Whether it's going to the beach, camping or just going on road trips, for many people, summer is a time for outdoor activity. Many dog owners include their pets in these activities, and that means more dogs riding in cars.
But how safe are the animals going along for these fun family outings? It doesn't take a long time on the road to see that some dog owners do not always practice the same safety practices with their dogs that they do for themselves and their children; dogs can be seen in cars unrestrained, on drivers' laps, in the boxes of trucks, putting their heads out of windows and left to wait in boiling hot cars for long periods of time. The fact that some jurisdictions are charging dog owners for leaving their dogs in cars on hot days shows that authorities are taking animal safety in automobiles seriously.
As summer winds down and families make their last road trips of the summer before school sets in, here are some tips for making sure the furrier members of the family get to their destinations safely.
Don't leave them alone in a hot car
According to the Alberta Society for the Protection of Animals (SPCA), the inside of a car on a hot day can reach 51 degrees Celsius (124 degrees Fahrenheit) in as little as 10 minutes, an environment that can quickly lead to heat stroke. And leaving the windows open or parking in the shade is no solution; in 2006 a couple in Calgary, Alberta were charged $400 under the Canadian province's Animal Protection Act for leaving their dog alone in a car despite leaving the windows unrolled an inch and providing water for the animal.
If travelers have to take their dogs along with them, the Alberta SPCA recommends never leaving them in the car alone; if the dog has to stay in the vehicle make sure someone is there with him with the air conditioner turned on.
Use a crate
The safest way for a dog to travel is probably inside a plastic airline crate. According to the Family Education website, a crate can protect dogs from injury in the event of an impact and keep the animal safe as rescue workers deal with the aftermath of an accident.
Strap them in
Although not as secure as a plastic crate, a special "doggy seatbelt" can act as a reasonable alternative.These can be purchased at most pet stores.
Get them used to the car
Not all dogs like being in the car, and some experience significant anxiety when taken for rides in an automobile. The Family Education website recommends taking steps towards making the car a comfortable place for your dog. These may include spending short periods of time in the car with the dog without the engine running, petting him, talking to him and offering treats. After a few days, or whenever the dog seems relaxed, repeat the process while the car is running. Eventually start taking him on short trips, gradually increasing the length of time, until he looks forward to these outings.
Leave them at home
On hot days, perhaps the best practice is simply to leave them at home, preferably in a basement or somewhere else they can be shielded from the hot weather. In July 2010, the Ottawa Human Society reported that it had responded to more than 75 calls about dogs being left in hot vehicles. The organization, which is legally mandated to enforce the animal cruelty provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada, urged visitors to to the city to leave their dogs at home.
But how safe are the animals going along for these fun family outings? It doesn't take a long time on the road to see that some dog owners do not always practice the same safety practices with their dogs that they do for themselves and their children; dogs can be seen in cars unrestrained, on drivers' laps, in the boxes of trucks, putting their heads out of windows and left to wait in boiling hot cars for long periods of time. The fact that some jurisdictions are charging dog owners for leaving their dogs in cars on hot days shows that authorities are taking animal safety in automobiles seriously.
As summer winds down and families make their last road trips of the summer before school sets in, here are some tips for making sure the furrier members of the family get to their destinations safely.
Don't leave them alone in a hot car
According to the Alberta Society for the Protection of Animals (SPCA), the inside of a car on a hot day can reach 51 degrees Celsius (124 degrees Fahrenheit) in as little as 10 minutes, an environment that can quickly lead to heat stroke. And leaving the windows open or parking in the shade is no solution; in 2006 a couple in Calgary, Alberta were charged $400 under the Canadian province's Animal Protection Act for leaving their dog alone in a car despite leaving the windows unrolled an inch and providing water for the animal.
If travelers have to take their dogs along with them, the Alberta SPCA recommends never leaving them in the car alone; if the dog has to stay in the vehicle make sure someone is there with him with the air conditioner turned on.
Use a crate
The safest way for a dog to travel is probably inside a plastic airline crate. According to the Family Education website, a crate can protect dogs from injury in the event of an impact and keep the animal safe as rescue workers deal with the aftermath of an accident.
Strap them in
Although not as secure as a plastic crate, a special "doggy seatbelt" can act as a reasonable alternative.These can be purchased at most pet stores.
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Get them used to the car
Not all dogs like being in the car, and some experience significant anxiety when taken for rides in an automobile. The Family Education website recommends taking steps towards making the car a comfortable place for your dog. These may include spending short periods of time in the car with the dog without the engine running, petting him, talking to him and offering treats. After a few days, or whenever the dog seems relaxed, repeat the process while the car is running. Eventually start taking him on short trips, gradually increasing the length of time, until he looks forward to these outings.
Leave them at home
On hot days, perhaps the best practice is simply to leave them at home, preferably in a basement or somewhere else they can be shielded from the hot weather. In July 2010, the Ottawa Human Society reported that it had responded to more than 75 calls about dogs being left in hot vehicles. The organization, which is legally mandated to enforce the animal cruelty provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada, urged visitors to to the city to leave their dogs at home.