Digital Peanut

If you’re a hatchback owner, then you’ll know that finding a crash tested and safe dog crate for hatchbacks is not easy. We offer one of the few solutions, the MIMSafe VarioCage Compact, a fully crash tested, lockable dog crate built specifically for hatchback cars.

For more than twenty years, we have worked alongside vehicle manufacturers to design safety mechanisms and we have documentation from hundreds of crash tests and real-life road traffic collisions. Our dog crates are built to work alongside the safety features of vehicles to ensure that both pets and passengers are kept safe. The safest place to locate dogs during transport will always be the boot of the car. This is because the back seat of the vehicle is built to withstand the weight of any products the car may be transporting, protecting passengers from the force of these items during an impact. However, finding a dog crate for hatchbacks is not easy because of the restricted boot space.

Our MIMSafe VarioCage Compact dog crates are built primarily to suit hatchback cars. They are designed to house one small dog up to 38cm at the withers and are fitted with a 23cm elevated door to match the sill on the hatchback’s boot. The length of the cage can be reduced or extended to fit depth of the boot, leaving room for luggage alongside the crate.

All of our crates have been fully crash tested to the same standards as baby car seats. In the event of an impact, the VarioCage Compact will safely compress in a controlled manner in tandem with the vehicle crumple zone. This protects both passengers and dogs from an increased risk of injury.

Each crate is fitted with a built in locking system, gas spring doors and an emergency exit in case the primary exit is blocked.

To check if the MIMsafe Compact will fit in your vehicle, visit the model selector on our website.

We’re delighted that Kelly and her working cocker spaniel Murphy, from Nottinghamshire, have recently become MIMsafe ambassadors.
We asked Kelly a bit more about how she first heard about our crash tested crates and why she wanted to be a MIMsafe ambassador.

Q: How do you feel about becoming a MIMsafe ambassador?
A: We’re really excited to be working with MIMsafe. After personally using our crate for the past few years now it’s a product I truly would now never want to be without. It’s given me peace of mind wherever we travel, not to mention a clean, dog hair free car!! Definitely one of the best purchases I’ve ever invested in as a pet owner.

Q: Have you always had dogs?
A: I haven’t! I always wanted a dog growing up though! Murphy is my first dog.

Q: Do you do any dog sports/other activities with Murphy?
A: I recently purchased a Stand Up Paddle board which I love taking to the lakes with Murphy on board! He took to it like an absolute natural!

Q: What made you want to become a MIMsafe ambassador?
A: I did a lot of research into trying to find a crash proof crate that would fit my old Renault Clio, I was under the impression that such a product didn’t exist for a hatchback car until I came across MIMsafe. Travelling Murphy safely in the car has always been something that’s been really important to me, especially with how much we travel! Unfortunately I think sometimes it’s something that a lot of pet owners overlook or don’t think about. Many are probably like me and believe because they have a small car, a product that would fit doesn’t exist and so I wanted to become an ambassador to help spread the word about the options available and the importance of road safety.

Q: What do you like about MIMsafe crates?
A: As well as the obvious safety features and peace of mind it gives me whilst travelling I love that the crates are adjustable in depth. This has meant that when I did upgrade my car a few months ago I didn’t need to purchase a whole new crate to fit it!

Q: Were there any specific safety-related incidents that prompted you to buy a Variocage?
A: Thankfully I haven’t had any first-hand experiences but I have seen/heard about many incidents where dogs have been killed in collisions. On the flipside I have also read stories where crates have saved a dog’s life, it was seeing these kinds of stories that influenced my decision and for me made having a crash tested crate a priority.

Follow Kelly and Murphy on their Murphy The Magnificent Instagram account.

A very grateful customer recently contacted us to inform us that another of our variocages has withstood the force of a horrific accident and would have saved her dog’s life if he had been with her at the time.

Angyl Viton contacted us earlier this year:

“Early this morning I was involved in a car accident. I hit a patch of ice going 60mph on the interstate. I slid across 3 lanes of traffic hitting the guard rail head on, bouncing off, then spun across the same 3 lanes hitting a concrete divider. All my airbags deployed. I walked away with minor bumps and bruises (Thank you Jeep).”

Having read her story, we’re so relieved that Angyl was not injured, and that her American Bulldog, Rufus, was not with her. Angyl very gratefully let us know that, if he had been with her, his variocage would have kept him safe:

“My Variocage Is always tethered in my cargo area. Luckily my American Bulldog was not with me but if he had been he would’ve been COMPLETELY protected and contained. I bought this crate for this very reason. Peace of mind that my boy is always safe when traveling with me.”

The vehicle in which Angyl was travelling in, a 2018 Jeep Compass Latitude, was completely written off, demonstrating the severity of the impact. The Variocage large single crate, that was secured and fully extended in the vehicle at the time, can be seen in the image above (with Rufus inspecting!).

It’s clear to see in this photo the way in which our crates compress to a safe threshold, absorbing the full force of the impact whilst keeping the dogs safe. Emergency workers at the scene of the accident were impressed with the crate and commented that if Rufus had been present in his crate, amazingly, he would have escaped serious injury.

Crash Testing

We’re always shocked and sickened to hear about such awful accidents but also so pleased to hear from owners who are so grateful to us for the complex research that we carry out that enables us to design and build such safe dog crates. We run a comprehensive program of crash testing, studying road traffic accidents and working with many of the top car brands. Using this information, along with the expertise of our experienced design engineers, we design and build crates that will work alongside the deformation zones in different vehicles to withstand the many forces involved in a collision. We are the ONLY crate manufacturers that test our crates in situ in the vehicles themselves, giving us an accurate record of their true performance in the event of an impact.

Our crash testing schedule thoroughly examines frontal, rear and side impacts, as well as the forces involved in a rollover. What’s more, we test the consequences of an impact on all the occupants of the vehicle, not just the dog. Our work focuses as much on the human passengers as their canine companions. A high degree of skill and innovation is applied to this level of design, build and testing and it’s why our crates aren’t cheap, but they are certainly the best and worth every penny in terms of your peace of mind.

Angyl confirmed this, commenting: “The Variocage is a well crafted, solid, safe travel crate. Rufus’ variocage took the impact (guardrail head-on at 60mph then a concrete divider) in my accident like it was built to do. I will have another one, it’ll just take some time. I have to buy a new car first Thank you for making such a great quality and safe travel crate.”

Thank you so much, Angyl, for getting in touch and for your kind permission to use your photos and your comments. We wish you all the best in your recovery from what must have been a very traumatic ordeal.

Calling all very small dog breed owners and enthusiasts!

We’re looking for people who own or work with dogs that are of a similar size to the following breeds:

• Yorkshire Terriers
• Pomeranians
• Papillons
• Toy Poodles
• Chihuahuas
• Brussels Griffon
• Japanese Chin
• Maltese
• Russian Toy Terriers
• Any other breeds or cross breeds of a similar size

Are you a dog training, grooming or dog day care professional? A licensed dog breeder or a successful dog sports enthusiast? Do you already sell dog-related products or manage a boarding kennel? Are you or your pet well-known social media influencers?

If so, then we have a great opportunity for you! We’re offering a select few very small dog owners across the UK an exciting yet easy way to top up their income and help us to promote safer travel for very small dog breeds by becoming a MIMSafe Care2 ambassador.

Our research suggests that owners of very small breeds are less likely to restrain their dogs while travelling. As pet travel safety experts, we know that this is extremely dangerous for the dogs as well as for their owners and other human travelling companions.

We need your help to demonstrate to owners of very small breeds that, in order to keep their dogs safe while travelling, they need to be restrained, preferably in a crash tested, secure crate.

Are you our ideal MIMsafe Care2 ambassador?

We’re looking for:

• Professionals in a range of dog-related professions
• Dog sports enthusiasts
• Breeders of very small dogs who are members of the KC assured breeder scheme
• Social media influencers with very small dogs with a significant following
• Someone who is passionate about improving the welfare of very small breeds

Your commitment

All we are asking is that our MIMsafe Care2 Ambassadors use one of our crash-tested, crush proof Care2 small dog crates whenever you travel with your dog – and recommend it to people you come into contact with, both in person and on social media.

There is no financial outlay required.
You will not be charged for use of the crate.

You just need to understand and explain to people that in a road traffic accident, a good quality, crash tested car crate can be the difference between the life and death of your pets and passengers.
Our Care2 crates are the only dog crates that have been fully crash tested to the same standards as child and baby seats, making the Care2 THE safest crate available for very small dogs. They can be fitted into the seat next to you using your vehicle’s seatbelts, the same way as baby seats are secured. They are portable, lightweight and offer a secure space for your pet to travel both in and out of the car.
All of our vet-recommended Care2 crates come fully assembled with a soft, nonslip mat and integrated temperature gauge.

What we offer you, as a MIMSafe Care2 Ambassador:

• A Care2 crate of your choice to use for promotion, keeping you, your passengers, and your dog(s) safe, completely free of charge, for the first 6 months.
• The option to buy your crate at a significantly discounted price after 6 months.
• Commission for every item sold—we know that once people have seen one of our crates being used first-hand, they’re very likely to buy one.
• Don’t delay! This opportunity is only available for the next couple of months, so if you’re interested in becoming one of our ambassadors, get in touch today!

What do I need to do to apply to become a MIMsafe Care2 Ambassador?

Send us an email or message telling us a little about yourselves and stating why you’d like to work with us on the Care 2 campaign.

Whilst not compulsory it would also be appreciated if you:
1. Helped spread the word by sharing this opportunity to your social media story/feed.
2. Tag on social media any fellow small/toy breed owners you think may be interested.

Email us on [email protected] or call 01256 674547.
To stay posted for updates, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Associate Professor Johan Davidsson of Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology has
been appointed member of the MIMsafe’s Board of Directors. Johan has, for over a decade,
helped the company evaluate MIMsafe dog cages and the company’s MIMclip.

MIMclip, a system designed to minimise the risk of injury in field competitions, is the only safety system
for this tough sport approved by the International Equestrian Federation. The new
appointment will enable Johan Davidsson to apply more of his considerable expertise in
product safety and testing matters to further improving MIMsafe’s products.