Over Sized 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 over sized pets. Another option is to build a custom sized dog crate yourself or Convert a standard wood shipping crate into a dog airline crate.
Custom Built Crates by CR8-2FLY.com
New Sky Kennel Height Extension Kits will easily add 3.5″ to the height of your XL 500 Kennel.
New Sky Kennel Height Extension Kits will easily add 5″ to the height of your GIANT 700 Kennel.
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 FAA Airline Compliant carrier / kennel.
ATTENTION: United Air, Delta, Northwest Airline, Alaska Air & Horizon ALL require kennels to be secure with metal 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.
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. Delta will accept snap latches if they have been modified as in the above example. Please Watch video below for step by step instructions on how to secure these kennels with metal hardware.
For Great Article on how to modify a pet carrier for small animals, Rodents or Sugar Glidders Visit International Pet Glider site
Might also be helpful for traveling pet owners worried about paws sticking out of carrier doors.
Too Few Holes for Attachments
If your Kennel is older it may only have 6 attachment holes for keeping the kennels top and bottom together. If this is the case we recommend you drill additional hardware holes especially towards the right and left front corners of the kennel. This way if an attachment fails or comes loose next to the door there is a backup. The two attachments next to the right and left side of the door are not only responsible for keeping the kennels top and bottom together but also have a secondary function of keep the door in place. One missing attachment next to the door can be detrimental to the integrity of the kennels structure.