Amtrak Large Dog Policy For Sale (Jan 2023 Update)

I did some research on the Variocage dog crate. I recall they crash tested it for all 3 types of crashes. It showed several of the straps breaking, and I thought that was a bad sign. But according to info from a video posted below, the straps are only designed to keep the crate oriented in the rear of your car prior to the collision, after that the straps can break, but the crate is designed to protect effectively. The angled part of the crate abutting the rear seat disperses the force of a rear end collision over the largest surface as opposed to a square regular crate which contacts the rear seat at the point of its corner. The corners of the crate where the dog doors are (I bought a 2 dog medium crate) are blunted- that is to conform to the crumple zone of the back of your car in case of rollover- thus creating its own crumple zone. Lastly the telescoping bars allow force to be absorbed, but still protect your dog inside. The Swedish designers have outdone themselves, The cost is around $1,100 but you get what you invest in. If your goal is to get one of the safest crates for your dog, Variocrate ranks among the top 3 in my research. I picked it over the other choices because it fit into the rear of my vehicle the best. Very satisfied with the product and am confident my dogs have good protection while on the road with me. Here is the video I mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP3iACjUDkkDiana H.

I had very good assistance before purchasing regarding size — of my dogs and of my car–and ended up with a Large Double for two English Labradors. It's a good size for them and fits just perfectly in my Subaru Outback. I found the assembly not too difficult (the video on the website helps to supplement the paper instruction sheet). The dogs have plenty of room but the space is smaller than what they are used to, so I left it set up in the house for several days so they could practice going in and out. They both seem very comfortable riding in it, and I LOVE having them safely contained — especially when they are wet (and/or muddy) from swimming. I also like that it doesn't hinder visibility for driving very much – something I was worried about when I started looking at some other crates.Robin R.

I like the Variocage products. I have the Variogate and divider In our other car. However, positioning some components to get proper bolt alignments was very challenging on this assembly. One side flange of the rear lower panel was so far out of alignment that it had to be bent to fit. Other components required clamps to achieve alignment for bolts. If I had time to wait for replacement parts, I know that they would have been gladly provided. Since I was so far along with assembly, I decided to soldier on. Once assembled, it is a very nice crate, however.Scott H.

It’s really a great stroller. Took me about 4 minutes to assemble it out of the box you don’t even need to use instructions it’s that simple. Very easy to maneuver and to fold up for putting in my truck. Granted it doesn’t quite fit my dog but sort of knew that when I bought it – that it was going to be a VERY tight fit. We have a 95 lb English Creme Golden Retriever so he cannot ride in it with the top down, I just keep it up. But he loves it. And I love the water bottle holders and little storage compartment for his poop bags and a tennis ball! It’s suoer easy for Kota to get in and out of it. I have to sort of manipulate his position when he gets on and lays down just to make sure he’s on the “flatbed” (that’s what we call it now because it’s more like a flatbed than a stroller the way we use it). I’ve thought about cutting out the mesh in front so he could use it with the top down – I’d need to cut the mesh out of front so his legs could dangle out. This is one of the most economical strollers out there and it really is worth every penny. I also got it on sale for Black Friday through Stateline. I wish I could post a picture but there doesn’t seem to be any where on this review site to upload. Bummer!!Heather

I bought this unit for my companion dog because we both have osteoarthritis plus he has Lyme disease and seizures. . He had a seizure in the street last fall and we had to stop taking our walks. Now I won't have to walk with a cane while holding a leash and when it gets to be too much for him he can ride safely while I finish our route. It's still too cold to to use it yet but I love the size, color, and openness of the unit. Not sure how noisy the plastic wheels will be on cement. Once the cup holder is in place you can't open the back door without removing it. The lock on the front is kinda iffy, doesn't unlock very well when the button is pushed. Box was damaged and it caused a 2 inch tear in the mesh of the back door. Good thing I can sew it shut.Gypsy

This is an outstanding product! We have a 10-year old, 65lb German Shepherd who now has trouble making it over the hills at our nearby lake. So we take the stroller with us and use it on the hills. From someone who cringes at the phrase "some assembly required," trust me that the set-up was a breeze, with clear instructions and no tools required; a 5-min job. It collapses for transport in a snap, and unfolds just as easily for use (we have a Subaru Forester, and the stroller can fit on its side between the front and back seats, or stow securely in the cargo area). Our "passenger" can easily enter/exit from front or back, and the hood at top can be opened. It runs and turns smoothly (front wheels are castorized), and the handlebar height is adjustable. We initially thought that it might be too short for our dog to lie down in, but she's fine as long as she curls a little, which is her natural lying posture anyway. The only thing I would suggest is that the designers add a vent at the front, that can be folded down such that the 'passenger' can poke his/her nose out. The hood on top is fine while she's sitting, but it would be nice if she could poke her nose and face out front while lying down. No complaints, though. This is great value for money, and a good quality design.Many thanks!gpmeehan

Superb pet carrier for small or medium cat or dog. I like this model as it has a narrower contour than some others (i.e. less boxy) so it is "puurfect" for traveling 🙂 ! Also, the faux sherpa cushion is a great touch to create comfort but without bulk — and it's washable! The outside design and look of the bag is very modern and presentable to go with other designer looking luggage.LolaMarilynStar

I use the carrier for my cat. It works fine for her. Although she sometimes claws at the mesh, I expected this with a soft carrier.M Baker

We have a most stubborn kitten that would NOT stop jumping on the counters. He has the rest of the house to play in and a ton of toys but is very food driven and just won't stop getting on the counter! So we tried water spray, sticky tape, spike mats, cat repellent sprays (2 types), pushing him off, etc. NOTHING worked. THIS WORKED SO FAR! Yay. It's been a couple of weeks and he is now pretty much staying off the counter when the mat is on there. We have to leave it on and it's on the 2nd setting right now. It's a pain to deal with because we had to cover the whole counter so trying to use the kitchen and the sink is not an easy task but hopefully he will eventually get the message and just stop. He is the most stubborn cat I've ever been around and even the spike mats he just jumped on and endured the uncomfortable feeling on his feet. He is a 6 month old kitten that is large and heavy. We got two mats and double sided the ends together so they would stay on the counter. There are rubber dividers that we put double stick tape on as well to hold it in place. Otherwise, he just jumped up there, endured the pain and pushed it off the counter and went on his way. However after taping it down so it couldn't be pushed off, he is now more compliant. I just wish we would have gotten it when he was younger before he was able to get bad habits. It rolls up easy and we can leave it on the counter at night when he does not have access to the kitchen. So far the batteries are doing okay. I noticed someone said they had it for a few days and then it started beeping and wouldn't stop. That happened to us as well but I discovered a tiny bit of water under the mat that was causing the problem. Be sure your surface is clean and dry. As soon as I got the water dried up and wiped the bottom of the mat it worked just fine again. Bottom line: Good product, worked when nothing else did, easy to use, battery operated. Keep clean and be gentle with it. Should work fine.Sandra

This is just what I needed. I had to add another mat to our home as my dog was getting upstairs. I love that you can have light and shock, it may also sound which I don't use. Very useful. I don't even need to keep it turned on anymore as my dog avoids it. The shock level is adjustable and I have shocked myself and I am comfortable that my dog is not in any harm.Petty

I have a pretty picky kitty when it comes to carriers. He does not like hard plastic or metal bars. I got this Sherpa® Travel Original Deluxe™ Airline Approved Pet Carrier for up to 22 pounds to try and see if he liked it. I use it mainly for trips to the vet or visiting friends. It comes folded up (so you can store it under a bed easily) but is easy to fold out and put together. It comes with a stability board and faux lambswool liner that easily attach to the bottom with hook and loop strips. Also included is a shoulder strap. It has two openings: one of the top and one at the end. Both has zippers that lock. So kitty cannot escape. The is one small pocket on the back that could hold papers, or small toys or treats. Mesh sides provide plenty of light and air so kitty does not feel contained. I left my carrier out on the floor for him to investigate. He eventually went in and lay down. I did a test run just over to a friends house in my car. The carrier fit easily on my backseat. I was able to loop the shoulder strap over the headrest and also put the seat belt through the luggage band located on the rear side of the carrier. Kitty rode safely and for the most part, happy. He lay down and did not repeatedly circle. I love that the liner comes and out and is washable and that the entire carrier is washable. I love that the carrier is lightweight as Kitty weighs almost 20 pounds. I love that this carrier can be wedged into tighter spaces as it has a flexible frame.daisymae9624

I initially really liked this product. Its lightweight easy to carry. I kept it in my cat's comfort zone so he wouldn't be intimidated by it and he enjoyed laying in it and he relaxed quietly when being carried around. However it only took one 15 minute ride to the vet before this 11mo old cat became nervous and ripped it open at the seam. The hole was big enough to stick its head through and would have only gotten larger it I wasn't holding it shut (while driving). The product was listed for pets up to 16 pounds and my cat was not that big. The product does promote a 1 year warranty, however fine print states ***Worldwise will not accept the return of a bag that has carried an animal (yes you read that correct). SHERPA warranty covers manufacturing defects only. Pet damage of any kind is NOT covered under warrant. A copy of the original sales receipt is required to submit a SHERPA warranty claim.furbabiesSandO

I purchased two of these Original Sherpa bags over 20 years ago and have used them until just recently. My kitty passed away and i just got two new kittens, so decided to buy two more of these bags new and donate the old originals, although there was nothing at all wrong with them. Just thought it was time to buy new. The old ones lasted many years of traveling every month on planes, in cars, hotels, and definitely got more use than the average pet I’m sure! They held up all these years without even a rip or tear, even being shoved underneath airplane seats for years! HOWEVER, I wish I did not get rid of them. The new ones I just purchased do NOT by any means measure up to the old ones unfortunately. The saying holds true, that they don’t make things like they used to! The quality of this bag has gone way downhill since the ones I purchased many years ago! I cannot see these lasting anywhere near as long as my old ones. They are making them very cheaply now, and they did away with the extra compartment that was in between the back zippered one and the bag. There was another wide compartment about one inch wide, which was so convenient. I used to put my kitties food, dishes, and treats in there. It was perfect for travel! They unfortunately omitted that compartment now. The old ones also came with the luggage tag attached which identifies your pets name, owners name, and contact information. That is very important to keep on the bag! So unfortunately I would not really recommend this brand anymore.Nan A

This is our 3rd stroller for Jax and we absolutely love it! I initially had a problem with front tire but Pet Gear Management helped me immediately. We keep a smaller Pet Gear stroller in Florida and a small red stroller at the Jersey Shore for Jax, a little 10 pound Morkie which are both still in excellent condition. I decided to purchase the Dalmatian NV stroller to use in NJ for longer walks and thus far 4 of my girlfriends fell in love with it and each purchased same one for their lil fur babies. Friday I noticed side seam completely ripped from being pulled due to design flaw in separated main area where Pet sits. I took bolster mat out and noticed material along side where bolster pads rubs is ready to shred open. I took extra large leash I had from my sons dog and wrapped it along bottom for support but material is already ripped. I looked at other stroller that’s 4 years old and it’s still like new! I’ve only used this stroller 5 or 6 times outdoors and absolutely love it for Jax. Pet Gear Please Help Me! How can I stop the material from shredding? Jax never scratches at the sides or chews in anyway. I’m so thankful for any help from you.JoieLovesJax

I love taking my Dachshund with me wherever I go. But, I have a disability and sometimes lose my balance very easily. Large dogs and children make her nervous and she will pull on her leash too hard and make me off balance. I have bought other strollers in the past but they were very low quality and felt like I was pushing a baby doll (toy) stroller around. (Very weak and insteady) This stroller is absolutely amazing. Very high quality, very stable and I love the storage area underneath for my purse. Perfect height (no bending over to push it) I accidentally over inflated one of the tires and it popped.(totally my fault) But, walmart had the exact size tube that I needed to fix it right up. I will be having surgery soon to fix my hip and this stroller will work very well during my rehab. As you can see in the pics, my Maci absolutely loves it as well!MelB68

We needed a sturdy jogger for our puppy and this worked out perfectly. It allowed us to walk and hike distances on sometimes uneven paths. The large tires handled trails and as the puppy got bigger, it easily handled his weight. Highly recommended!Michael

The crate seems super solid and the wheels are very convenient for moving it around since it really is enormous. I haven’t put it to any heavy use yet but I expect my giant breed pup will be very comfortable in this crate during our overseas move.Anonymous

Needs support in the middle or the vinyl will rip ifyou have any animal more than 15 lbs.Wheels are warped. Front wheel needs to be locked in order to walk fast or jog, or it will wobble very bad. Unfortunetly my front wheel is off to the left when locked so the cart does not travel straight. Pet gear sent me two more wheels but they are also warped. I just dont understand it. I do love it thiugh because my dog was paralyzed do do a back injury and couldnt walk. She is able to see out well and all around in this.I just needed to make some adjustments to this cart in order to have it last and also make it more functional. Overall, I love the looks and feel, I just think for the money, Pet Gear needs to make improvements.Anonymous

I own 2 of these carriages for my little girl. I also like to jog and my little one loves the wind blowing in her face. This carriage is amazing. I jog on pavement haven't tried it on a dirt road. Sturdy well made carriage. Like a said I have 2 one for each of our houses, I did put extra padding inside for more comfort. Love it stylish sturdy fabulous!!Angel

After reasearch, I found Dog.com sells this the cheapest with their online discount deal during Thanksgiving. I guess it must be very popular. My order was a back order. I waited for three weeks for arrival. Their customer service was great. I got a response in 24 hours after posting my question on the website. The product looks great just like its picture. The quality is even better than some baby strollers. Lol. No kidding It's best features are no zipper and big sized jogger wheels. Very sturdy and smooth ride. The cushion is super soft. My baby toy poodle loves being inside since the first time. Assembly is required but very minimal. After unwrapping from the package, just snap wheels and a drink tray with the stroller. That easy! It also comes with a bonus rainproof cover. I love love this stroller. Best decision ever.Penpen

The little guy in our Yorkie trio can now go for a walk with his brothers safely. A little too small for road walks. This stroller looks good and is very smooth to stroll along. You can tell my little puppy loves the outdoors and our walks together.Lynn M.

My dog lily is 13 years old she can no longer walk the track with me. The stroller allows her to enjoy the outdoors and come along with me on my walks. I use it three times a week walking two miles. Very happy with this purchase.Nancy

This kennel is a must have especially if you have an energetic puppy like I do. We use it when she gets overstimulated from playing. It’s a nice safe retreat for her. We also use it when she’s a little too enthusiastic with my senior dachshund. It gives him a little break. She loves going into her kennel for a rest.dina.h

The perfect size for our needs. Sets up easily and constructed well. We could not find the same brand of cushion to fit, but another brand fit perfectly. Would fold down to transport easily.3pines

We have a powerfully built 40 pound mutt who can muscle her way out of her old crate by popping the single latched door open. We had to add an extra clip to the door to keep her in the crate, which is a pain getting the clip on and off to let her in and out. She can’t gorse the door on this crate open due to the double latches AND the extra “hook” on the tip that holds the latches in place. My little bulldozer can’t open this crate by force and go counter surfing, much to her dismay.TKettle

The product is sturdy but the screen door is not strong enough to stop a dog from scratching a hole in it. The zippers are weaker and not large enough. The frame is strong and easy to put together. I would add a divider to support a puppy through his stages of life and maybe a flap that covers the the bottom half of the door screen as an option if your pup is a scratcher. Great for portability and quick and easy to setup. All in all I like the product but would like to see a few upgrades.John

We looked thru many foldable traveling dog crates. So far, very happy with it. Several things I specifically looked for. Good quality zipper that clipped at the top when zipped. Mesh sides above clawing access (besides the front access). Ease of setting up & light weight. PetNation had it all. We have two 10# Havanese. Plenty of room to add blankets. Water & food bowls. Yes. I would recommend this to friends.suz anne

I am basing this review on inspection of the Crate, I have not actually used it yet. I bought it for a future trip. The crate appears to be well made. It was easy to set up and to take back down. This will be great for a crate trained dog. I would definitely not purchase or use this for a dog that is not crate trained. They would definitely be able to escape and ruin this with ease. I have an 81lb dog that is able to lay down in this crate comfortably.Melanie

Excellent build quality and design, definitely meets all the needs our our two border collies. The large size crate recommended for border collies provides more than enough space for them to be comfortable – they seem to love their crates!Nigel H.

I was so excited about the fantastic sales price on the crates! Ordered an i Crate in the large size, before I did the research. After research I realized I ordered the lowest-grade crate, not what I wanted. Tried to cancel the order to reorder the higher-grade Ultima Pro. After two calls, they did send a cancel through to see if it would work. (It didn't.) I didnt want to risk waiting and missing the sale so I ordered the Ultima Pro, had to be medium, because large was out of stock. Just opened it and, like others, got one that can't even be put together because it's so out of square. It can't even be bent into place it's so bad. This is one reason I HATE buying online. The only good part is I can at least return it to the local Petco instead of having to ship it back.Lotsa animals here

Great product. Very happy with the quality. Nice n heavy for my Mastiff pup. Comes with a divider that can be moved as he grows. Brilliant. Quick delivery. Great service. Very happy all roundVicky D.

This was a complete waste of my money. It was not durable as it claimed to be. It broke and I had to throw it away didnt even have it a day before was all bent out of shape and no longer able to use it a complete waste of my money. Really regret that I bought this crap . I didnt even want to give it a star but I had to give it at least a 1 starDevonna

I’m giving this 2 stars because the packaging SUCKED big time. The instructions was not in the box so I had to look on YouTube to figure out how to open the cage and then after I received my answer the instructions was in the tray which is at the bottom covered by paper. It was the dumbest thing ever because you cannot access the instructions until you put the cage together which hello defeats the purpose. Horrible!!!! Hopefully this cage is durable because one of the entry handles doesn’t seem secure when locked.Colneshia

This crate was perfect for my dog when he was a puppy. It had 2 doors to make finding a space for it easy and convenient. It also folds up so it can be easily tucked away when not in use. He slept in this every night and would lay in his crate when I left the house until he was potty trained and could be trusted alone for longer periods of time.jennifer.n

I promptly received the training crate but spent two hours on putting it together. The booklet's instructions were confusing beside the metal crate is not completely sturdy without having some type of snapping connectors to hold all four corners tightly. I was so drained by the time I realized that the four standing legs do not support the metal crate corners. Whatever you do, please do not sit on it, or place any heavy object on top of it. In doing so, you may cause it to collapse hence staring all over again with the assembly. Aside from that, the wood grain is nice as well as the metal product itself. Overall, my Shorkie did not like it at first but he is getting comfortable with it. Then again, it would have been really nicer if the front bottom wood placement slid inside as opposed to pushing it toward the tray. My puppy keeps pushing it away without much effort.Pauline

The most sturdiest thing of the end table dog crate is the crate itself. The wood is very flimsy. When the tables first arrived, the bottom pieces were broken and I had to call customer service to get replacement pieces which took two months to arrive. Since it’s a 3rd part seller you can’t just get a refund and ship back. I would not recommend this to anyone due to the quality and poor 3rd party customer service when you have problems.Krys3875

I did not read Hayneedle's return policy close enough before ordering. My husband put this together a few days ago and we are very disappointed in how flimsy it is. The bottom front panel comes off frequently and it just doesn't feel stable. The "magnets" have no strength to them. We wouldn't feel comfortable having a drink sit on top. When I went online today to submit the return request, I was shocked to see that the return shipping fee would be $43! So much for "satisfaction guarantee." There are plenty of other shopping sites that have a more understanding return policy- no one wants to return and deal with the hassle. However, when you are completely unsatisfied with a product you should be able to return and get most of your money back. If stability is what you are looking for- do not order this product!New pup

Everything about buying, assembling, and using our second Revol crate (we purchased our first, a Medium, last spring), was excellent, and our pup loves her new bigger digs. The company’s communication about the status of our pre-order was superb—well-timed, clear, and accurate. We weren’t expecting two boxes (I probably missed the detail in one of the emails), so were surprised when the second box arrived a few days after the first and only then noticed Box 1 on the first box. It would have been better if the box labeling had said Box 1 of 2 and Box 2 of 2, but that’s a quibble. The packaging did its job well and the instructions were both charming and easy to follow. The ONLY product design flaw in our opinion involves the last step of assembly: Handling and attaching the teeny-tiny screws in the four bottom corners. The allen wrench is ridiculously small (even for a woman’s hands), and getting the screws into their holes is incredibly difficult, from just getting them into the holes to fully tightening them. The placement of the screws, especially such small screws on an otherwise very large object, is i credibly awkward. Upshot: The holes are hard to reach because of the close proximity of the crate sides. It’s also hard to imagine that such tiny screws accomplish much of anything on such a large object. But that is our only negative criticism/observation. The product is overall superb—wildly expensive, yes, but very attractive and sturdy and safe. Kudos and thanks to the entire Diggs Revol team!!!Renee D.

I love the design and the customer service of the diggs crate. I had the medium slate gray size crate which is amazing in looks and design. I love how easy the front door opens. The medium size garage door I found to be not usable the way it folds in and up. I love the color and the design over all. I then ordered the large white crate when they came out with it. Again I loved the color and the look of it. I didn't like that they charged my card before I got the crate, nor did I like the price of the crate but they are the best crates on the market that I have seen so far. The large crate that I got the other day did have a large dent in the base which only effects the looks. For the price it would have been great to get the crate in mint shape. Their customer service is amazing so I might put in a call to them. The directions to put the large crate together could have been a little clearer about the ceiling or top of the crate. If you put it on the wrong way the garage door can't be put and I had to take it off and turn it around. This could be a lot clearer in the directions. Once I got it together I found the design on the large crate to be better for the garage door and I should be able to use it now but not as sturdy on the 4 pillars. I'm not crazy about the plastic inserts they look to fragile like they can easily break. I also found them hard to get in. Maybe I'm just spoiled since the medium crate was designed better and was put together when it was delivered. If either the medium crate or the large crate are in your budget they really are beautiful crates and I'm really glad I purchased them. I also bought the snooze beds and again the price is high but they are quality made. I'm still waiting for my large size snooze bed but I'd imagine I will get it soon.donna G.

I have a 30lb puppy who is expected to be closer to 50lbs when she’s an adult. I bought the intermediate crate. This crate is designed beautifully. It gets a lot of complements when people visit. It feels like a sturdy crate and the quality seems generally good save for a few joints on the front and back which got stuck for me. However, assembling it was a little difficult (they do recommend you have 2 people)—even inserting and removing the puppy divider is not easy. Taking it anywhere is impossible. It’s too long to fit in a standard sedan’s trunk. Also lifting it into the car (whether trunk or backseat) requires 2 people as well. Not convenient unless you live with other people. I think I’m going to wind up having to buy a wire crate anyways in order to travel with her. Also fwiw, this crate is the only crate she’s known (in our house) but she often prefers our friend’s dog’s wire crate haha. We wonder if part of it is the revol crate is tall whereas the large wire crate feels cozier so it’s something to consider. If you’re just looking for an aesthetic crate for your home, this is a nice choice. But if you’re looking for utility and multi-use for travel (and are interested in the intermediate or large size) just know you will need to buy a second travel crate or own an SUV.Elizabeth C.

There are so many awful crates/kennels out there! From the craptastically-made ones that double as end tables to the ugly, wiry kind… This Richell kennel is most excellent. The 4 wheels make it easy to move from room to room (and you can lock the wheels, too), assembly is easy, and the top opening is the best feature of all that I never thought about needing. This is a very solid, thoughtfully-designed, carefully manufactured crate for small and medium dogs–though I can't speak to how it would hold up to an obsessive chewer. Also great is that if you change your mind, just return it to your local Petco 🙂MCSZ

Beautiful and a roomy size for small or medium sized dogs. I've only had it for a while, but so far, very sturdy too. The tabs inside are great for pressing the edges of potty pads to keep them from scrunching up. The wheels are convenient, but unfortunately you can't lock all 4 and it slides on hard surfaces. The open doors are great also. I wish it had a slide out tray like the large black wire cages. It is hard to get yourself down and inside to wipe the floor of the kennel clean. Over all, it is attractive and comfortable for puppies and small dogs.selket

This crate is great! I have a recent rescue that is not fully housebroken. I needed a crate that I could keep in my living area that looked good and didn't take up a lot of space to use when I leave the house for more than an hour! He loves it. The wheels are great too as I can move it to another spot if I need to. Top access is great too because sometimes he doesn't want to come out! This was worth the money I spent and I have donated my old one to a shelter so double value!Barbara

I think it's a lovely large carrier but not suitable to carry over 10lbs. The clips which hold the top and base together are too flimsy to trust. Also, the way the plastic handle clips onto the wire roof is concerning. I used it to transfer my two kittens to our motorhome and used it as their bed but I wouldn't carry my 12lb cat in it.VIRGINIA

The first time I used was to get an injured cat with it eye tore out to the vet. I used the top door. On my way out the side door that I never touched spontaneously popped open and the cat escaped. After that I tried to fix it but the cheap little plastic knobs keep falling off. Its way too fiddly and too many things can go wrong for it to be dependable.Lornie