Pet Gear Generation II Deluxe Portable Soft Crate for cats and dogs up to 50-pounds, Light Lavender

Earlier this year I needed to move coast to coast, and decided to drive my 2 cats with me instead of hiring a pet mover. The only problem is that regular cat carriers are way too small for a 5-day trip- the cats need to be able to move around and have a cat litter tray/food dish inside. My other problem was that I had a 2-door Honda Civic, and so needed something not huge that would fit in the back seat. This is the perfect size- it just fits in the back of a Civic, as long as you turn it on its side so the front faces down (the normal way it's too tall and not deep enough). The cats had room for food, cat litter tray, and two regular size cat carriers to go *inside* the crate so they could curl up inside the carriers or roam around the crate/sleep ontop of the carriers. It helped make a small amount of space seem bigger for them, and they were surprisingly calm for the whole 5 day trip! The only thing I should add is if you put this in the back of a 2-door like my car, it's too big to pull out of the seat while "expanded." So, each night I had to get them inside their regular carriers, pull the carriers out of the car, collapse this big crate, and then set up the crate in the motel room/put the carriers inside before letting them back out inside the crate. It was a little bit of a pain, but the cats appreciated having the larger space and being able to stay in the same space the whole trip- exposing them to different spaces on a trip just stresses them out too much. I'd also advise keeping a blanket over the crate while they're in the motel, otherwise they'll meow and want to explore the room, but it's way less stress/safer for them if you just keep them in the crate and make them forget about what's going on/their surroundings outside of the crate. It took me awhile to figure this plan out, so hopefully anyone else who has to do what I did will read this and save themselves some time and stress.The crate itself is sturdy and easy to deploy/collapse, as long as it's just cats and you're only using it once in awhile, it should hold up no problem. Can't say what would happen if you had a dog that scratches, or if you used it every day though. It held up no problem for the 5 days I needed it, that's all I care about!

I needed new travel crates for my two Boxers ... we go to obedience classes, fun matches, and trials. I wanted something lightweight and easy to set up/tear down. I researched a bunch of them.The Pet Gear Generation II Deluxe Portable Soft Crate is just what I wanted and I'm very pleased. I got this one (green) for my boy and the next smaller size (blue) for my girl.Pros: *Very lightweight *Easy to set up and tear down *Great ventilation *Sturdy - at least as sturdy as you can get with a soft-sided crate *Carrying handle *Stores and transports easily because of fairly compact size *Two removable bags for carrying stuffCons: *Top tends to sag a little, but doesn't crate a problem *Included pad is worthless - and hot. I just throw in a dog blanket or bathroom rug (and leave it in the crate when I collapse it down).All in all, I'm very pleased with this purchase. But here's a WARNING: If your dog chews or uses his paws a lot, he could well destroy this crate. The mesh is relatively thick, but NO mesh (except wire) is going to withstand chewing or digging.TIP: When you get a new crate, set it up and let your dog explore first. Do NOT force her into it right off the bat. After the initial exploration (so the dog can get used to the look/smell of the crate), open the door and allow further exploration. Then toss in a toy or treat. In other words, let your dog get used to it before you want her to go in there. Otherwise, you may be setting yourself up for the Great Escape and a destroyed crate. This tip comes from first-hand experience. :)

I would probably rate this 5 stars once I'd had a chance to use it for a while. I went to a great deal of trouble and expense to have it shipped to me in Mexico. Unfortunately it came with no instructions for breaking down. The set up was intuitive and clear from the pictures on the box. When I picked it up at the shipping office, I set it up to make sure all was in order. Unfortunately, it was after dark and I had to break it down to take it with me. The lighting conditions were poor at best so I could not see how to release the joints. I looked on and in the box for instructions NOTHING. (There is a rounded button I found the next morning which, when pressed hard, releases the tension so it can be collapsed.)In the end I forced and damaged the joints and now I have a somewhat useless crate which I can't afford to ship back. A simple picture referencing the "collapse button" would have made the difference between having and not having what appears would have been a great crate. I'm now not only without a crate, but I'm out the cost of the crate and the hefty shipping expenses. You can imagine my frustration and disappointment.I love that it has three doors; one in front, one on the side and one on top. Just wish I could use it. It's larger, bulkier; heavier but much sturdier than the wonderful General Cage canvas crate I transported, first my golden retriever and later my English Setters in to and from competition for many years.Now, here I am in San Miguel, Mexico with no way to travel with my dog.

We have an 85 pound Rhodesian Ridgeback who had outgrown her previous soft sided crate. Most crates either ended at 70 pounds or started at 90 - too small or too large!!! The mesh on this crate is sturdier and better constructed than the previous brand we had, and the additional compartments are very handy for storage. The picture shows vinyl corners on the crate, and I assumed, mistakenly that the vinyl continued underneath the crate as well - it does not. Our dog's previous crate had the other coating on the bottom which was very handy as we travel in rainy weather and it was good added protection. The crate is excellent in terms of ease of assembly, and taking it down. We take our crate into hotels at night and back to our truck the next day, and the ease with which it transfers is a real plus. The overall fabric of this crate is lighter than our previous brand, and that may be a factor for consideration. The zipper is excellent and our dog has yet to master unzipping it. We are very pleased with our new purchase and with the speed of delivery to our home. A smooth transaction.

The best thing about this crate is its dimensions. It's difficult to find a crate that is high enough without being super long and wide. I wanted a crate tall enough for my Whippet to be able to sit in but the standard 30 x 42 just takes up too much room and is way too big - except for the height. This one fit the bill - well if he slouches just a little bit.It is, however, cheaply made. The material, mesh, and zippers are lighter weight than all the other soft sided crates I have used. The metal bars are not very sturdy and do not rest flat on the bottom of the crate. I think this crate will wear out quickly with regular set-up/take-down use.But it's a nice colour and it's nice to have the pads and storage pockets.

I have several soft sided crates but I like this one best. It is the easiest to erect and fold and the screen is reasonably strong. It has already survived scratching from my dog (who is not trying to get out). The only shortfall is that there are no covers for the windows. However, the cover comes off the frame easily and I just stitched some Velcro patches by windows and doors and made some simple square window covers that I keep in the top bag for when I need them. The removable bag is great for leashes and show supplies. The crate itself folds to a compact size, is light and easy to carry. If your dog is happy in crates and doesn’t try to get out, then I highly recommend this product. (I would actually give it 4.5 only because of the lack of covers. )

This portable dog crate is the best. My dog loves it and sleeps in it even during the day. Durable zippers, so no issues when she is zipped in. Only drawback is there is no way to leave water inside that is secure (I tried to leave a small bowl and she ended up knocking it over as there is no spot to clip anything on. Overall, great product.

I love it!!! My beagle mix fits perfectly in it with a little room to spare! I like the mat & bed that come with it, though I think it would be better if the bed was foam, as "fluffy" beds tend to flatten or bunch up over time. I'm impressed by the materials used for the windows. I was only expecting a thin mesh, but they used a much stronger plastic "mesh." By the way, it IS purple! A bluish-purple that appears blue with direct sunlight hitting it, but it is definitely purple.