Where are cages sold in the US actually made?

As we struggle with higher gas prices, seek to cut back on summer vacations & find ways to save money on pet care, we are fortunate to have an incredible amount choices for caging. Maybe too many?
Over the past few years pet shops and online retailers have sold cages from lots of cage manufacturers. How did I choose whose cages to sell? After great thought, I came up with three criteria:

1. How long have they been producing cages?

This has been an interesting phenomenon. In case you didn’t know the majority of cages being produced on the planet today come from China (our guestimate is about 80%) - some exceptions

Prevue Hendryx, the oldest and largest cage manufacture in the world (since 1869) is in Chicago. Although the majority of their large wrought iron line cage comes from China (we’ll return to the China issue in a minute), Prevue still makes many small cages right there.
Although many people are familiar with Kings Cages, we find most are unaware that Kings is actually divided into two distinct lines: Kings Economy Line is produced in China and Kings Original Line is produced in the Czech Republic.
California Cages are made with 100% U.S. made industrial quality components and their cages are covered with a nontoxic powder coat to provide a durable and attractive finish. Final assembly occurs in Mexico.

The China phenomenon is interesting. It’s our understanding there are two factors at work. First, in spite of China’s exponential economic growth, the price of economic change is that many factories struggle to stay open. Hence some offer very attractive prices to build and deliver cages. Anyone today with a pocket full of money and a visa can import cages into the US. It's a case of good news, bad news. Good news for the consumer - great prices. Bad news for the consumer - what are they made out of?

(Ever wonder why so many cages with different manufactures names look so similar?)

Once an individual goes to China, cuts the deal and returns home to await delivery, no one is left to watch. Older powder coating (originally designed to cover lawn furniture) contains zinc. An unsuspecting new cage entrepreneur would have no idea a lesser grade of powder coating may be substituted.

Unauthorized substandard metal and components are constantly found in Chinese consumer items all the time. Small cage importers who sell their goods on large auction sites and bird shows may never know if they’ve been duped. Even if they find out - they have no recourse and end up selling their cages at cost to recoup their investment.

The company we represent has many years of experience in trading with China. They have sound relationships and are large enough so if a Chinese manufacturer were to change the rules -- that Chinese factory would risk losing far too much business.

2. How committed is the cage company to customer service?

We’ve dealt with some cage companies who’s idea of communication is voicemail. If you have a question, you want an answer, and not “we’ll return your call within one business day.” Since we drop ship we want a tracking number we can forward to you - not just an invoice in the mail a week later.

Spare parts? Let’s face it, any mass produced item can have imperfections. Shipping damage can occur. You have a live animal waiting for a home. You need replacement parts, not promises.

3. How deep is their inventory?

Catalogs are great. But if a company offers 5 colors and only has 2 of those colors in stock, what’s the point? Our cage manufacturing partner maintains deep inventories of their entire line.

So before you click that “send my order,” ask yourself - “the cage has a really clever name, but who made it and where did it really come from?”

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