A blue lamp and siren could have been a useful addition. (Pet Gear AT3 Pet Stroller)

Member Name: goosey

Product:	Pet Gear AT3 Pet Stroller
Date:	28/07/09 (203 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Comfortable transport for sick or disabled animals.

Disadvantages: none

Have you noticed that any problems requiring immediate attention will invariably occur late at night, over the weekend or on a bank-holiday?

No surprises then, if I tell you that late one Friday evening, a few weeks ago, my collie-cross Moses showed signs of an upset stomach. He was restless and could not settle for the night. Normally when this happens, (which is not often, thankfully) he will pop outside and self medicate with grass, either to induce the immediate elimination of the offending irritant, or just to calm his gippy tum.

I wasn't unduly worried at this point, but as the night wore on, I realised that a visit to the vet next day was on the cards. It was obvious that he was still uncomfortable and couldn't keep water down for long either.

Because it was the weekend, our local veterinary surgery didn't open until 11.00am.
The sun was shining in a cloudless sky and the air heating up very quickly, so Moses, I knew would be dehydrating and really did need to be examined and treated that morning, so I hurriedly made an appointment through the emergency service, for midday.

My car was standing out in the sun and despite my having left the windows wide open, the cabin was becoming too warm for comfort - I was cursing my cynicism regarding air-conditioning in cars and my worries increased along with the temperature, it would have made his condition much worse, driving him to the vets, over a mile away and he certainly could not have walked there without causing further deterioration.

Panic mode was very close, when suddenly I remembered that our pet shop sold 'Pet Strollers.' These look very much like the three-wheeled pushchairs for children, but are designed specifically for small animals. My feeling was, that this was the kindest and safest way to transport him on such a hot day.

A neighbour kindly kept an eye on him for me whilst I drove down to purchase the stroller. Fortunately, there was one left, the box didn't look very big, sat high upon the shelf, but by the time it was lowered to the floor I knew it would be be too heavyfor me to carry to and from the car. The shop proprietor very kindly removed it from the box and assembled it there and then, taking approximately 20 minutes, after which I was able to wheel, rather than carry it.

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THE AT3 PET STROLLER:
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Anyone who didn't know it was designed for pets, could be forgiven for thinking the stroller to be a three-wheeled pram for babies.
A strong, fabric carriage is suspended between the rugged, silver-grey, aluminium frame and attached, by means of a series of fabric flaps, extending from the carriage edges, screwed firmley to the framework. There is a short (8 inch by 29 inch ) pouch or pocket, sewn under the front section of the carriage floor, into which the first 8 inches of frame is slotted; apart from this small section, the bottom of the carriage is unsupported, so although the materials, in themselves, are strong, it is recommended that the maximum weight of the animal should not exceed 60 pounds (27Kg)

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THE CARRIAGE
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The picture (I have) shows a small animal zipped into a red carriage, with black mesh windows; these are made of a strong, flexible plastic.
There are four main panels of mesh. Two at the front, one on the canopy and one small retangular shaped window (not shown) at the rear; there are two additional, tiny side panels. A zip joins the canopy to the wide, front mesh which, when unfastened, can be lowered to allow easy access to the animal. When the canopy is folded back, the stroller takes on the appearance of a regular pram.
A second zip at the rear, when unfastened, reveals another point of entrance or exit for the pet; useful when the canopy is raised and zipped to the front.
The floor of the carriage, with its removable, padded cushion, is 29 inches (74cm) long and 14 inches (36cm) wide and will comfortably accommodate a small to medium sized animal weighing up to 60 pounds (27Kg)

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ACCESSORIES
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A waterproof weather cover is supplied, which can be placed directly over the carriage in the event of a shower and when not in use, stowed away in the handy, fabric storage basket slung underneath. The recommended maximum weight the basket can withstand is 6 pounds(2.7Kg)

A grey, plastic pet tray is also supplied, which can be clicked into place on the handle of the stroller. It looks like a tray to hold two beakers and a sandwich or two - maybe designed with picnics in mind:-D

For some reason, and I have not yet managed to work out why, there is a plastic, triangular shaped footplate, over the front wheel.

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FRAMEWORK AND DIMENSIONS:
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The frame is made from (2.5cm diameter) tubular aluminium. When bought from new, comes folded, with the carriage and mesh basket already attached and the wheel axles in place. It takes about 20 minutes to attach the three, eleven inch diameter wheels and the front foot-plate. A comprehensive booklet of instructions is included, so there is no guesswork
involved.
The rear axle has two suspension springs, (protected by plastic covers) which will make bumpy territory a little more comfortable for the passenger.
A plastic cog-wheel is moulded onto the inner part of the rear wheels, into which the foot-brake teeth slots when the brake bar is pushed down.
The single front wheel can be locked into the forward position or unlocked to enable it to rotate, this makes it so much easier to steer.
The whole thing, when assembled, weighs around 22 ponds (10Kg) and when not in use can be folded.

The height from handle to ground is 40 inches (107 cm) - which I think is several inches higher than that of a stroller for children.
The distance between the rear wheels is 21 inches (60cm) and will just fit through the average houshold door. The length from the rear wheel to the front wheel is 35 inches (88cm). Each wheel has a diameter of 11 inches (28cm)

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COST
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The stroller cost me £149 at our local pet shop, but I have seen them advertised on the internet for slightly less than £100.

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THE MAIDEN JOURNEY TO THE VETS
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When I arrived home with the stroller, it was almost time to set off on the mile walk to the vets. It didn't occur to me, in my near panic, that Moses would be wary of this 'new contraption.' I picked him up and placed him facing me, in the carriage. He immediately jumped out and sat looking very apologetic, as if to say, "Sorry, but I'm not going anywhere in that!" I can, and do, laugh my 'socks' off at the situation now, but it wasn't very funny at the time.

Then another Eureka moment struck me. I placed Mollie (my little Yorkie) into the stroller and wheeled her around the house; she took to it like a duck to water and was happy to remain sitting there. Moses must then have thought something to the effect, "Hmmm, maybe it's not so bad after all; if it's ok for her, then it's ok for me." I took Mollie out and sat Moses in the stroller facing frontwards, away from me, wheeled him around the house like I did with Mollie and took him out again. He looked for rewards, but didn't get anything more than lots of praise and hugs.

When it was time to leave for the vets, I placed him back in the stroller, leaving the front unzipped so that I could keep a close eye on his condition, and held on to his lead, so that if he did attempt to leap out, I would have control.

We set off and he settled, lying with his head resting on the front of the carriage. We were just a few minutes from the vets when his condition took a turn for the worse and he began bringing up fresh blood. I was never more thankful at that point that the Pet Stroller had been invented and one was available that day. I dread to think what an overheated car would have done to him.

Thankfully, after loads of different medications, and 24 hours on a drip, he recovered more quickly than I had anticipated. Blood tests and X-rays showed no sinister problems to worry about.
We never discovered the cause, but no matter, he is well and happy and so am I. Thankful also to the designer of the stroller and the pet shop for storing one.

I have found another good use for this animal vehicle. Whilst Moses needs long walks, Mollie cannot endure the same sort of distances and terrain as Moses, so now, I can take the stroller and when she tires, can transport her in her carriage ( rather than carry her as I usually do)

This stroller is ideal for tired, sick or disabled pets.

Summary: I hope that it will be a very, long time before I need to use the stroller as animal ambulance again