VarioCage Car Crates – A Safer Way to Travel with Your Dog

Your dog is not simply luggage in the car. They are a member of your family, and their safety is your responsibility every time you set off on a journey.

VarioCage is a range of car crates developed in Sweden by MIMsafe, with safety as the fundamental principle behind the entire construction. The crates are designed to be installed in the luggage compartment of passenger cars, and their construction has been developed with various accident scenarios in mind, as well as the safety of everyone in the car – both two- and four-legged passengers. VarioCage crates have been crash-tested and certified according to the SPCT (Safe Pet Crate Test) method at Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), a Swedish state-owned research institute.

Safety Worth Thinking About

Accidents can happen without warning. However, you can take steps to prepare for the risks associated with travelling by car – risks that are unfortunately often caused by someone else.

VarioCage crates feature telescopic side tubes that act as a crumple zone in the event of an accident, similar to those found in cars. The aim is to reduce the risks to both the dog and the other occupants of the vehicle. The purpose of the crumple zone is to absorb some of the impact forces generated in an accident and thereby minimise injuries and damage. In the event of an impact, the crate's construction deforms in a controlled manner inwards, without injuring the dog, rather than being uncontrollably propelled against the rear seat. The steel construction is also designed to prevent dangerous sharp tears or break points from forming in an accident.

The crate has an emergency escape hatch, which allows you to get the dog out of the crate even if the luggage compartment door can no longer be opened following an accident.

Fit the Crate to Your Car and Dog

Every dog and car is different in size, and unfortunately not every dog or crate will fit every car. Therefore, when choosing a crate, you should check in advance whether it is suitable for your vehicle and your dog. One practical feature of VarioCage is that, thanks to its telescopic tubes, the crate has an adjustable depth (length). This also makes it easier to move the crate from one car to another when needed.

There are different-sized crates available for transporting either one or two dogs. When choosing the right model, you need to consider both your dog's dimensions and the width, depth and height of your car's luggage compartment. If you are unsure which model to choose, get in touch and we will be happy to help you find the right solution!

Single or Double?

VarioCage Single is designed for one dog and leaves the other part of the luggage compartment free for other necessities. It is a good choice if you travel with one dog and want to retain space for luggage.

VarioCage Compact is designed for hatchback cars where the luggage compartment threshold is higher than the luggage compartment floor. It is primarily a crate for one dog, but it can also accommodate two or three smaller dogs.

VarioCage Double is designed for transporting two dogs in separate compartments. If the divider is removed, the crate can be used for one larger dog, and if desired, several of your dogs can also travel together in one compartment.

What to Consider Before Buying a VarioCage Crate?

How large is your dog and how many dogs do you have? This will help determine what size crate you need. What is the make, model and year of your car? MIMsafe has collected the necessary information for most vehicles, and the configurator table provides a quick answer to the question of which crate will fit your car.

Key Features of the VarioCage Crate:

• - Two-step door lock – The VarioCage door closes in two steps to ensure that it remains closed even in the event of an accident. Just like a regular car door.
• - Protection from all sides – if one of the luggage compartment windows breaks in an accident, the dog cannot fall out through it.
• - Adjustable depth – crash-tested VarioCage dog crates maximise the space available to your dog without compromising safety.
• - Emergency escape hatch – if the crate door cannot be opened from the luggage compartment side, the dog can be reached through the emergency escape hatch on the passenger compartment side.
• - Crumple zone – in the event of a rear-end collision, VarioCage and the car's safety system work together to create controlled deformation, helping to prevent a direct impact between the crate and the rear seat and ensuring safety for both the dog and passengers sitting in the rear.
• - Shockproof in all directions – VarioCage transport crates are tested for frontal and rear-end collisions as well as rollovers, using the SPCT (Safe Pet Crate Test) test protocol, and have been issued the corresponding certification.
• - Guaranteed air circulation – there are openings on all sides of the crate to allow air to circulate. Whether at training or travelling, you can safely leave your dog waiting in the car when necessary, taking weather conditions into account, of course (sun, heat and sub-zero temperatures). The doors can be locked.

When you choose VarioCage, you are not simply choosing a dog crate. You are choosing a safer way to set off on the road with your best friend.