Taking a road trip soon? Make sure you take the proper steps to keep your dog safe on your journey. We’re partnering with DogSpot to bring you car travel safety tips! DogSpot makes smart sidewalk sanctuaries, providing your dog a safe and cozy home away from home while you briefly go somewhere dogs aren’t allowed.
Prepping Your Pup
If your dog isn’t used to long drives, start small and build. In the weeks leading up to your trip, take your dog on short drives and slowly increase the time and distance to get Fido used to the car. Ensure your pet has a secure collar & ID tag with up to date contact information. Collars and tags can fall off so microchip your dog! Ambassador Pit Bull Alliance offers FREE microchipping for pits and $15 microchipping for other dogs. Please check out our events for microchipping opportunities in Northern Virginia. For residents of other states, please contact your veterinarian for microchipping. Ensure your dog’s microchip is registered and the contact information is up to date. The microchip is useless if it isn’t registered properly.
Riding in Style
Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. The crate should be large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. Secure your pet’s crate so it will not slide or shift in the event of an abrupt stop. If you decide to forgo the crate, always keep your dog in the back seat in a harness attached to a seat buckle. (Citation: ASPCA) Dogs should not ride in the front seat of a moving car and they should not hang out of a car window.
Don’t Forget a Doggie Bag
Things to bring: dog food, extra water, a bowl, leash, waste bags, medication, first-aid, and your pet’s vaccination record. Packing a favorite toy or pillow may help give your dog a sense of familiarity during the trip and at your destination.
Rest Stop Safety
Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a warm day, even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a furnace in mere minutes, leading to life-threatening heatstroke. In cold weather, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death. (Citation: ASPCA) With DogSpot, you don’t have to choose between adventures and spending time with your dog. You have the freedom to live your life with your dog… without having to take risks like tying them up or leaving them in the car. More about DogSpot and Find Locations
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