By Blair Qualey

As hot weather takes hold, many of us will have the urge to take a road trip to our destination of choice 鈥� and for many, the temptation is to take your four-legged friend along for the ride. Our friends at ICBC, with the help of the BC SPCA, prepared some pointers and precautions on their a few years ago urging drivers to be smart with their pets 鈥� and the subject matter remains just as relevant today.

Above all else, drivers are encouraged to use common sense, drive smart and consider the safety of your pets, if bringing them along for the ride. Key recommendations include the following:

• NEVER leave any pets in a heated car. Every summer there are heartbreaking stories of animals left unattended in stuffy, overheated cars with the windows rolled up. When you take your pet to the beach and want to stop for coffee or lunch along the way, be sure to take it with you even if it鈥檚 鈥渏ust for a minute.鈥� Even with the windows cracked, temperatures in a hot car can multiply in just a few minutes 鈥� the same amount of time it would take for you to tie your pet鈥檚 leash up outside in a shady area.
• Always use some form of safety restraint whenever travelling with a pet. Having your pet properly restrained can prevent them from escaping, flying forward in your vehicle, or being hurt in a crash.
• If you鈥檙e using a crate, secure it with a seatbelt, cargo hooks, or by placing it by the rear seat. If unsecured, the crate can bounce around and even become a projectile. When you鈥檙e buying a crate for your dog, look for one that has been crash-tested.
• As we all know, dogs love hanging their heads out the window and while it鈥檚 tempting to let them do it, it leaves them open the potential for corneal ulcers from flying debris 鈥� such as dust or sand.
• ICBC discourages children younger than 12 from sitting in the front seat of vehicle, and the same safety risks of a deployed air bag can have devastating consequences for animals as well. To keep your furry family member safe, they should never sit in the front seat, but be secured in the back seat or cargo area of an SUV or van.
• While your pup may be super entertaining, refrain from allowing your pet to sit on your lap, from reaching into the back seat to interact with them; and from feeding, playing or taking a photo of them while you鈥檙e driving.
• The same caution applies if your travel companion is a cat, as they can crawl around your feet, and potentially interfere with gas or brake pedals. The BC SPCA recommends 鈥渁irline type鈥� (not cardboard) cat travel carriers and also suggests taking the time to help your cat learn to love their carrier before your first trip by offering treats, food, and a familiar blanket inside and gradually encouraging them to hang out in the carrier.

And finally, treat your four-legged friends like they are a member of the family, by bringing food, water, dishes, bedding and toys. If you鈥檙e taking a long trip, plan for a pit stop every few hours 鈥� it鈥檚 good for drivers and pets alike to stretch and get fresh air.

Have a safe and fun road trip this summer with your furry travel companions.

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at bqualey@newcardealers.ca