Every day canine caregivers across the United States transport their dog to various destinations: the dog park, the veterinarian, dog daycare, hiking trails, and dog-centric events. Our canine companions even accompany us on family vacation.
In modern-world traffic, where driver’s are required by law to buckle-up, there is no standard for protecting our companions by using restraints, barriers or crates during short or long travel. The Virginia Ordinance on transporting companion animals does not address safety measures; current legislation, only indicates “the responsible handling or transportation of animals in the person's ownership, custody or charge, appropriate for the age, species, condition, size and type of the animal.”
There are many tragic results to unrestrained dogs in car accidents: escape, injury, and even death. While Progressive ® Auto Insurance offers, at no additional charge, pet injury coverage that “protects your dog or cat from injuries that result from accidents when they're inside your vehicle” and ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance covers “accidents” suffered in the United States and Canada, there are no specific requirements about restraining pets during travel. Consequently, there is still an absolute need for prevention.
Dogma Gourmet Dog Bakery and Boutique, located in the Village at Shirlington and Lee Harrison Shopping Center, carries a wide variety of canine travel products you can use for safe local and long distance journeys. “These products,” says Shirlington Store Manager, Kamala Mohammed, “help prevent your dog from getting loose and protect him from injury.”
The Pet Vehicle Safety Harness, modeled by Kamala’s Shepherd Mix, Charlie, is a padded harness without a ring on the front and attaches from the top to a lap-belt or shoulder-belt. It comes in different sizes and offers a good range of motion. When you open the car door for exercise and a potty break, it prevents your dog from jumping out of the car; it has a leash attachment so you do not have to change-out to walk your dog.
Other safety harnesses available at Dogma Bakery include the padded Puppia Travel Harness and the non-choking, chest protected, Canine Friendly 3 in 1 VestHarness. For high mobility, Dogma offers customers the Wander Hammock, a protector – barricade designed to inhibit your dog from jumping into the front seat. You can also place special order items, like the Auto Zip Line with Harness; be sure to ask about special order availability and arrival date.
When using a crate, Kamala advises, “Make sure the crate is stable and strapped in.” Dogma’s soft, collapsible travel crates and carriers, light weight and portable-friendly, are ideal for hotel and other accommodations. Don’t forget: Kitty-Cat should travel to the veterinarian in a carrier and be strapped in, too!
“I get to help people find what works best for them,” Kamala says with a grand smile. Dogma engraves identification tags on-site and sells travel accessories such as the Travel Quencher and Bivy Bowl, water bottles, smaller size bags of food and food-storage bags for compact traveling. If you are active and on the go, Dogma is your one-stop-shop for sweaters, hiking packs, fleece and waterproof vests. For low-light and dark conditions, they supply reflective vests and bright red LED powered safety lights, collars, and leashes.
For holiday and everyday travel, no trip is complete without a Pet First Aid Kit; Kamala recommends the Wag’n Skinny Mayday Pet First Aid Kit or, Kamala says, “You can also make your own.”
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