using westjet to fly birds?

Can anyone share there experience using westjet to ship? I looked into it and they emailed me their very strange crating requirements for birds. I am not sure why you cannot use an airline approved dog crate???

Thank you!

I ship with Westjet all the time. You can ship in a dog crate but all of the holes and the crate door must be covered with a fine screen that you use on doors and windows . This is to prevent anyone from getting pecked or bitten. I like to use those clear garage totes that you can buy at walmart. I drill holes in the top and high on the sides and then cover the holes with the mesh securing with tuck tape or the like. I like them as then you don't have the problem with shavings escaping which is a problem with dog kennels so you should line the doors half way up with cardboard.

Also with the totes you can drill a hole at either end on the top to secure the flaps down with tye-tye's or screws to make them escape proof.

These rules are in place because someone shipped in cardboard boxes way back when and the boxes were not secure and the birds escaped in flight crapping all over peoples luggage etc.

If you think westjet is strict try Air Canada. I never ship though air canada due to the rules and the price. Westjet is much easier to deal with and very helpful as a rule.

Heather

I just shipped 4 rabbits with Westjet in two wood 2x1x1ft boxes to Toronto and it cost 350 dollars to ship. It is very easy to do.

Piet

Oh thank you heather for the advice! I was not sure how to either get a crate to her or where one would get the wooden crates they give as an example ( short of making them and I am not so sure the seller is into making a crate! The totes sound relative easy to make.

Anne