Bark Buckle UP Partners with Volvo Cars to Educate Pet Owners about Pet Travel Safety

Bark Buckle UP, a leader in the pet safety industry, announced recently that it is partnering with Volvo Cars, the car manufacturer noted for auto safety, in launching a campaign that will educate pet owners nationwide about pet travel safety. The Pet Safety Day campaign will inform pet owners how to properly secure their pets and travel safely this summer.

Selected Volvo Showrooms across the United States and Canada will host Pet Safety Days from June through September 2008. Open to the general public and their pets, the safety events will educate pet owners about pet safety products and offer tips for traveling safely with pets.

Christina Selter, Bark Buckle UP founder and pet travel safety expert, will visit select Pet Safety Days to answer questions, offer expertise, and demonstrate how easy it is to keep your pet safe.

"Seat belts protect millions of people every day. In the event of an accident, an unrestrained pet can escape and be hit by another vehicle, cause another collision, or attack emergency crews trying to reach an injured party," Selter said. "It only takes a few minutes to safeguard your pet and by properly securing your pet, you are protecting yourself, your passengers, and your pet from injury, not to mention protecting other drivers and strangers trying to help."

An unrestrained 60-pound dog traveling at 35 mph creates an impact of 2,700 pounds, crashing into a car seat, windshield, or passenger. Even if the animal survives, it can hinder rescue workers who need every second possible to save accident victims. Many states and provinces now require pet restraints in moving vehicles because they offer several advantages:
• Helping protect pets in the a collision
• Preventing pets from running loose and distracting the driver, and
• Preventing pets from escaping through an open window or door.

"We chose to partner with Volvo because we share a similar mission: to provide safety for all passengers, people and pets," said Selter. "Currently less than 2% of American pet parents restrain their pets while traveling. Our goal, together with Volvo, is to educate people to ensure that pet safety, before and after an accident occurs becomes a top priority."

Participating Volvo Retailers will display the Bark Buckle UP Pet Travel Safety program and information, as well as offer visitors the Bark Buckle UP Pet Safety Kit — FREE of charge. The kit includes an emergency pet card and safety decal. Both the card and decal list important information, such as if you have a pet at home in need of care, who to call to care for your pet if they've been in an accident with you, and the name and phone number of your pet's veterinarian. The information provided in the Bark Buckle UP Pet Safety Kit will help rescue workers properly seek care for your pet, in the event of an accident.

Bark Buckle UP continues to work in tandem with fire, police and rescue officials across the US to gain their support and teach them where to find the emergency pet card and static sticker.

Daniel Johnston, Product Communications, Volvo Cars of North America, said, "Now is the time to educate consumers about the importance of pet safety restraints. Summer is almost here and with many travelers wary of flight delays, families will bring their children and their pets to destinations accessible by car. Few people understand how dangerous traveling with an unrestrained pet can be. That's why Volvo has partnered with Bark Buckle UP to support Pet Safety Days and provide the tools travelers need to keep all family members safe."

Bark Buckle UP recently honored the Volvo XC90 as the Pet SAFE Vehicle of Choice in America.

For more information and an updated list of participating Volvo dealerships, visit http://www.BarkBuckleUP.com.

Online courses are now available to educate drivers on the rules of the road and the latest defensive driving techniques. Try it today!