TIP: Travel with your pet by car (or bus)
Travel by car (or bus) can be a more convenient and safe mode of transport for your pet. Your animal should be well acclimated to car travel before hitting the road. If you know you are planning for a 12-hour drive with Fido this summer, be absolutely certain he enjoys a car ride! If car travel is problematic for your dog, consult your veterinarian or a trainer for tips on how to desensitize your dog to the car. The following HSUS guidelines will help to ensure car travel safety: [list] [*]"Always be sure that your pet is safely restrained in the car. If he is accustomed to one, your dog can be restrained with a pet safety harness that functions like a seatbelt. Or you can use a well-ventilated, hard-sided kennel. To ensure that they don't distract the driver, cats should always be kept in their carriers when traveling by car. All animals are safer in the back seat." [*]"Don't allow your canine companion to stick her head out the window when the vehicle is moving. Doing so can subject your pet to injury by flying debris. Never transport a pet in the back of a pickup truck. Some states have laws restricting such transport and it is always dangerous for your dog." [*]"Always provide frequent bathroom and exercise breaks. When outside the car, make sure that your pet is always on a leash and wearing a collar and ID tag." [*]"Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car. On warm days, the temperature in your car can rise to 120 degrees in minutes, even with the windows slightly open. Also, an animal left alone in a car is an open invitation to pet thieves." [/list]