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