What the airline asks for, what the destination state asks for and what common sense asks for. It is all here so you know what you are getting into before you book.
Rigid, with ventilation on three or four sides, a metal latch and an externally refillable water bowl. The size comes from your pet: standing without touching the roof, able to turn around and to lie down stretched out. A crate that is too big is as bad as one that is too small.
A current rabies shot and the full schedule for the species, plus recent deworming. We check it before anything moves: if something is about to expire, we are the ones who know, not you at the counter.
It is signed by an accredited vet and is usually valid for 10 days. If the vet is not accredited the document is worthless, however well written it is. We arrange the appointment the same day whenever there is a slot.
A 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 chip. If your pet does not have one it is implanted in five minutes and does not delay the trip. The number has to match every document, digit for digit.
Short-nosed breeds (bulldog, pug, boxer, persian, himalayan) are frequently banned from the hold. Some molosser-type breeds are restricted in certain states and cities. We check before charging anything, not afterwards.
Almost no airline accepts live cargo below 7 °C or above 29 °C on the tarmac. In Phoenix in July that means flying before dawn. We plan that.
Measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, and from the floor to the top of the head while standing.
| Size | Internal dimensions | Approximate weight | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 48 × 32 × 31 cm | up to 5 kg | Adult cat, chihuahua, yorkshire terrier |
| S | 55 × 36 × 35 cm | 5 to 9 kg | Bichon, large cat, pinscher |
| M | 68 × 47 × 49 cm | 9 to 18 kg | Beagle, cocker spaniel, standard schnauzer |
| L | 82 × 56 × 59 cm | 18 to 30 kg | Border collie, young labrador |
| XL | 92 × 64 × 66 cm | 30 to 45 kg | Adult labrador, german shepherd |
| XXL | 104 × 73 × 76 cm | over 45 kg | Rottweiler, young great dane |
Indicative dimensions. The final one is taken by our crate lead with the animal in front of them.
None of these is unusual. All four happen every week at some counter.
It is valid for 10 days. Issuing it three weeks early to get ahead means issuing it twice, and paying for it twice.
Weight is not what matters: the height of the head while standing is. Half the crates bought online get turned away at the counter.
Thirteen airlines, thirteen policies. And they change by season. We check in the same month as the flight.
An excellent vet may not be accredited to sign a transport certificate. The document is rejected all the same.
Send us the species, the breed, the weight and the route. We tell you what you need and when it can leave, with no commitment.