Using a Vari Kennel

There are many different types of dog kennel available for transporting your dog from place to place.  They vary from those made of rigid plastic, with a grate which can be locked, through folding nylon covered kennels to sturdy metal cages.  However, not all these kennels are suitable to use on a flight.

If you have the need to take your dog on a plane with you then you may not be surprised to learn that you will need an airline approved kennel for your dog to be allowed onto the flight.  Luckily, it is easy to find kennels with just such approval, the market leader being the Petmate Vari Kennel.

There are several features which are essential for air travel.  One is that the kennel needs to be strong enough to withstand a certain amount of knocks and bangs associated with being put onto a plane.  Secondly, the hold of a plane doesn’t have much free airflow and so it is vital that any kennel is very well ventilated.  Vari Kennels have vents on all four walls and the roof and the walls are slightly angled so that there is no chance of a vent being blocked by the kennel being pushed up against another object in the hold.

The gate on the kennel must be very strong and lockable and the mesh must be small enough that a dog could not get his paws or nose through the gaps, where they could be injured.  It is a good idea to buy a water bowl that can be fixed to the gate as this way there is no chance of your dog knocking over his water and going thirsty whilst in transit.

If you buy a Deluxe Vari Kennel then you will also get detachable wheels and a leash which will allow you to pull the kennel through the terminal rather than carrying it or balancing it on a trolley.