pet travel

[sparks01]

We were asked today how we take crash in our car and when we explained we were then asked is that safe.
Now we are thinking oh my God is this ok.
We transport crash using a portable crate in the hatch of our car, it's a Ford galaxy people carrier.
But we let him stick is head out of the top of the crate. So if it's a short run he usually watches with his head out of the top but if it's a long run then he usually just lies down
How do you transport your pets do you use a harness or not 

[Dani]

 I am SOOOOO naughty . . ..  . Dodge sits on the passenger seat,we have got a seat belt for him but on the way into town he goes all giddy on certain routes,so goes into the back of the van and back to the front and so forth . . . . . he would tangle himself up terribly . . . . I have never liked crates so have never had one for him (ok ok,would have one now but not big enough in the mobile homes to crate train as we just have not got the space for one and hubby would not see the point in investing in one now !!) 

So I would say well done you and dont feel bad !! 

[Kimmikins]

Crates are fine for transportation...I wouldn't let Sara stick her head out of the top though, just in case of an accident. Scrumpy goes in the boot, in a crate and covered with a towel - being able to see everything gets him over-stimulated and hyper and he will cry ALL THE WAY!

Sara currently travels in the boot, loose. We're trying to find a seatbelt adapter for her harness though, and then she'll travel that way. Scrumpy Jack travels in a harness if it's only a short journey, or if he's in my car.

[Kimmikins]

There are no laws governing transporting domestic pets, but the Highway Code - Rule 57 does state

When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.

[baileysworkworld]

When I first had Bailey he would always just be loose in the car. From day one, he travelled to and from work with me so he got used to it pretty quickly!!

One he was lying stretched out on the back seat and I braked suddenly and he toppled on to the floor behind the front seats and got stuck with all 4 legs in the air!!!!



Since I have been looking after other peoples dogs, I always travel client dogs crated.

In my current van I have 8 fixed caged, specially made to my specifications. I'll dig out some photos.

Bailey has his own, biggest space. He puts his front legs on a box and looks over the front seat!

I try and travel each dog separately (sometimes dogs from the same house, or dogs who are very placid/know each other really well will be put in the same cage). I always consider the possibility of me having a car accident. It would be a lot easier to get each dog out individually to transfer to another vehicle on the side of the road.

((I know a dog walker who takes out as many of 12 dogs at one time and has 2 crates in her car, so many dogs are just loose. I would hate to think what she would do if she broke down on the side of the road and had to get them all out safely.))

I also have a friend who had a bad car accident before xmas. His back window shattered and his dog jumped out and ran away. Luckily, he was found safe, sitting in a nearby field, a little bruised and battered but ok.

[kimthecat]

 I have a small crate in the back seat strapped in with a seat belt. I can only get one dog in there usually pip . i have  seat belt harness that fits a tiny dog but ususlly use a wire cat carrier belted up in the front seat for Libby chi .


A bit OT  i can remember when there were no seat belts in the back of some cars and you didnt have to belt up in the front . Kids just used to sit in the back and they would never sit still and always be fighting ! babies woul be put in carry cots on the back seat. You diodnt have to wear helmets on scooters or motor bikes .  Seems shocking now .

[Kimmikins]

I remember when dogs used to roam free on parcel shelves (mind you, you still see this nowadays unfortunately!) and if you weren't tall enough for the seatbelt you'd tuck it under your armpit!

[Adrianne]

I always ask how customers want their dogs in the car - my customers are in the car with them tho.
Cupes I admit sits on the front passenger seat and justs sits bolt upright all the way - there is a harness for him , but I have to admit I rarely put it on him a he just lies down if I ask. he has the entire back of the car to sleep in if he chooses and if I have to put others in they can be tethered if I need to leave the boot open and they have no 'stay in the car' command.

          

[sparks01]

this is crashes crate

[baileysworkworld]

Here are some shots of my van. 4 cages facing back, one lage one accessed by the side door, then one big one behind the drivers seat and two smaller ones behind them.

The two top ones at the back can be jumped into by a staffx, giant snauzer, visla, GSD and some smaller ones I lift in.

Attachments:

[baileysworkworld]

Here are some shots of my van. 4 cages facing back, one lage one accessed by the side door, then one big one behind the drivers seat and two smaller ones behind them.

The two top ones at the back can be jumped into by a staffx, giant snauzer, visla, GSD and some smaller ones I lift in.

[Kimmikins]

Did you have those custom built Lizz?

[Adrianne]

Feb 1, 2014 16:44:59 GMT Kimmikins said:

I remember when dogs used to roam free on parcel shelves (mind you, you still see this nowadays unfortunately!) and if you weren't tall enough for the seatbelt you'd tuck it under your armpit!

I remember when the front seat was a bench seat - and we all sat in the front!

[baileysworkworld]

Feb 2, 2014 22:44:26 GMT Kimmikins said:

Did you have those custom built Lizz?

Yep, they were done to my specifications. I'll try and get a photo of Bailey in there. He has his own special box that he stands on so he can see over the seats!!

[kristina]

Oh dear Xena just sits in the boot of my car,it's high up so she can see everything,so far she has never attempted to jump over the back seats she has outgrown her puppy box so now has the whole of the boot space.She just sits or lays down while travelling.Have to say she is very good in the car never attempts to jump out when I open the boot door until I lift her out.Connor took her out in his Volvo,his boot area is huge and he had to tempt her out with titbits as he couldn't reach her she was glued (he said) to the back of it and he made her jump out and jump back in.My neighbor I know has harnesses for her 2 westies,my other neighbor is like me just lets Brew have the boot area.I do have a dog guard but truly don't want to use it for me it would be a pain just putting it up every time I needed to,my car goes between Xena and my mum's wheelchair on almost a daily basis.If I can get away with it as things are I will.Did it for many years and for my kids too,no seat belts 40yrs ago or dog guards.I truly appreciate the safety side of things but for the mo will go day to day.Kristina