Whoever came up with the term “fur baby” knew exactly what they were on about. Okay, maybe not that guy up there – but he’s someone’s angel!
As a pet owner, I know the guilty feeling that occurs when you need to leave your pet at home. In our case, it’s our French Bulldog, Sydney, who seems to have mastered the ability to put my wife and I into a guilt trip whenever we leave the house without him.
Travelling with your pet can bring a lot of joy, but the truth is, in our case particularly, our dog can be a bit of a firestarter in the car – bless him.
When it comes to transporting pets, most people don’t think about safety until they have an animal leaping their way onto the driver’s lap, an exotic cat co-driving from the driver’s shoulder. In New Zealand, we’re pretty run-of-the-mill when it comes to family pets, but I have known people to also have a pet lamb or (and this isn’t really my thing) a small reptile. Good fun, especially in the car, right?!
Wrong. Completely wrong.
Whether its a pet or a passenger, safety always comes first
As drivers (and owners) – remember, we’re in charge here. A massive, heavy, moving vehicle comes with the same level of responsibility, and we must maintain our eyes on the road and stay alert of what is happening around us.
It’s illegal to have our pets on our laps while driving, just as it’s forbidden to use cell phones while driving because we need to concentrate on the task at hand.
There are also varying restrictions depending on the state you are in when it comes to other aspects of travelling with pets.
The bottom line is, you need to keep your pet properly restrained in the vehicle.
Why do we need to restrain our pets?
Thousands of dogs are injured each year as a result of vehicle accidents. Not only is there an extra cost to you, but there’s also the added stress and care required for an injured pet, as well as the risk of being punished by law for not properly restraining your pet.
Furthermore, if you suddenly stop, your uncontrolled pet can become an extremely heavy projectile threat.
If you’re in an accident, your pet might easily fly through the windscreen, even at modest speeds. If you choose to disregard the legal obligations to restrain a pet, bear in mind that you’re fully responsible for anything that happens.
So, how can you travel with pets to in a way that doesn’t break the law and still ensures the safety of everyone in the car?
2 ways to restrain your pet in the car
- Get a seat belt for your pet. Just make sure that it complies with all relevant legislation. You’ll be in good stead if you purchase a seatbelt from a reputable pet store.
- If you need a cage, get a cage. Thankfully, dog transport by ute has greatly improved in recent years; yet, the majority of dog transport injuries are caused by our canine companions not being properly restrained on the back of utes.
To comply with legal standards, either cages or tethering of dogs is required.
The lead or chain must be connected to a midway point of the cabin when tethering a dog to a truck.
While carriers, crates, and cages are excellent tools for keeping your travelling companions contained and safe, bear in mind that spending long periods of time in a confined place is not recommended for anyone.
Stop every couple of hours if you’re driving a long distance so you and your pet can stretch your legs and use the restroom. In our dog’s case, this a lot more frequently – bless.
And never, ever leave your pets in the car for long periods of time without fresh air or drink, especially on a hot day. The My Auto Shop crew will come find you! Okay, not serious, but please, be kind to animals!
If you have a convertible or utility vehicle, ensure sure your pets have access to shade and are protected from the elements.
Remember – you’re the human here, you’re responsible for keeping your pets safe, and ensuring that they are comfortable so that you can enjoy each other’s company for many years.