Animal House-Mates

by Kimberly Loomis

Kimberly is a wife and a mother of three children and five pets with over a decade of experience working in the veterinary field. She has worked in many capacities in the veterinary office, from receptionist to veterinary assistant and everything in between. Beyond pets, she also has a passion for writing and blending the two is a natural way for her to share what she loves with her community.

It's summer time and there all kinds of things pet owners have had seared into our brains about this season's pet safety, like not keeping animals in hot cars and making sure your pets have access to fresh water and shade. With all the travel my friends and family are doing this summer with their pets, I wanted to focus on vehicle safety.

Washington state law concerning animals in vehicles is as follows: "State law prohibits people from transporting living animals on the running board, fenders, hood, or other outside part of any vehicle unless a suitable harness, cage or enclosure protects them from falling or being thrown. Driving with a dog or other animal in an unsafe condition can lead to a misdemeanor."

A collar and a leash attached to a truck is NOT considered suitable, as this would only serve to hang and choke a dog. Can you imagine a truck in a roll-over accident with a dog tied to the bed with a leash and collar? The point is not to keep the dog in the car, it is to keep your pet and the people around you safe. A dog that is not properly harnessed, or even a carrier or cage not properly tied down to the bed of the truck, is nothing more than a projectile waiting to fly out of your car and hurt someone else, not to mention the harm your pet might suffer.

Driving with an unrestrained pet inside your vehicle is also unsafe. Remember, we have to think about our safety as well as that of our pets. We drive around with our dogs sitting in the back seat next to our children in their booster and car seats and never think about what would happen if we were in an accident and how the dog would simply serve as an additional way for your kids to get hurt. I would never want my 60-pound boxer to fly into one of my children during the impact of even a 35-mph crash--it could be devastating. Sitting with your pet in your lap is even worse. Where do you think your little dog is going to go if you have to slam on your brakes or if you get hit by another vehicle?

Watch this video of a car crash sled test with stuffed dogs in the back if you're not convinced. http://www.immioutdoors.com/petbuckle/sledtest.htm.

Pet stores carry all kinds of car restraint harnesses, seat belts and carrier tie-downs. Go online first and read the reviews before you buy and make sure you can return the item if it doesn't work for you pet or your vehicle. Your pet may not like it at first, but give them time and it will become second nature. However, if you have a neurotic dog that will chew through harnesses, seats or seat belts, then unfortunately it would be safer if they didn't ride in the car with you without the help of sedatives.

In the end we always think, "I'm just going across town, it will be fine." But being sure of that is impossible and it is always better to be safe rather than sorry. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!