Dangers on the Road: Hot Cars, Loose Pets

We love a road trip. Whether it’s a run to the dog park, a weekend getaway or a vacation, people love to travel with their pets. Unfortunately, many pet owners don’t think about buckling up their pet, even though they don’t think twice about buckling up themselves. 

That’s why, as veterinarians, our clients rely on us to remind them that pets are vulnerable when they travel and that proper restraint is critical if we are to protect our pets from injury – or even death – due to an accident on the road. We also need to remind pet owners of the dangers associated with rising temperatures in a parked vehicle and how quickly a pet left inside a parked car can succumb to the heat. 

An AVMA web page, as well as two informational posters, helps you spread both of these messages to your clients, and you can download each of the posters for free. Display them in your practice; hand them out when you visit a school or the local civic center; ask the local supermarket or convenience store to post them in the window or on the door. Their messages are short and direct, but the lessons learned will go a very long way toward protecting our beloved pets. 

Also, remember to educate your clients about the risk of dogs riding in the back of pickup trucks. As you know, that is especially dangerous.