How to Travel Safely with your Pet
You buckle up when you jump in your car, and you’re diligent about getting your children secured in the car, so why not do the same for your pet? Untethered pets can be seriously injured if you were to have an accident, plus they can be a distraction to the driver which can cause accidents.
Keep reading to find out how to keep you and your pets safe while travelling.
Keep Nose and Paws Inside
Just like carnival rides, heads, hands (noses and paws) need to stay inside. For your pet’s safety and to avoid him falling out or getting hit by a passing car, keep you pet’s parts inside the car. Your dog may enjoy the fresh breeze but it can be a dangerous practice.
Be Secure in a Pickup
If you have a pickup truck and like to let your pup ride in the bed of the truck, be aware that some provinces have laws against that. In the case of British Columbia, where our stores are located, Section 72 of the BC Motor Vehicle Act prohibits the transport of an unsecured pet in the back of a pickup truck. So, if your pet must ride in the back of the truck, don’t let him run loose. Instead, get a hard-sided crate and tether it to the truck bed, then put your dog in the crate. Consider what would happen to your beloved pet if he was loose in the back and you had a collision.
Never Alone in a Vehicle
Your car may seem like a good place to leave your pet if you need to run into the store for a few minutes, but because of all the glass in a vehicle, temperatures inside can quickly become deadly. The best rule is to NEVER leave your pet unattended in your car. If you get uncomfortable sitting in a car you can open the door, go outside, turn up the heat, turn on the A/C, but your pet can’t do any of that. Whether it’s hot or cold, if you’re going to have to leave your pet unattended in your car, it’s better to just leave him at home.
Always Secured in the Back
Because many accidents are caused by distracted driving, keep your pet in the backseat. That way your pet won’t be able to bump you or take your attention off the road. The safest place for your pet is tethered in the backseat. Use a restraining device that works for both of you. There are now a wide variety products available and we list some of them below. You can also see the full Blue Barn selection here.
Harnesses: Secure your pet in the harness then secure the harness to a hook in the back. Most newer models of vehicles already have tethers like this. Without that protection your dog could be ejected from your car and seriously injured in a crash.
Tethers: Using a tether will keep your pet secure while giving him a bit of room to move around. If your dog is restless, this might be a good option because it allows him to sit, lie down and turn around.
Booster Seats: These are a great option for smaller dogs (or even cats). The booster seat will secure your pet yet allow them to sit high enough to see things happening outside.
Barriers: Barriers are a good way to create separation from the front and the back while allowing your pet to move quite freely. They will stop your pet from flying forward during a sudden stop but only offer limited protection in the event of a crash.
It’s important to remember that all of these options will help keep your pet safe but there are always risks when travelling.
