With a few exceptions for some of our larger passengers, we transport all dogs in Ruffland Brand crates
When you get into a car, you put on your seatbelt. Safe and secure crates do the same thing for your pet that you seatbelt does for you. A pet who is loose in a vehicle can be thrown and injured in the event of an accident, or even sudden braking due to road hazards. Not all crates are created equal, and there are some that are far safer for roadtrips. We choose RuffLand crates for our pet transports.
Material
Dog crates are available in a variety of materials. Wire crates are the ones most people are familiar with. These crates are designed for in-home use, and are great for potty training puppies. They are not suitable for vehicle use as they will collapse under pressure, and your pet can stick limbs out of them if they want. These are not USDA approved crates for transport.
Cloth crates are also not appropriate. While these are great for things like hotel stays, they are difficult to sanitize, making them a poor option for use in a transport vehicle. Cloth and fabric crates can also limit ventilation, and are easy for dogs to damage.
Crates made of solid, safe plastic or aluminum are the gold standard for car transport. The RuffLand crates are made of rotomolded plastic, with round edges, plenty of ventilation, and doors that do not allow paws to reach through. Furthermore, they are available in a variety of sizes to make sure that every pet has a good fit.
RuffLand Crates versus Vari-Kennels
There are other types of plastic crates on the market. Vari-kennels or Sky Kennels are commonly chosen for air travel. These crates generally have a top and bottom half secured by screws, and a wire door. The plastic used to make Vari-kennels is not as sturdy as the RuffLand plastic, and can crack easily. In addition, the joint between the top and bottom has been a weak point that has been documented in car accidents. We prefer to use a solid crate, with tougher plastic and a solid body. The RuffLand kennels meet these criteria.
Ease of Cleaning
In between each transport, we pull every crate out and power wash them with a kennel cleaner that is a favorite with vet clinics. Doors on RuffLand crates can be completely removed. This is a great feature, and allow us to really clean in every nook and cranny so that each new guest has a sparkling clean cabin to ride in.
