Taking your pet along with you for a ride in the car is not an uncommon thing. After all, there are crates and carriers that help keep our pets safe… right? Well, actually you might want to rethink taking your dog or cat with you next time you hit the road.
The Center for Pet Safety recently conducted a crash-test study, analyzing how well pet carriers, harnesses and seats really work during collisions.
What’s very startling is that many do not work… at all. “After our findings in 2013, we were eager to continue working to bring accountability to the pet products industry, while highlighting the products that will help improve safety for the entire family during their travels together,” said Lindsey Wolko, Founder and CEO of Center for Pet Safety. “In partnership with Subaru, the 2015 studies were truly eye-opening and will once again help bring pet safety awareness to millions of pet parents around the globe.”
The CPS tested eight carriers to see how they would hold up during a crash at 30 mph. Only two of the models, the Pet Ego Jet Set Forma Frame Carrier (and ISOFIX-Latch Connection) and the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed, didn’t detach from their anchors and kept the stuffed pet inside.
When it came to harnesses, only the Sleepypod Clickit Utility passed the test. There was only one crate that met standards as well: the Gunner Kennel G1 Intermediate. None of the brands tested for pet seat safety passed the test of security.
This is pretty terrifying knowing that even when you’re trying to be practice safety with your pet, everything could go wrong if you end up in a collision.
So what can you do to protect your pet? The CPS advises buying only the products that pass their test.
For the full results, click here, and watch the video below.
What do you think of the Center for Pet Safety’s crash tests?
