WINSTON-SALEM, NC, March 1, 2009 – PetTravelCenter.com announced today that it has teamed with San Diego, CA-based Bark Buckle UP, a pet travel safety advocacy organization, to provide education and information to pet owners about safe pet travel. Bark Buckle UP will also contribute a pet travel safety column in PetTravelCenter.com’s monthly e-newsletter for its PTC Club members. The column will contain real life stories from first responders, pet owners, auto manufacturers and pet safety experts. PTC Club membership is free by signing up on the company’s website.
“We are delighted to be associated with such a worthy organization as Bark Buckle UP,” said Tom James, president of PetTravelCenter.com. “(Founder) Christina Selter has done a remarkable job to promote pet travel safety and has crisscrossed the country relentlessly to work with fire, police and rescue groups to promote safe pet travel,” he said. “She also frequently attends major auto and pet shows around the country to spread her message.”
Most people don’t know that when driving 35 mph, a 60-pound unrestrained dog (size of a Golden Retriever) can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, windshield or passenger. Even if the animal survives, it can impede the progress of rescue workers who need every moment possible to safely care for accident victims. Pet restraints in moving vehicles help protect pets and humans in the event of a collision, keep pets from running loose and distracting the driver, and prevent pets from escaping the car through an open window or door.
“Seat belts protect millions of people every day,” said Selter, who buckles up her dog, Betty, even if she’s just driving to the supermarket. “In the event of an accident, an unrestrained pet can escape and be hit by another vehicle, cause another collision or attack emergency crews trying to reach an injured party. It only takes a few minutes to safeguard your pet and, by properly securing your pet, you are protecting yourself, your passengers and your pet from injury, not to mention protecting other drivers and strangers trying to help.”
Bark Buckle UP recently announced its Pet Safe Choice Award Winners at the Chicago Auto Show for safe vehicle, hotel, airline and retailer. The company also reviews pet travel products and affirms those with outstanding safety functions, durability, quality, engineering, functionality, ease of use, overall product design, packaging and customer service with its Bark Buckle Up Seal of Recognition.
About Bark Buckle UP
Bark Buckle UP pet safety program travels the nation to teach and promote pet safety during traveling with pets. By teaching pet safety in and around automobiles, the lives of pets and humans are being saved and First Responders jobs will be easier and safer. Bark Buckle UP founder Christina Selter, a pet travel safety advocate, has been featured nationwide in television, radio and news articles. She has also been featured at international auto shows, pet expos and guest speaking engagements. Selter works closely with fire and police personnel who support the safety program. “Just like Click it or Ticket, the Bark Buckle UP campaign helps save lives,” said Selter. 619-239-BARK (2275) [email protected]
About PetTravelCenter.com
PetTravelCenter.com is an online community that provides worldwide resources for pet-friendly hotels, attractions, destinations, RV parks, dog parks, campgrounds, airline pet policies, pet travel tips, pet relocation, veterinarians, emergency pet hospitals, and a wide variety of pet travel products through its online pet store. 336-712-1205. [email protected]
jim
I bought a harness to buckle my dog in, the problem is he cannot lay down with the harness on. all he can do is sit there. He is in the truck sometimes for hours. Anybody have any suggestions?
Mary
I totally agree with restraining your pets in the car. My dogs ride in a cage in the back so they are not jumping all over the place. I have a friend that had two dogs in the back seat and one of them decided to jump out on the freeway. Fortunately, the traffic was going very slow because of construction. They did not realize that she had jumped out until a few minutes later. They turned around when they could but could not find her. Lucky for them, a RV a few cars behind them was able to scoop her up and continue down the road. My friends had a message waiting for them that the dog had been found and they got her back. A really good lesson for leashing or caging your animals while in the car.