Hi...does anyone have any experience shipping a dog? I'm trying to ship my GSD from NY to Chicago, but I'm not sure what size crate I should buy. He is a medium size dog, weighs about 86 lbs. I was thinking of getting a 500 series crate (40 x 27 x 30), but I think it might be too small. The next one is a 700 series crate (48" L x 32" W x 35" H). The problem with using a 700 series crate is that there are no direct flights going from NY to Chicago. This is all pretty confusing so if anyone can give me some suggestions, I'd appreciate it. We need to ship him this week. Thanks.

You should be ok w/a 5 series. I think the 7 is more for taller breeds. I almost shipped a same-sized dog from Atlanta to Chicago and the shipper, who was very experienced, was sending him in a 500. Unless he's quite tall, a 7 should be overkill, and a huge hassle flight-wise. I have heard horror stories, but IME, the airlines are not THAT picky, as long as the dog has enough room. Try other stores; some brands xlarge crates are NOT the same size. For example, I have a Furrari, the largest size it comes in, and it is waaay too small for my GSD. OTOH, I have a normal plastic Wal-Mart crate, equivalent to a 500, that he fits fine in. Shop around for the biggest one you can get in the 5 series range. A direct flight would of course be easiest on him.

Cool...nice to know. I think I'll just buy the crate from Continental Cargo. I'll just find out if I have to pick it up my self or will they hold it for me.

Gene, I don't have input on the size, but rather a heads-up on the plastic screws used to hold the top and bottom of the plastic crates together. They may loosen on the flight or due to being handled by airline personnel. Make sure they're tight and secure.

Reason for the heads-up is that when I picked up Lear as an 8 wk old puppy at the airport, I didn't realize that the screws in his small crate had loosened. Thank God I'm weak enough in my arms that I had to hold the top handle with one hand and hold the bottom with my other arm. Got home and saw the loosened screws. Loose enough that the bottom could have fallen off at the airport on the way to my car. Lear had to change flights and on top of that, his last flight was delayed more than 2 hours. The shuffling around of the carrier between flights didn't help to keep the screws tight.

Here's a site for air travel tips for pets, might have info you hadn't thought of: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_airtraveltips

Ok, thanks Sandy. I'll check it out.

That would probably be easiest; that way, they'll be the ones to judge what size he needs and you won't have sudden issues when you're trying to get him on a flight. FYI-I have an appt. Wed evening, but any other night is fine! Or day-just let me know.

Jenni...I just sent you an email.

Decide what airline you are going to ship with, then go to their site and read their directions. They are pretty explicit about what you have to do. Many 'suggestions" are not optional, but required, like the size and type of crate, health certs, food and water kits and shredded bedding. The site should cover who pays what and when, and how early you have to get the animal to the shipping area. (I was allowed to stay with my dog until he was loaded onto the plane.) They also will not allow you to ship a live animal if the weather is expected to exceed a certain temp at any point during the flight. So it could be cooler at the point of departure, but if it's expected to be warmer at any place on route where there is layover or plane change, then they won't let you ship it. Going NY to Chicago is probably going to be OK as their temps are pretty similar, but shipping cross-country mid-summer can be almost impossible. (Try to book a direct flight if you can ... it's easier on everyone.) During the summer there are often departure delays due to storms. I was told Weatherunderground.com is the forecast that most airlines use to determine if they will ship a live animal. You should go there and read all the extended forcasts for all the main points of the trip before trying to book it.

Cher

Thanks Cheryl...

Hi Gene -- just wanted to add a small suggestion that Sandy's post reminded me of...

I too have had the crate screws loosen and even fall out in just regular trips to the vet with my cat's crate.

I would recommend some extra reinforcement and have seen the plastic zip ties work great and add a little more security for shipping

Katie