I really need to get new crates/dog cage for my Subaru Imprezza Estate.....Can anyone recommend some...the boot has a large lip...but is urgent...I never want my dogs to experience another day like today...

Went on a little trip with only Summer in the car (if going anywhere each dog takes a turn in coming with me on their own)  but...some idiot flying towards me on my side of the road took no notice of my flashing lights at him etc...luckily I had a farm opening (gate closed) coming up and managed to scrape the car round into the field.  Car never even stopped....Summer was whimpering in the back. So I said it ok babes...and turned roung...the crate which started off in the boot was just behind my drivers seat, not only that, it hadn't slid... it had rolled and poor babes was upside down...I couldnt get her out...the crate had jammed itself cornerwise against the roof of the car and the opening was facing the roof..the side gate wouldnt open because of the width of the crate.....I finally got the crate righted (ripping the interior and gouging the paneling....but Summer was quite safe but very very shaken....

I have looked on every webiste I can think of or found by googling, but none seem to do a standard for the Imprezza!

This is probably an obvious answer Kay, but have you been in touch with Barjo?

They do made to measure crates/dog cages for any make of car. Give them a call or email, if you haven't already ;)

At the moment I just have a dog guard that is fixed into my car by the main dealer that I bought it from, had it fitted from new by them. But it's not ideal and when I can afford it, I will get them to make my cage for the estate part of the car. Unless I can buy one from the dog classifieds. :)

What an awful experience for you and Summer
Hope that you feel ok soon. Some people shouldn't be on the roads

I'm sure people will be along soon to tell you their favourites.
I personally have a guardsman double cage with divider and escape doors.
I have 3 Boxers which fit in fine - but I could not fit another adult Boxer in.
One thing I will say is it's very heavy - and sits over my spare wheel in the boot
So I'd probably struggle to get the cage out to get to my spare wheel if on my own.
But this is the second guardsmen I've owned. They are very strong!
They also say on their website that they have a cage for vehicles with a lip.
Think it's the Sherwood cage but they don't come cheap prices from £499.
I've heard favourable reports about Barnesbrook and Barjo's too.

What it's important to ask for when buying any car cage
Has it got rear (or some might say front) escape doors
(if you are hit in the rear you will still be able to get your dogs out through the  rear passenger doors etc)
and perhaps a removeable divider.
Some cage don't have rear escape doors - and those I personally wouldn't buy.

Rear Seat Guards and tailgate guards are also available from some of these companies.
They give you the option of using the full rear boot floor space so can be more useful
if you've got big dogs BUT no good if you've got a car protective dog as they can gain full access
to your windows and if you've got a chewer they've still got access to your headlining and sides of your
car including the light panels.... (I had my headlining in another car chewed by one of my charmers )
Also not sure how strong they'd be in a rear end bump. As the tailgate guard has to be fixed by screws into your car.

Barjo - http://www.barjo.co.uk or tel: 0118 9890240
MMG Guards and Cages - http://www.mmgguards.co.uk or tel: 01406 426047
Lintran - http://www.lintran-products.co.uk or tel: 01673 885959
Barnesbrook Cages - http://www.dogcages.net or tel: 01243 552330
Athag Ltd/Guardsman - [url=]www.dogcages.uk.com[/url] or tel: 01827 713040

You may be able to pick cages secondhand but I guess for you time is of the essence.

Hope this helps some
Kirstine

If you are looking for a crate I got my last one from ebay. 24 hour delivery if urgent or 48 hour. They can always be fixed in by strapping to back seat. Otherwise Barjo or www.mmgguards.co.uk   or
www.lintran-products.co.uk

Linran every time for me!  Makes every journey safe and secure. 

Hi Kay
I've a Subaru Impreza too & have a Lintran box It's brilliant, bit fiddly to get into the boot but I went to them so they fitted it for me I opted for two doors & a divider  & an escape hatch, which bumped up the price but it's worth it.No dog hairs in the car ia a bonus !

Mine's the newer model but they have templates for all the Imprezas. really nice company & they make a decent cup of coffee too ;)

Forgot to add that mine fits with the backseats up & never moves even though I never have the backseats up ;)

I did have(well I still have)mesh purpose crates that fitted my first two Impreza's perfectly & could either be just the luggage area or the whole of the back of the car. When they changed the design I had to have them altered & I couldn't get the back seat up & shut the door hence the new Lintran box last year

Many thanks everyone.  Jo, yes I actually had telephoned Barjo just before Christmas and got voicemail...left a couple of messages, but no-one has got back to me....After looking at all the links (many thank you's :) )  I think Lintran will be my best option...dearer yes, but worth it...

Yes we are fine,  wasn't a really serious incident, but it made me really sit up and think about what could have happened... Normally I have two crates in the car with back seats down, and for the life of me can't remember why I removed the smaller one....If it had still been in, there would have been no problem as the crates were quite a tight fit when together.....

Off to phone Lintran :D

Barnesbrook, very high quality, silent, short lead time, and he will make custom made cages for any type of vehicle MUCH less expensively than  Barjo etc.  Also will add extras such as lead hooks etc.

Had two from him for two different vehicles and cannot fault them.

The plus point for Dave is that he designs cages that can be unfolded and erected in the car to maximise roof space etc, whereas most other makes, especially those that are static and CANNOT be folded, have to be made smaller to fit the maximum opening space at the back.

Would never use another make now.......