Unsafe Carrier

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to warn you about the following carrier. It is called the Marchioro Clipper Aran 2 Pet Carrier:

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Marchioro-Clipper-Carrier-22-25-inches-Green/dp/B004HU4U2S/ref=pd_sim_sbs_petsupplies_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=0947THSHVM3AF3PJKBH1]Amazon.com : Marchioro Clipper Aran 2 Pet Carrier, 22.25-inches, Tan/Green : Hard Sided Pet Carriers : Pet Supplies[/ame]

It actually is a great carrier in lots of ways; I used it to take my parrot outside, and I like the open top and size. The doors and top felt like solid steel. But one day may parrot was chewing on the door, and he peeled off a one inch strip of some kind of silver coating; it felt like thick tinfoil.

I contacted the company, and after much back and forth, it turns out that it is made with a zinc coating on a steel base. Needless to say, I got rid of it.

In their defense, the cage is not marketed specifically for parrots, and maybe zinc isn't an issue for other animals, but I thought people here should know. This was also a year ago, and it is possible that they've changed their production process, but I really doubt it.

What you describe of the silver coating that looked like tinfoil is what is peeling off of Valentino's carrier. This was the carrier he was shipped to me in. I did call his breeder and she has since switched carriers after contacting the manufacture to find out more.

I think I need to replace it because of your post. I wish I could find one made of stainless steel. I do have the kings aluminum one which is good to put him in when I am power washing his cage outside. He does really well in that carrier but it would be very cumbersome to take to the vet or when I take Valentino to his play dates.

Can anyone out there recommend a safer carrier for a RFM? I will take out the fantastic perch his breeder put in the carrier and install it in the new one. It is natural wood and the perfect size for the strange cliff dwelling RFM talons.

Here is a picture of Valentino's "safer" carrier. That thing was extremely expensive and I cannot fork out that kind of money for another carrier.

Hi Noblemacaw,
I'm afraid I cant give you a specific recommendation. I searched and searched for a stainless carrier, but could never find one. You could have one custom made, but that would be super expensive and probably heavier than the one you now have.

I ended up using a Petmate carrier after contacting the manufacturer and being assured that the metal parts were not zinc plated. But I looked through my e-mail and I can't find a record of this conversation, so I might have called them (or it is on another computer).

Given that I don't have have any written documentation that these carriers don't contain zinc plating, I don't want to recommend them to you. Instead, I would strongly suggest that you first contact several manufacturers by email before buying a carrier. I would make it clear in the email that zinc can kill parrots, so that they actually do the legwork to check if there is any zinc plating rather than just saying "all our carriers are safe for pets."

I think I will need to look more at types of carriers to replace the one I am using for short trips and vet visits. I use the Kings carrier when power washing Valentino's cage because he has to be in something as I am getting the monster cage out of the house onto the patio. Sometimes if weather permits I take Valentino in the Kings carrier outside with me so he can get some fresh air and be with me.

I wish this was more easy to find an acceptable safe carrier for a parrot as large/strong as a RFM. This will be my challenge.

We have puppy crates at work which I was thinking of getting, now I'm wondering if the black stuff that its coated in is bad or not...

sam4life said:

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to warn you about the following carrier. It is called the Marchioro Clipper Aran 2 Pet Carrier:

Amazon.com : Marchioro Clipper Aran 2 Pet Carrier, 22.25-inches, Tan/Green : Hard Sided Pet Carriers : Pet Supplies

It actually is a great carrier in lots of ways; I used it to take my parrot outside, and I like the open top and size. The doors and top felt like solid steel. But one day may parrot was chewing on the door, and he peeled off a one inch strip of some kind of silver coating; it felt like thick tinfoil.

I contacted the company, and after much back and forth, it turns out that it is made with a zinc coating on a steel base. Needless to say, I got rid of it.

In their defense, the cage is not marketed specifically for parrots, and maybe zinc isn't an issue for other animals, but I thought people here should know. This was also a year ago, and it is possible that they've changed their production process, but I really doubt it.

Click to expand...

Thanks For the Heads Up !!!

Joe