The very first thing that most of us think about when we get into a vehicle is buckling ourselves and our family up.  So why would we think twice about buckling our pets up for too?  It is something, until recently, that I personally didn’t give much thought to.  That all changed when I was in a car accident that totaled my car.  I remember one of the first thoughts going through my head was “What if my dogs had been in my car with me?”  I immediately started researching safety restraints for pets.

One of the first websites that I came across was www.barkbuckleup.com.  Not only does the website give you references for pet safety, they also look out for yours.  Bark Buckle Up references auto & recreational safety as well as travel tips.  The website gives you interesting facts on their website like:

  • When driving 35 mph, a 60-pound unrestrained dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, windshield, or passenger. 
  • Unrestrained pets delay emergency workers’ access to human occupants.
  • Pets may escape through a window or open door and cause a second accident.

A website resource for pet travel products is  www.pettravelcenter.com.  My family vehicles are now all equipped with safety restraints and harnesses for our dogs.  I highly recommend that you check both websites out if you travel with your pets.