| Pet owners do have extra considerations in | | | | |
| purchasing cars. This is because they wanted | | | | Traveling with dogs requires necessary |
| to ensure safety and comfort even on board a | | | | accessories. The dogs, almost always, leaves |
| car. Simply, they wanted the best for their | | | | wads of hair, slobber and annoying aftermaths |
| pooches, felines and all other animals that a | | | | of queasy tummies. Lisa Peterson, a dog |
| person could actually own as a pet. | | | | breeder and the director of club |
| | | | communications for the American Kennel Club, |
| Above all features, safety is ranking high. | | | | said that she has driven as far as Denver |
| Safety features cover fabric used and height | | | | from her home in Connecticut to enter her |
| of doorstep. Dog owners, for one, rate cars | | | | three Norwegian elkhounds in dog shows. So |
| according to safety and slobber concerns. | | | | every time she travels, she carries large |
| This is the reason why some automakers are | | | | travel crates for her dogs. |
| entertaining dog-friendly features in their | | | | |
| product lines. | | | | Peterson added, "I measured my back clearance |
| | | | and made sure I had 48 inches across the |
| When traveling in a car, "animals need to be | | | | back." She also chose leather seats, which |
| treated like people," said Joe Wiesenfelder | | | | are less likely to catch the elkhounds' long, |
| who works as a senior editor at in Chicago. | | | | thick hair. And she preferred a vehicle with |
| "The absolute best thing is to have the pet | | | | a cargo hold that was low to the ground. |
| restrained, in a crate or in a harness," he | | | | "It's easier on the wear and tear of their |
| said. | | | | hips, and it's easier to lift the kennels," |
| | | | she said. |
| One of the famed automaker for pet lovers is | | | | |
| Volvo. It is one of the handfuls of car | | | | According to a recent study by the American |
| makers that promote features specifically for | | | | Kennel Club, about 47 percent of dog owners |
| dog hauling. Volvo is not only considering | | | | think of their pets when buying a car. Most |
| safety of persons but occupants in general, | | | | are looking for a vehicle suitable for |
| including pets. Hence, when it is designing | | | | bringing their four-legged friend to the |
| cars, the quality of Volvo strut mount or | | | | beach or park. |
| other auto parts is not the only | | | | |
| consideration - it takes into account other | | | | Automakers like Subaru, Honda and Chrysler |
| features to make it stand out from the rest | | | | are also offering auto accessories to protect |
| of the cars in the market. | | | | occupants including pets. These accessories |
| | | | include rubber or plastic mats, steel |
| The Volvo V70 station wagon which is priced | | | | barrier, washable urethane flooring, |
| at $30,045 carries a steel barrier between | | | | expandable cargo-hold, fabric designed to |
| the back seat and the cargo area. Volvo also | | | | resist stains from dirt, oil, and stains. |
| sells vertical dividers and a back gate that | | | | Additionally, Pawshop.com, Petco Animal |
| swings open and they are priced at $157 and | | | | Supplies Inc., and other pet retailers sell |
| $95, respectively. The options are available | | | | removable plastic ramps that assist old or |
| in the XC70 and the XC90. | | | | arthritic dogs climb into cars. |