| Most places in North America have laws | | | | life. |
| stating that seat belts are mandatory | | | | So should we stop taking our pets on car |
| for vehicle drivers and passengers. Most | | | | rides with us? I know that my dogs would |
| provinces and states have laws regarding | | | | not be happy with this. There are |
| child seats in cars. Great! Now, what | | | | solutions for almost every dog and dog |
| about your pet? Taking Fluffy for a car | | | | owner. There are seat belts that work |
| ride may be fun for you and him, but | | | | with your dogs harness. There are car |
| what are the consequences? | | | | seats and car hammocks for dogs designed |
| As a society we have made our pets, | | | | to keep them in one place and still |
| especially our dogs, into family | | | | allow them the freedom to see the world |
| members, or our "children". We feed | | | | outside. And if you have a vehicle large |
| them, clothe them, take them to the vet | | | | enough to accommodate them, a crate is |
| for regular check-ups and regularly | | | | probably the safest way to transport |
| pamper them. But for some reason, when | | | | your pet. By using one of these pet |
| we get into our car, having Fido bounce | | | | safety devices, you can keep your pet |
| around from window to window seems like | | | | safe in case of an accident. Rescue |
| the right way to travel. And I must | | | | personnel will be able to safely handle |
| admit that I wave to every dog with | | | | your pet, so that they may attend to any |
| their head out the car window. | | | | injuries. Seat belts or carriers also |
| Now I want you to think about every | | | | give rescuers a way to "hold" your dog |
| accident scene that you have ever passed | | | | if you need to be transported. |
| on the road. See the confusion | | | | Dog vehicle safety devices may also help |
| surrounding the scene. Now imagine YOUR | | | | prevent an accident by keeping your pet |
| little pooch in the middle of that! | | | | in one place and out from under your |
| Unrestrained items get tossed around | | | | brake pedal! If cell phones, coffee, and |
| violently at the time of impact. This | | | | the like are dangerous distractions on |
| includes your pet. Windows break in an | | | | our roads, then Spot jumping from window |
| accident. What is to stop your dog from | | | | to window must be recognized as a |
| bolting in fear? What is there to stop | | | | potential problem. |
| your dog from attacking rescue | | | | Take your dog with you everywhere you |
| personnel. Your dog may only be | | | | can. Just remember to provide them with |
| frightened, or even thinking they are | | | | the same car safety that you give to |
| protecting you, but they could be | | | | yourself and your two-legged passengers. |
| preventing rescuers from saving your | | | | As always, enjoy your pet! |