DIY Recycled Small Pet Carrier Backpack

 by komecake
Featured
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 Being a pet owner and lover I like to give my pets as much freedom as possible. I have been looking for a backpack pet carrier that I can strap on my back and go for a bike ride to bring my pets with me to the park. The problem? Most pet carriers are for dogs or cats, they have a large hole for the animal to poke their head out of, they are NOT a backpack, or the netting made to keep air flowing is made from a mesh material that my pets can chew threw. How, you say? I have pet rats.

 I needed a sturdy material that would not collapse on top of them, but I also didn't want to make the carrier from scratch. I knew I had to have some things around the house.

 *Note* 

1. You can use ANY purse/backpack in ANY SIZE that is sturdy enough to hold itself up. I simply used this because I already had it at home though I plan to make a larger one.

2. This item is meant to be NO SEW. You have the option to use a large industrial needle and thread where I instead drilled holes and used twisty ties. I wanted to create this animal friendly as small animals can ingest thread and get sick/die from it. I also wanted it to be something anyone could make and shorten the time down by using twisty ties (which it does a lot!).
 
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Step 1: Step 1: Gathering Materials

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 Here's what you will need to complete this project (I didn't take pictures of everything!):

1. A sturdy purse/backback.
2. Chicken wire, galvanized wire, mesh wire (whatever is suitable for you pet)
3. Wire cutters.
4. Materal.
5.Scissors.
6.Twisty ties.
7. A drill (I did not use one to make the holes, but I suggest you do! Using scissors worked, but I ended up cutting my finger.) :(
8.Permanent marker.
9. Yarn/ribbon/thread.
10. Backpack straps. (Skip if you are using a backpack.)

 I found all of these items around my house. You may not have all of these things, but you should be able to find an old purse/backpack at a thrift store or maybe from a friend. You can use old clothing for the material; just cut it up. The backpack straps can be cut off an old backpack found at home or at thrift shop.

SIRJAMES09 says: Aug 23, 2012. 9:08 AM
another idea for cutting the hole where the galvanized wire goes, would be to place a board inside where you're gonna cut & use a utility knife to cut the hole. not saying my idea is better, it's just another idea on cutting the hole you need....and I love the drill idea!

awesome instructable!! TY for sharing. I can see this ible be modified for many other types of small pets. @-@
O
komecake (author) in reply to SIRJAMES09Mar 27, 2013. 2:01 AM
Thanks. It was a fun project, although not completely usable, a good first try. :)
SIRJAMES09 in reply to komecakeMar 27, 2013. 4:38 AM
Ms.Komecake:
You are quite welcome Ma'am. : )
Maybe something in a hard plastic??
Or a cage of some sort with straps?
I'm just thinking out loud & off the top of my head....
I've seen strollers for dogs & cats....maybe something like that for your sweet babies?
Again, just another hairbrain idea,,,,
Regardless, TY for sharing, I wish you & your family the best life has to offer.
maka says: Oct 20, 2011. 6:43 AM
i found this by searching "sugar glider"... figured i'd post, just as a warning to others who come here via the same search:

If you're making this (or anything else) for a sugar glider,
Do Not Use Galvanized Wire!!

Galvanized wire has been implicated in major health problems in sugar gliders. A quick Google search will verify this.

i have used galvanized wire with rats and reptiles without any problems, though. :)
komecake (author) in reply to makaMar 27, 2013. 2:01 AM
That's good to know! I did not know that. Thanks for sharing. :)
maka in reply to komecakeMar 27, 2013. 2:11 AM
You're welcome. I think this is a really cute idea! I'm planning to do something similar soon. I rarely take my gliders away from home at all, but recently I took one of them who is elderly (and therefore pretty calm and pleased to just curl up and sleep) with me when I had to go visit my husband's grandmother. It delighted her so much, I want to have a more secure way to get him over there more often. :)
reedz says: Oct 25, 2009. 9:00 AM
I fail to see where the recycled small pets are in this instructable.
komecake (author) in reply to reedzMar 27, 2013. 2:02 AM
This really is my favorite comment ever. Thank you. Haha.
meepie2323 says: Mar 25, 2013. 11:47 AM
can you do this for gerbils as well, looks awesome by the way! and my other question is what inner stuff would be the best for a gerbil as they chew and gnaw on pretty much anything! thank you if you do reply!
komecake (author) in reply to meepie2323Mar 27, 2013. 1:56 AM
You could try using metal rings or wrap wire. Just make sure to bend down the ends with pliers since they are sharp. I imagine anything would work although I recommend using something sturdy so that your pet doesn't get squished, or lining it with something sturdy.
katerlyn says: Jan 31, 2013. 9:45 PM
I would love to see the pet in action in the bag walking with you so to speak. 8-)
komecake (author) in reply to katerlynFeb 1, 2013. 7:10 PM
I Goodwilled it awhile back. It needed lining on the inside, which never got sewn in. It was fun to make though. :)
chloemuffins says: Feb 27, 2011. 7:50 AM
I was thinking of making something like this for my rabbit.
this help alot :) i just have to find a nice big bag for my bunny :)

thanks xx
ferretomo says: Dec 8, 2010. 10:41 PM
Wow That insane... i would have never thought of that ... thanks for the instructible it helped with my ferret.
KDiggins says: Jun 17, 2010. 9:21 AM
Well this is great . I have cats and a soft cat carrier costs 80.00 and upwards. I have been wanting to make my own so this is good inspiration,thanks
JolieK says: Feb 26, 2010. 11:50 PM
 lucky ratties!
Yerboogieman says: Oct 24, 2009. 11:20 AM
My bird Rocky would be FLIPPING out.
crapflinger says: Oct 23, 2009. 1:34 PM
nothing like a rat tote on a friday evening bike ride eh?

just don't forget you're wearing it if you pop in to your local cafe for a snack on your way to the park, might create a stir
komecake (author) in reply to crapflingerOct 23, 2009. 10:25 PM
  LOL. Um... yeah. I'm not sure how well that would go. I was actually thinking of creating one that had a detachable cover over the opening, but I'd rather they not suffocate to death. 

 The main point of this is to create a pet a carrier from home.

 For me, it was to create one for rats as they only make big ugly plastic ones for them. Having it as a backpack is just a bonus. ;)
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