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Post by Thérèse on Feb 26, 2014 7:45:21 GMT -5
Everytime someone mentions carriers of any sort I think I should do a post on the various ferret transport items I have accumulated over the years. Well, I finally took pix of most of them last week but I every time I sign in I get distracted replying to other posts and then figure it is too late to start my post (it will be long), so today I am doing it before replying to things. Hopefully I will get it all done. Although I do plan to do it in sections so that I don't type it all and lose it, as sometimes happens. Most of the things I have are for out and about with ferrets but there are a couple that are for use at home. I got photos of all but 3 items and will mention them when I am in that section. First my hard carriers. Start with a basic. This is just a regular cat carrier but it is an airline approved one (there are pages of rules they send you over here when flying with animals and they include rules about what type of crriers are permitted). I got it when I flew down to Tassie with my ferrets a few years back for my niece's 21st. Non of the carriers I had screwed together AND had the spring type door latch that they wanted so I got this from the freight co that was transporting them (here they fly as freight depending on where you are going or coming from and the places where that includes is increasing but both ACT & TAS were already places where animals go as freight). The trip was so traumatic that I will probably never use it again but keep it just in case (it has been used by niece when she went back to Tas with her cat). Next I would show you their regular carrier. Another cat carrier that I use when we go to things like the Million Paws Walk for the car trip. Basically it is used for going in the car. However when not in use it is in the lounge room open and when I did the pic thing Sumo was asleep in it and I wasn't going to disturb him, so I will get a pic at a later date and tell you about it when I do. The 2nd item I did not get a pic of is an identical carrier to their regular one but it is now used for the rare time I need a timeout carrier and has nothing in it (used be Clawsy's carrier) and so I am not going to bother getting you a pic of it. Final hard carrier is my grab and go carrier. I use it for quick things. Have to rush to vet, grab and go carrier and ferret and we're out the door. Or also for real short trips like when they get their pic with Santa, I live so close to the plaza that it seems silly to bother organising their reg carrier, so grab the grab and go. It is actually sold as a picnic basket but I thought it made a good simple carrier. Blankie inside and that's it grab it and go. I got it in Go-Lo but they don't exist anymore. When I got Jester I had taken it over one time when enquiring about him. The RSPCA person asked me where I got it because they use the same thing for wildlife rescue! Also if you look in the pic of the airline carrier I have it at the side so that you could get an idea of size (then I left it for a number of other pix for comparison at the side but not all. That's it for hard carriers, so will post this then start on the next lot.
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Post by Thérèse on Feb 26, 2014 8:12:55 GMT -5
Now soft carriers. These will be in no particular order just as I grab the photo codes. This first one is one of the items that is actually for use around the house. It is a baby sling that I bought some years back thinking I could put a ferret in it when I wanted to use my hands and they wanted to be up seeing what I was doing. I've never actually used it, always forget to get it out when it would be useful. I do also have a pet sling that I bought too. It is less shaped (relying on the pets weight to give the sling it's shape) but it is the 3rd thing I didn't get a pic of because I couldn't remember where I put it but I have since found it, so when I do the pic of their regular carrier I will add it too. This next one is one of my first ferret carrying things (apart from a carrier for the car). I got it from a RSPCA shop stand at a pet expo. It is actually meant for a small dog but I thought it would be great for a ferret at things like the Million Paws Walk. It is not to enclose them but just meant as a safe comfy spot to be if they like. It does have a thing to attach a lead to inside. When I got it I only had a solo ferret and it was great when out. It was like his own portable padded tunnel that he could hide in or look out of. I usually put a blankie in for extra snuggles. Once I had more ferrets it seemed a little snug for them so hasn't been used much in recent years (and I had a lot of other options too). If I did want to use something like that I would probably use this next item. It is basically the same sort of carrier but is a bit bigger. My mum bought it for a mini poodlex she adopted (but her old cat hated the dog and so it had to be returned) and without the dog she thought I could use it for the ferrets. Not sure whether it has had an outing yet. This next one was mainly bought because I forgot to bring something else with me. I got it at a display at the event they had for the council's opening of their new pound fsacilities a number of years ago. As expected there were mostly dogs at the event and I had no hidey hole carrier, so bought this. It has been used a couple of other times because my niece who would come to pet events often likes pink. It does (as a few of the carriers I have do) have mesh which I was worried about, but none of my ferrets have ever bothered trying to get through the mesh on this or any of my things that have mesh (except my screen doors) so I don't worry anymore if a product has mesh. It may be that most of the time I either have the top open or am happy to get them out if they want out but it just may be luck. Oh and it also was designed for a small dog, hence the mesh bone design on the side. Ok, only about half through these type of carriers but am going to stop now and post this and I will continue with the rest tomorrow because I have to be up early to take my Ma to the eye doctor for her regular check-up.
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Post by Sherry on Feb 26, 2014 9:31:01 GMT -5
Excellent! Thanks Therese
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Post by Thérèse on Feb 27, 2014 10:24:07 GMT -5
Continuing the carrier saga. First I noticed today after my shower I did miss a pic of another one. It is similar to the 2 padded non enclosing ones I already posted (the green one with plaid dogs on and the cream/beige spotted one) but is pink. I forgot it because I hung it on a hook on the bathroom door a while back. So will add it to the pix I have to get when I do the pic of their regular hard carrier. Onwards with those I do have pix of. This one is similar in design to the last one I showed you and is kind of like a small overnight bag in shape. I got it from Target. Normally they don't have pet things but one day I noticed this in with the clearance handbags. It came with a matching lead and collar which I gave away. I have used it once or twice a few years back but find I like other options better. It was kept in my car boot for a while when Zoltan initially went missing so that wherever I was if I got a call about him I would have a carrier with me and being soft it could be be made to take up very little space. When I changed cars though it didn't get transferred to the new boot. This next one is probably the one I use most at the moment. It is a Marshalls front pack. So essentially like a backpack but designed to be worn at the front. I like that they are where I can see and check on them. I got it from the NSWFWS shop. They had had one a while before I got it that was polar fleece but then got a canvas one, so when I saw the polar fleece one again after commenting to them I thought the polar fleece one looked cozier, I ordered it. When it came though it was the canvas one. Was disappointed but couldn't be bothered doing anything about it and it has worked well for me. It is especially good for things like when they get their Santa pix because I can carry them in the mall and look at the pix to pick out prints etc. without worrying about them. Then we usually walk across to the river for a bit of fun time and it is lightweight and good for just such an adventure. Think this is the last one in the soft carrier section, although technically it is not soft but it does get used for similar outings as the soft carriers, so am including it here. I have actually included 2 views of it. It is my pink purse carrier. I got it purely and simply because I thought my niece would think it wasa cool carrier to take the ferrets out in. It gets used when I am sure she is coming out with us and I don't feel the need to use a different carrier for a feature it might have. It is very much more of a novelty carrier. That first view you can see the mesh and blankie inside. This second view you can see it just looking like a handbag. That's it for now. Tomorrow will start on structured carriers, ie. those made of fabric materials but with framework giving them shape.
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Post by Thérèse on Feb 28, 2014 8:27:38 GMT -5
Hoping I can finish with the ones I have pix for tonight and then it will only be the ones I missed to go, so structured carriers... This first one is just a simple canvas type carrier with a frame inside. It is slightly smaller than the size I think an average hard cat carrier is. It supposedly can be folded up to store (came in a box folded down) but it was so hard to get the frame in that I don't want to risk folding it up in case I can't get it back up again. I have never used it though. And I have a similar red one that is much bigger (more designed as a dog car crate than carrier, although it still has handles). It too supposedly folds away for storage but was very hard to put together so it too remains assembled. I also have never used this one except to contain them at home when I was moving some furniture out to the garage, so had the back door to the house open but could not supervise them, hence the overturned dish inside. I also do have another even bigger one of these that is definitely a dog car crate that my mother got me for Christmas but it is still at her place in it's box. I said I would try it out next time I brought the ferrets over as a sort of playpen alternative (I do have 2 playpens but they aren't carriers and so are not included in any of this). Because I have not even unpacked it I have no pix, I think it is blue. This next one is one I bought from a bargain store and I didn't have anything quite the same so bought it. I have no clue what the intended purpose of this carrier is. It has monster Pet and a plane printed on the side but no airline over here would let you use it. It is kind of square like about the size of a large pizza box but taller, though not very tall. It is too small for even a small dog or cat and being squareish too is inconsistent with it being for a dog or cat. However the shop I got it from being just a bargain shop, like most such stores in their pet section generally only sells stuff for dogs or cats with maybe a few items for birds or fish and on a really rare occasion something for a rabbit (and this really doesn't seem like it is for a rabbit). Anyway I bought it with no real purpose in mind just that someday it migh come in handy. It has been used, details to come later. There is one more carrier that could fall into this section of structured carriers, or I could have put it with the Marshalls front pack, because it is a backpack but it is going in the next section, strollers, because it is that too. So will save this then go straight into strollers, which is the last section except for those that still need me to get pix.
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Post by Thérèse on Feb 28, 2014 9:21:52 GMT -5
Ok, strollers... This first one is one of those stroller/backpacks. My mum gave it to me and it came out of one of those catalogues like Magnamail or BrightLife. I have used it one time for the Million Paws Walk but didn't like it much. When used as a backpack it is heavier than the Marshalls front pack and I can't check on them without taking it off. It also can't be worn round the front because the handle for the stroller gets in the way. It is ok as a stroller on a smooth surface but considering the MPW is held in a park even that side of it wasn't so great but it is handy to have. Ok, final of my ferret carriers/transport devices and my explanation and number of pix for it is a bit lengthier. My stroller. I saw a pet stroller in a pet store here quite a number of years back (maybe 10yrs) and thought it could be handy for outings with the ferrets. It was like a regular stroller you might have for a baby except it was all enclosed for the pet. However it was $300 even way back then so I didn't get it but the thought had been planted. At one point out of curiousity I did a search online and found a similar stroller (although it actually looked like it may have been sturdier) for $100, came from somewhere in Melbourne and the postage was only going to be something not too bad for such a large item ($18). I hadn't been expecting that so wasn't prepared to buy it (at that stage had to get some sort of payment arranged because I don't internet bank and I don't have a c/c). Anyway a bit further down the track when I went back to order it, couldn't find it, think they had realised that they could charge more because I did find what I thought was the same one but it was now also round the $300 mark. More time passed and I decided maybe I would get the one I had seen but when I went back they no longer had it and said they had found it was too expensive to carry as stock on hand but could order it. I'd basically gone in a few days before I wanted to use it, so declined and said I'd think about it. As time went on I would periodically do searches on line as well as checking in any pet stores I went in to. I never did find another one in store. On line however, as pet strollers became more popular, there were many more different designs, including ones that were carriers that could be then inserted into a stroller type frame (somewhat similar to the one Unclejoe got at Daytona500, which I can actually get in store but it's $180 here) but also ones where the stroller bit is more like a full on baby stroller but unlike the original one I saw the area wasn't just enclosed but was a removeable carrier. Most of the full on stroller types, whether enclosed types or carrier types were still $200+. And then there would also be postage. So I kept looking. Then one day I saw some marked down baby strollers (full on ones not the ones that are a simple seat and frame) in Target for $80. I thought I have many carriers, I could put them in like the removeable carrier type ones and it was much more cost effective. However I hesitated and the strollers all sold out. So time passes with me checking online, in pet stores and also checking regular baby stroller prices too. Then the start of last year KMart marked down some baby strollers that the model was superceded to $70. I so badly wanted to get one but a pet stroller was not a necessity and I really do have no money. I figured that if they went down even $5 more it would be too much of a bargain to pass up, even if it wasn't a necessity. So I kept checking and to cut to the chase...eventually one that sold was returned almost immediately, it had no packaging and was put together so they put it in their clearance stock as soiled (the wheels had a slight amount of dust on them and that's it) and marked it down to $35. Having never had kids, so limited contact with strollers, I made sure I was shown how to fold it etc. and then with no hesitation bought it. The only reason I can think that someone returned it is it doesn't fold down very small but that doesn't bother me. First pic, folded stroller. Next pic, empty unfolded stroller Once I had it, I had to decide what carrier to use with it. While several carriers could go in it, the one I found to seem to be the most convenient was the one I got that I don't know what it's for, the yellow monster pet one. So that is what I have been using with it. It has been used on a couple of occasions, specifically the Million Paws Walk and the RSPCA Pet Expo (what they called the most recent Pets Party). It rolls so smoothly and is easy to manouevre, even on rough surfaces. It has storage underneath for other stuff I may have with me and has definitely been worth the $35. A couple of pix of it with the carrier in it. So that's all the transport devices I have collected over the years for now. Will get pix of their regular carrier, the pet sling and the pink open soft carrier some time and then update this (although lately it has been overcast and I am driving Ma around a lot because she has had dramas about her licence)... Phew
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Post by Thérèse on Mar 30, 2014 7:29:50 GMT -5
Have finally done the missing pix. First I will do the petsling. I got it a few years back from Homeart I think. It is almost shapeless relying on the pets weight to give it shape. I have never used it. Next is a carrier I forgot I had because I had hung it on the hook on the bathroom door. I think I have used it once many years back. It is similar to other carriers I have that are designed for a small dog and are not contained. It is a bit roomier than the one with the plaid dogs on but probably slightly smaller than the beige/cream one with spots. It is a thick fabric, not quite so thick as canvas but close. It is more summery because of the mesh bone on the side that allows more airflow than the other two similar ones. I think I got it at a Pet Expo but really can't remember. Final one is their regular going in the car carrier. It has been used loads since I got it about 6 years ago. I used to use a different carrier before that. It was slightly smaller than this and did not open at the top like this one but otherwise was the same and also set up the same, ie. I put carpet on the bottom and hung a hammock across for snoozing. I did just recently discover I still have the old carrier (thought I had already given it away but found it in the bottom of the linen cupboard, it will be donated elsewhere shortly so I didn't grab a pic of it). This carrier is the best for car trips. I love that I can get them out when we arrive either at the front or via the top. Can see them much better and those slats in the top are actually designed to guide the seatbelt through. Except when I use their grab and go carrier, this is what they travel in the car in. The only problem I have ever had with it was when I first got it. I had Woozle then. woozle was a whippet type ferret and so very long and thin, whatever the season. All my other ferrets have been and are regular boys. So size has never really concerned me and I didn't think too much about the fact that this bigger carrier had bigger hole sizes in the front grill. First trip and my niece suddenly tells me Woozle is half out the carrier. Until I could attend to the bigger holes I strapped it into the carseat with the door facing the seat so he could not escape. I just cable tied some leaf guard to the front door and have had no problems since. So that's finally all the carrier things I currently have.
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Post by Sherry on Mar 30, 2014 8:51:25 GMT -5
Thank you SO much for doing this Therese!
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Post by katt on Mar 30, 2014 18:27:24 GMT -5
This is great Therese! Thank you!!
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Post by Thérèse on Mar 31, 2014 5:35:31 GMT -5
Thanks, can you believe I have so many things when generally I only have 3 ferrets at any given time, and they always travel together anyway, not in seperate things.
PS, everyone feel free to add their carrier experiences, so that others can get ideas when they are looking for something for specific outings. Actually that is why I have so many...am always on the lookout for the perfect carrying device for the right outing.
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Post by Thérèse on May 19, 2014 5:26:54 GMT -5
Ok, thought it might be helpful for people to not just see the carriers but to see them in use, so at the Million Paws Walk I took pix of the carriers I used for it. Am doing a bit of a cheat though (assuming it works), am just copying directly the bit including the pix of carriers directly from my post about the MPW. This year I tried to remember to get more photos, also my aim was to, not only get photos of us but to also get some pix of the carriers I used for the day to add into the thread I did about carriers, so people could see them in use. They will be posted in both threads. I haven't really thought about what pix to post in what order, so because I mentioned the carriers, I will start with the ones that include them. The carriers I used for the day were: their hard cat carrier one that they ride in the car in (but didn't get any pix of it in use because I was running late, took a while to locate the boys and then ages to find a park when I got there); the stroller with the yellow canvas carrier; and the spotty non-enclosed polar fleece one. In case I forget to mention it when it is evident in the pix, note that both the yellow canvas carrier and the spotty polar fleece one have a chain with a catch thing to attach to a lead or collar, so the guys are always attached by their lead and harness to whichever carrier they are in. First up just a straight pic of the stroller with yellow carrier with the ferrets inside, Jelly sitting to the side. Next is a close up of the yellow carrier where you can see a nose pressing against the mesh. This next one was taken quite late in the day when a lot of the crowds have gone. The grass area where Ma is standing had people and dogs sitting all over it not long before but it is easier for me to get pix after the crowds clear because I don't have to focus so much on everyone to ensure all are safe, well-behaved, happy and having fun. This one is Ma with the stroller, Jelly Bean and Jester's head poking out the yellow carrier to look around. Each year as a once a year thing, they get a spot of ferretcino (pet milk whizzed up with liver sprinkles). This is them snuggled inside the yellow carrier on the stroller but enjoying their ferretcino (they don't drink much and Jelly polishes off the rest as well as her own one). This one is when we stopped and Ma and I had something to eat, Jelly and the ferrets did get to share a sausage of their own too. It shows the yellow carrier removed from the stroller, Rocket climbing across it and Jester, who had been in the spotty one, emerging from it. These next few focus on the use of the spotty carrier. First is me with it and Rocket and Jester poking their heads out, Jelly is also in the shot. This next one I am holding it open, so you can see how all three happily snuggle in and sleep in it when they want a rest. Hopefully this enlightens someone, also feel free to post your experiences with carriers and I will add later whenever I use any of the others and remember to get pix.
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Post by Thérèse on Aug 30, 2014 9:23:54 GMT -5
@julesalot & msav or anyone else. Perhaps you could add the pix of the carrier things you got here, so that others can have reference of them as well when trying to decide on whether or not something will suit their purpose. Especially as the things you guys can get in America etc. will often differ from what I have gotten.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2014 11:21:24 GMT -5
I posted pics of my messenger bag carrier on another post but when I get home later today I will post them on this thread and pics of my new carrier I bought a few weeks ago for Vet visits and such. Glad to help
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Post by msav on Aug 30, 2014 12:54:07 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2014 6:14:12 GMT -5
Okay so I finally got around to taking picture of my carrier, since it would take me around an hour to get the links to all the pics of my messenger bag carrier, here is the link to the post I made with all the info and pics... (sorry, lazy me)... holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/16081/messenger-bag-carrier-ferretsand here is the collage of my carrier that I use for vet visits and such It was $30 at petsmart, I forgot the exact name but it is actually an airport carrier for dogs, though my dog (Yorkie/Maltese) barely fits in it. Perhaps a small Chihuahua could fit, but definitely a couple ferrets.
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