Remembering Pet Safety When Traveling

It's never easy when you lose a pet, but it's even harder when you realize the tragedy could have been prevented.

Last Friday night, a Chihuahua was killed in a car crash. She had been riding in the owner's lap when the air bag deployed and crushed her. How many of us have allowed our sweet, little pooches to travel this way? We never think it could happen to us, but this accident shows otherwise.

So, how do you travel safely with your pets? Here's a few ideas:

1. Seat belt restraint. Several manufacturers produce harnesses that will snap into your seatbelt buckles in your car. Petmate also makes special leashes that have the snap as well.

2. Use a pet gate. These gates sit behind the driver and passenger seats and keep active pets from jumping up front. They are great for SUVs.

3. Keep your pet in a carrier or crate while traveling. This is my preference. I use crates when transporting dogs from animal control or to the vet. I put a puppy pad on the bottom that helps for accident clean up, especially if a pup gets car sick.

4. Never let your pet ride in the back of a truck. In many areas, including Chatham County and Savannah, this is illegal, but also very dangerous. Animals can get thrown from the vehicle in a crash or jump out when stopped. If your pet must ride in the back of a truck, place them inside a strapped crate with adequate ventilation.

We are often tempted to make allowances for our pets that we would not do for our children. There are reasons they have safety laws including booster seats, and we should remember to keep our pets just as safe.