Buckle Up Your Pet
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
Dogs in cars. You see them everywhere – on the highway, in parking lots, and even when parents drop their kids off at school. But how many of those dogs are buckled or tethered safely in the car? Probably not the majority and that is not a good thing.
Why buckle?
Buckling your dog into a specially made safety seat or harness any time you drive just makes sense. Like people, dogs that are not buckled in can suffer serious injuries in a car accident. Unbuckled dogs can be killed or severely injured by an airbag when it deploys, and they can fly through windshields or open windows, too.
The unthinkable
There’s another good reason to make sure your pet is safely buckled inside your car. What if you’re in an accident? If your dog is loose and survives the crash, it could become disoriented and frightened. That means your pet might bolt out of a door or window into traffic, with tragic results.
What to do
Buy a crate, harness system, or safety seat for your pet. Many pet shop owners have seen a keen interest in harnesses, crates, and safety seats for dogs. They usually sell several each week to owners concerned about their pet’s safety. Oh, and experts personally crate their dogs whenever they travel, even if it’s just a short trip to the market.
Try before you buy
You need to try out the safety equipment before you put it to good use, too. Experts recommend you bring your dog in to their shop so you get the proper fit for your harness or safety seat. It’s kind of like a car seat for a baby, they all aren’t the same size and shape, your dog really needs the correct fit to be safe. Remember, you still need to secure a crate, because in an accident it can still be tossed around if not strapped in.
Crate your cat
Traveling with your cat? The best thing for cats is a crate big enough to hold a litter box, food and water. Most cats aren’t fond of cars and are easily spooked, so crating your cat is the safest alternative for everyone.
Bark-BuckleUP!
A California organization promotes pet safety via their web site. The site’s founder, Christina Selter, says, “We believe that securing your pets during travel is best for your pet, the driver, passengers, and in an emergency for the EMTs/Fire/Police that are there to help you and your family.” The group’s motto is “Be smart ride safe,” a motto that makes sense for pet owners anywhere!
It’s here
Recently, California legislators proposed legislation that would ban pet owners from allowing pets to ride in owner’s laps, and more legislation may be planned to require pets to ride in pet safety seats. That’s just another reason to keep your pets safe in the seat!
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