Below find tips and information on Custom built or modified airline kennels & crates.
Oversized Pets
One option for extra large dogs, like Great Danes or Mastiffs is to purchase a custom built wood airline crate or have a Giant size Sky or Vari kennel modified with wood spacers to accommodate oversized pets.
Ventilation
Some Kennels lacked ventilation in back wall, easily modified by drilling holes with a power drill using a wood bore bit and tape measure. This is especially important for international flights where ventilation on all four sides of the pet kennel is mandatory
Plastic Pegs
Replace all Plastic Pegs with SOLID METAL NUTs & BOLTs to create a completely IATA USDA Airline Compliant carrier / kennel.
ATTENTION: United Air, Northwest Airline, Alaska Air & Horizon ALL require kennels to be secure with metal nuts & bolts, kennels with plastic attachments are no longer accepted by these airlines. Modify your kennel before flying with our exclusive ONE SIZE FITS all kennel hardware kits.
Universal Hardware Kits (MORE...)
Plastic Snap Latches
Another tip sent in by a truly “handy” DryFur Client. “I found the bolts to be perfect length as I Countersunk the nut by
drilling larger hole on top portion and smaller hole on bottom portion of carrier.
IMPORTANT: I started by drilling small hole through the two halves while carrier was assembled. Then I disassembled the carrier by separating the carriers top and bottom and re-drilled larger hole in JUST the top portion. Worked perfect and very SECURE!” Thanks and please feel free to use photos and tip on site. Dan
Cable Tie holes for Securing Kennel Door
If your Kennel is older or does not have these holes for cable ties you can easily modify by drilling your own holes (slightly behind all four sides of the door) or some kennels have enough room to slip the cable ties through the existing hinge holes.
Hi,
This year I will be traveling with my cats on an international flight and I have some of my kennels with a “dial latch” type of closure. Do you have any recommendation on how to properly install knots & bolts on this type of kennels (Petmate, Vary Kennel)? Since the roof/floor closure is different from the “snap latch” type…
Excellent site!, I just reviewed it and got a lot of important and mind-easing info.
Regards & thaks,
Patricia
Well this type of carrier is still approved by a few airlines but I would absolutely use cable ties or nuts and bolts to keep the dial latches locked in the closed position. Our kennel hardware kits will fit but not exactly made for that type of carrier. But I have had clients use them for that. But check with your airline first. Also this type of carrier does not come with holes around the door so please drill 4 holes around the door so you can cable tie the door closed during the flight. Also be sure the cable ties you use are hand releasable. Thanks for the comment and have a safe trip!