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