwork, we were able to load the kennels in the car. We were on the road at 13:30 for our final leg to Central Scotland.

Where is your final destination?

My cats have always spurned the beds I've bought for them.  However if I put a blanket in a old box, they fight over it.   

I'm headed to Bristol.  My uncle and aunt have graciously agreed to pick me up at Gatwick and help me collect the first day basics that I won't be able to carry back from the store.  They are driving from Telford.

My flight arrives at 8 am.  I reckon I'll just ask them to meet me at the reception center later in the morning, rather than making them wait around. 

Also, where can I buy large cat boxes?  The ones I saw at my local ASDA were just shallow trays.   

My cats have always spurned the beds I've bought for them.  However if I put a blanket in a old box, they fight over it.   

I'm headed to Bristol.  My uncle and aunt have graciously agreed to pick me up at Gatwick and help me collect the first day basics that I won't be able to carry back from the store.  They are driving from Telford.

My flight arrives at 8 am.  I reckon I'll just ask them to meet me at the reception center later in the morning, rather than making them wait around. 

Also, where can I buy large cat boxes?  The ones I saw at my local ASDA were just shallow trays.   

If you're flying into Gatwick, the wait times may be different. Call receiving and ask so you're not stuck without a ride.

We purchased the boxes at Pets at Home. I see they have one in Bristol.

Do not waste your money on this one. DH picked this up before we arrived and it is terrible!! We still use it but not for its intended purpose. We use a litter bag with it now.
http://www.petsathome.com/find/category-is-1+cat/category-is-1j+litter+and+accessories/category-is-1J05+Litter+trays/product-is-9601

This is the one we use and prefer. Not as much as the ones we had in the states but this is the best of the bad bunch. Also from Pets at Home.
http://www.petsathome.com/find/category-is-1+cat/category-is-1j+litter+and+accessories/category-is-1J05+Litter+trays/product-is-13004

After trying a few different types of litter, we now only use Tesco brand litter. In Scotland it's only £1.14 per 10kg bag. It's in the white bag with red writing.

The litter bags we use are German and we purchase them from zooplus.co.uk. Inlaws are heading over from the states and bringing 8 boxes of Petsmarts Exquisicat Jumbo liners. Hopefully they will fit the boxes. Got a super deal on them. Once these are done, I'll go back to buying the German ones.

We also buy their food, Royal Canin Fit 32 from zooplus.co.uk. It's available through Pets at Home, but I buy the giant bag and get free shipping and usually a free toy and some other discount making it cheaper. After trying several different kinds of food, this was the best for my little girls sensitive tummy.

Sorry for information overload.........

Sorry for information overload.........

Quite the opposite!  Its been enlightening.

There is a Pets at Home on the way into town. 

I hadn't even thought about liners.  I've been using plastic grocery bags for so long, but that won't work anymore, will it. 

Those 10kg bags of litter are really heavy.  There is a Tesco Express just a stones throw from my flat, so hopefully they will stock those.  Otherwise, I'll need to buy a wheely cart.  My transition to old lady-dom begins.... 

I use scoopable litter.. am hoping that I will be able to find some kind of brand that is good!

DH and I bought a new Litter Box Tray w/ a Hood (the kind my cats are already used to using) and we are mailing it over to his Mom's house before we leave.  We have put it in the bottom of the box and are filling the rest in with things that we want to have when we arrive that we won't have to lug in our suitcase. 

I have bought a few rolls of screen that I have taken off of the roll and folded into a square that is going in the box... Since there are no screens I plan on making my own once we get there.   

Then we are filling the rest with other things like some of the cross stitch I'm working on etc.. to keep us busy until the rest of our boxes come in November.   

Those 10kg bags of litter are really heavy. 

GRRRR.... It's 10 litres, not kg..... The Royal Canin comes in 10kg. Sorry

Here's the litter bags I buy
http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_litter_litter_boxes/deo_accessoires/14244

It fits the high side quite well and is thick plastic and withstands the nails.

I have bought a few rolls of screen that I have taken off of the roll and folded into a square that is going in the box... Since there are no screens I plan on making my own once we get there.  

I have seen screen sold at places like Aldi and Lidl for not bad prices. Not sure if they have them in or near Manchester.

Ophinky: When are you flying? Would love to know how your animals like the Waterbite.  Are you taking cat or dog?

Just booked our tix today!  We're flying on Oct 22. GULP!

I am going to test out the Waterbite in advance, but one of my cats is on antibiotics right now and I figure that's enough fun for her for now. 

Just booked our tix today!  We're flying on Oct 22. GULP!

I am going to test out the Waterbite in advance, but one of my cats is on antibiotics right now and I figure that's enough fun for her for now. 

aawww..  hope he/she is okay!   

We fly out September 30th.. Am thinking about getting it but since I already bought the spill proof cups may just stick to the ice cubes.   

I wonder if I need to bring some ice or if they will have it there.. hhhmm...

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

It may depend on the airline but we used one that has the clips, one that has bolts and another where I had to use those strong plastic ties that cannot be undone once fastened to hold the carrier together (only way to undo them is to cut them...I can't remember their proper name). 

I'll try to look them up.. but we call them 'zap straps'.

Like these?

http://www.hollynorth.com/store/product.php?productid=1618