This week Be the Change for Animals is promoting Be Smart, Ride Safe, to inform pet owners about the dangers of unrestrained pets in vehicles.
Kelly loves to ride in the car. Note: This is NOT how Kelly travels (picture taken for a photo op moment.) But I’ve been thinking a lot about this issue during the week.
Kelly has been riding comfortably on the back seat of the SUV. Yes, unrestrained.
She doesn’t jump around, she doesn’t bother the driver. She doesn’t stick her head out the window like this:
(Note: Again, Kelly doesn’t ride like this. But I must admit, she did enjoy posing for this shot!)
But I started thinking about what could happen in the event of an accident:
* This sounds awful, but she could become a projectile in an accident.
* If she was injured or frightened, she could distract rescue workers from getting to humans who needed help.
* During rescue attempts, she could escape out a window or open door and become lost.
* If she escaped post-accident, she might run into the road and get hit and/or cause another accident.
So I’m looking into getting a harness, which would still allow her to ride in her favorite seat in the back.
What about you? Where does your pet travel in the car? Does your pet balk at being restrained?
Have you taken the Be Smart Ride Safe pledge?
