Whoever came up with the term \u201cfur baby\u201d knew exactly what they were on about. Okay, maybe not that guy up there – but he’s someone’s angel!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a pet owner, I know the guilty feeling that occurs when you need to leave your pet at home. In our case, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u2013 bless him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to transporting pets, most people don’t think about safety until they have an animal leaping their way onto the driver\u2019s lap, an exotic cat co-driving from the driver\u2019s shoulder. In New Zealand, we\u2019re 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\u2019t really my <\/em>thing) a small reptile. Good fun, especially in the car, right?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wrong.\u00a0 Completely wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As drivers (and owners) \u2013 remember, we\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also varying restrictions depending on the state you are in when it comes to other aspects of travelling with pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bottom line is, you need to keep your pet properly restrained in the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, if you suddenly stop, your uncontrolled pet can become an extremely heavy projectile threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019re fully responsible for anything that happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, how can you travel with pets to in a way that doesn\u2019t break the law and still ensures the safety of everyone in the car?<\/p>\n\n\n\n To comply with legal standards, either cages or tethering of dogs is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lead or chain must be connected to a midway point of the cabin when tethering a dog to a truck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019s case, this a lot more frequently \u2013 bless. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhether its a pet or a passenger, safety always comes first<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why do we need to restrain our pets?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2 ways to restrain your pet in the car<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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