TAKING A TRIP

Planning on taking a trip, a drive to town, or a visit to the vet’s office – four legged friends included?

Before you hit the road here are some travel tips for you and your pet passengers:

Buckle up! While in the car, dogs and cats should ride in a crate or carrier. This helps protect the driver from distractions and helps to keep your pet safe during sudden stops and turns, or in the event of an accident. Dogs should travel in a crate that is anchored to the vehicle using a seatbelt or other secure means. Dog restraints or seatbelts are suitable for preventing your dog from roaming around the car and being a distraction, but they haven't been consistently proven to protect dogs during an accident. 

Most cats don’t enjoy traveling in cars, so for their safety as well as yours, keep them in a carrier that is fastened with the seatbelt so that they don't bounce around and injure themselves.

Leave the front for humans! Keep your pet in the back seat of the car. If an airbag deployed while your pet was in the passenger seat (even in a crate), it may injure them.

NEVER leave a pet unattended inside the car, even for a short amount of time. Temperatures can rise or drop to dangerous levels in a locked car in a matter of minutes.

When it's 72°F outside, the temperature inside your car can heat up to 116°F within an hour. On an 85°F day, even with the windows slightly open, the temperature inside your car can reach 102°F in just 10 minutes. If you're held up for 30 minutes, you may return to a car that's 120°Finside and a pet who is suffering irreversible organ damage or death.

A doctor's visit is imperative before any big trip. Make sure your pet is up-to-date with vaccinations, especially rabies, as they are legally required everywhere you go.