Hi all

I wonder if you would mind advising me which (in your opinions) whelping/puppy pen you would reccommend please?  I breed cats and already have a Snowsilk pen which I use for kittening, it is a fair size and seeing as though my breed is toy, I think I should be okay to use this for whelping.  I am aware however, that I won't be able to use it for very long.  I have been looking at the Crufts Freedom puppy pen.  Does anyone have any experience of it - good/bad points?

Thank you :)

I have found the Crufts Freedom Puppy pen to absolutely excellent. Can't think of any downsides at all. It is very strong, fits togther easily, takes apart easily, easy to clean and  on a lighter note, is still very good for containing excitable oldies whilst waiting for their dinner

I used two of the Croft pens for my medium breed (8 pups) when they got too big for the whelping box :)  They're great, sturdy, secure, outdoor friendly and easily moved around etc - would definitely recommend them :)  It was cheaper at the time to buy two than add extra panels and meant I had an additional gate but if you have a small breed one will probably be enough anyway.

I bought direct from CROFT but there are often special offers in the dog press, Crufts etc.

HTH, Teri

Meant to say that I bought mine second hand at half price and you could not tell that it had been used. I got it of Agilitynet. Absolute bargain!

I have a smallish breed to, had every type of pen you can think of and would not go past the croft pens now. I haev the whole pen with 2 additional panels. It is perfect.  Buy a  2.5 x 2.5m bit of cushion floor for underneath and it is pefect. I use it right up till the pup or pups I keep are 6 months old as their bed to..

I've borrowed a Freedom pen from my friend and it's great - she says it's the best one around too. :-)

I have a croft playpen with extensions and extra base. They are wonderful but the only problem I found was that the base does not fit snugly into the pen, it has a gap of about an inch around it. I tucked the vet bed into the gap but next time I use it I will buy some lino for the base and use that instead. They are very sturdy, easily cleaned and virtually escape proof, one of my pups managed to climb out of it a few times.
I also use the croft upvc whelping box, it's brilliant. Good luck with your impending litter

Thanks for the reccys everyone, I really appreciate it :)

I don't have a litter on the way at the mo, just looking ahead.  I want to be totally prepared.  Oh I do have a cat going to stud at the weekend if that counts LOL

There are similar models to the Croft Freedom Pen on e-bay here: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Puppy-play-pen-dog-cage-xpen-rabbit-exercise-pen_W0QQitemZ330201140766QQihZ014QQcategoryZ109129QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem  and they are a fair bit cheaper too!

I have two Croft pens and would be without them.

>I have two Croft pens and would be without them. 

..........don't you mean "wouldn't" :D

I used one with additional panels when I had my litter, on recommendations from others

I have the same pen and use it for my Spanish and Pomeranian's.  The gap does worry me though!!

Seems pointless having a base if it doesn't make it leak proof.

I have to say we have used disposable whelping boxes for the last 3 litters and I am very pleased with them. Although there is some cost incurred each time, I think that is offset by my peace of mind when it is burnt at the very end therefore preventing any risk of cross contamination at all.

OCDs????!!!!

..........don't you mean "wouldn't"

Whoops, yes I did mean to say WOULDN'T.....;)  

hello,
a babys cot bumper is handy to fastnen around the inside of pen,
stops any drafts and fits nicely into the gap..
jayne
xx