Buckle Up Your Pets for Your Mutual Driving Safety!

According to Bark Buckle Up, a leading organization in pet safety, an unrestrained animal inside a car during an accident, is not only at risk for serious injury itself, but presents a danger to the human passengers as well. A 60-pound dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, a windshield, or another passenger. Even if the animal survives, it can impede the progress of rescue workers for whom every moment is precious.

Here are some safety considerations for traveling with pets in your car -- recommended by the American Automobile Association, Bark Buckle Up, and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

1. Buckle Up! Animals in cars and trucks are unable to brace themselves when a car swerves or brakes quickly. Special pet seatbelts for dogs and crates for dogs and cats are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at most pet supply stores.
2. No Pets in Front. Keep your pets out of the front seat. They distract the driver, and if frightened by anything, may dive for the driver’s lap or feet – causing loss of control of the steering wheel, gas pedal or brake.
3. No Pets in Open Bed Pickup Trucks or Convertibles. Fast moving airborne debris can injure your pet’s eyes and ears. A bump or a swerve might cause them to be thrown from the car, or lose their balance and break a bone.
4. No Pets Leaning out Windows. Paws accidently stepping on power window buttons can close the window on your dog's neck.
5. Don’t Leave Pets in Hot Cars. In direct sunlight, temperatures inside cars can rise to dangerously high levels in minutes. An interior temperature can heat up to 100F in 10 minutes on an 80F day - even with the windows slightly open.
   

“Traveling With Your Pet – The AAA Pet Book” has been a best-seller for AAA. The book can
be purchased at AAA club offices, on www.aaa.com and at retail bookstores.

Other helpful links on this topic:

http://www.barkbuckleup.com/

http://support.mspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=petowners_Travelling_Safely__Dog