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A traveling purse for a rat? (08/2004)
| CUSTOMER | CELLTEI |
I love the design of your Petite A carrier. I am looking for a "purse-like"
carrier for my pet rat. However, I am worried that he may be able to chew
through the mesh. I know you are working on a ferret tote - any chance of
doing a smaller version for rats? Or modifying the Petite A? (I would put in
a good word for you on the RatList discussion group!) :-)
I had another question; in other small totes I've seen, the zippers don't
meet up all the way - there are spaces through which my rat could escape. On
your carriers, do the zippers close completely, with no "escape hole" for a
rat to climb out of?
Thanks very much for any info you can provide. I'd really like to carry
Sherman around "incognito" in something stylish that resembles a purse.
Sincerely,
S. Wussow
Colgate, WI
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We can do a rat carrier with the side mesh of stainless steel. If you think
of any specific requirements, we would love to learn from you as we have not
had a pet rat amongst ourselves.
The key to the zipper is on the zipper head and the size of the zipper. We
use a zipper head that has a locking device to prevent it from slide
backward when force is applied. Sometimes you find bag opens by itself when
it is in motion - the weight may cause to zipper to unzip. The size of the
head also matters, the bigger the zipper, the bigger the hole in the closure
between the zipper head and the end of the zipper cloth. We use double
zipper heads so when they are 'parked', there can be very small gap in
between. This way, you can also have the zipper closed on the top of the
carrier, instead of the bottom, where the rat can comfortable find ways to
escape.
Oh boy, you travel with you pet rat too! It'd better be in style :-) !
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Well, what I think I'm interested in is a Black Classic, Petite Pak-O-Pet.
I'd like to discuss the following, and if you could let me know a price, I'd
appreciate it. No rush.
First, I would like to know if the stainless stell mesh appears black, like
the regular mesh, and if the ventilation would be as good. I would like
Sherman to be rather "invisible" inside, and the coordinating black
fabric/black mesh makes the carrier really appear to be "just a purse". :-)
You asked about my suggestions for a specific rat carrier, and here they
are. My concerns woud be:
A) The zippers, as we discussed. You have given me confidence that this
would not be a problem because the zippers are secure *and* they could be
placed at the top of the bag where a rat would be highly unlikely to reach.
The only suggestion I would have would be for them to be able to be secured
by Velcro in some way, if you could think of something attractive and
inconspicuous. I don't know if this is a consideration for ferret owners as
well... ferret and rats seem to have very dextrous "hands"! :-)
B) The "hole" for the water bottle. If I'm understanding your description
correctly, there is a space for the metal tube from a water bottle to be
inserted into the body the newest models? This would present an opportunity
for a rat to enlarge it by gnawing, and escape, so I wouldn't want that as a
rat owner.
C) Whether the mesh (of either kind) would have a rough, unbound edge on the
interior of the bag - the stainless steel could scrape and injure a rat's
eyes, and a loose edge of the regular mesh might enable him to snag his
front paws on it and twist a leg. It would have to be bound.
All the other features seem just great for a rat!
I would not need a cellphone pouch OR a shoulder strap OR water bottle pouch
(though of course I will take water for Sherman with me!)
Rats are such curious, secure animals - I have been told that since Sherman
is an "only" rat (we adopted him as an adult from the Humane Society, so
therefore can not introduce him, at this late age, to a cage-mate), he needs
a lot of sensory stimulation so he will not be bored. I think that taking
him places with me during good weather would be really enjoyable for him. I
did take him with me out to my garden yesterday (in a cat carrier) and he
seemed to love the fresh air - and then curled up to take a nap. :-)
Well, thank you for considering these options. I look forward to hearing
what you think! You make lovely products and I think they really enrich the
lives of pets *and* their owners - what a great way to make a difference in
the world.
Thanks!
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We will need to add $60 (to the regular price) to cover the labor for hand-cutting and specially made one for you.
The stainless steel mesh only comes in silver color (its natural color). Coating it with paint may not be a good idea as it reduces the airflow. A curtain (in black color lining material) can be covered the mesh from inside. Or it may be possible for us to do a rolled up curtain (like
that in our Pak-o-Bird) with body material from the outside.
Velcro don't secure a closure that well, particularly if the closure
helps to form the structural shape. The zipper with the auto-locked
function will do a better job.
The water bottle holder is placed inside by the door and not accessible to the outside.
These are very densed mesh with 100x100 thread per square inch. Each thread is 0.0035mm in diameter. We will first wrap the mesh with a plactic PVC before sewing them together with the body materials. Our seamsters do
have their figure or wrist cut while sewing the first plactic PVC on so that the user don't have the same experience!
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Angie, one more thing - the interior bottom of a rat tote would have to be
"grippable" - i.e., fleece or fabric, so that the rat wouldn't slide around!
If I remember correctly, your bags already have a fuzzy fleece bottom in
them...
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Almost a year later (05/2005), we have made the specific carrier for small animal
(Pak-o-Small):
www.celltei.com/cepa.html
Just to update on some of your questions:
1. The stainless steel mesh is densed with a side curtain inside if it is
still needed to cover the side.
2. The water feeder is strapped inside (the picture does not show it yet but
toward the back wall, there are two elastic band to strap it)
3. Closure/opening - no velcro needed, can park the zipper up
Well, we got a kick in making the sugar glider carrier. It is a fun world.
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