Travel Safety for your pet
In 2022 there were estimated to be more than 28.7 million pets in Australia, with nearly 7 million of Australia's 10 million households home to pets.
At 61%, Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world.
Australia’s pet population is estimated at 28.7 million, with 6.9 million households owning a pet today.
You can view statistics elsewhere in the world here.
Our pets are generally considered family members and many will regularly travel with their family in a car or on the back of a Ute.
It is vitally important that in an accident we protect ourselves, our family and our pets. Having an unrestrained pet in the car or on a Ute, not only puts them at risk, it also puts you at risk.
Your pet may interfere with your ability to drive by climbing on you or distracting you.
An unrestrained pet can also become a missile in a sudden stop or impact, not only injuring or killing the pet, but also you or your passengers.
In the event of an accident – an unrestrained pet may escape in fear, or even prevent emergency personal from assisting you.
The Legalities
There are also legal ramifications for not ensuring your pet is restrained adequately.
These vary from state to state. In Queensland pets cannot be transported in a way that is inappropriate for the
animal’s welfare.
You are legally required to make sure your dog is safe, secure and comfortable when travelling inside a vehicle or on a vehicle tray or trailer.
A maximum penalty of $9,288.00 applies.
Working dogs can ride in a tray or trailer without being secured if they are helping move livestock.
It is cruel to transport any animal (including a dog) in an unsuitable container or vehicle, or in a way that is inappropriate for its welfare. This may include:
(Agriculture and Fisheries, 2023)
3 things to consider with effective restraint
How to restrain your pet safely in a car
Use a crash tested cage, car harness seat restraint or cargo barrier.
Using a cargo barrier is not the best option – yes it will protect you, but does little to protect your pet in the event of an accident.
A pet should not travel in the front seat of a motor vehicle, especially those with dash airbags. Airbags will eject with such force that the impact on a small or undersized passenger is dramatically increased. This in itself creates a head on collision between the airbag and the dog. If an airbag can break the neck of a 6 year old child, imagine what it could do to your dog or cat.
Cage:
The cage needs to be secured within the car – this can be using anchor points or using the cars existing seat belts.
The dog needs to be able to comfortably stand up, turn around and lay down.
Harness:
If using a harness to secure your dog, please be aware that not all harnesses that are advertised as car harnesses are created equal. Most in fact have not been crash tested and will not adequately protect you or your pet in the event of an accident.
The dog should be correctly fitted with the appropriate sized harness – don’t buy one that your puppy will grow in to, instead commit to your puppy and either use a secure cage, or purchase appropriate sized harnesses as the puppy grows.
An NRMA test conducted on 25 harnesses with claims as car harnesses, resulted in only 2 harnesses that effectively restrained the pet in an accident. See below under Crash Tested Equipment for more information.
Be aware that there are many harnesses advertised in Australia as a Car Harness.
The immediate list below consists those that occurred at the top of my google search “car harness Australia” results. For these I cannot find any crash testing (either independent or conducted by the manufacturer).
At 61%, Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world.
Australia’s pet population is estimated at 28.7 million, with 6.9 million households owning a pet today.
- Almost 48% of households in Australia own at least one dog, followed by 33% cats, 12% fish, and 10.5% birds. A national survey of people and pets in Australia lists dogs as the pet owners’ choice.
You can view statistics elsewhere in the world here.
Our pets are generally considered family members and many will regularly travel with their family in a car or on the back of a Ute.
It is vitally important that in an accident we protect ourselves, our family and our pets. Having an unrestrained pet in the car or on a Ute, not only puts them at risk, it also puts you at risk.
Your pet may interfere with your ability to drive by climbing on you or distracting you.
An unrestrained pet can also become a missile in a sudden stop or impact, not only injuring or killing the pet, but also you or your passengers.
In the event of an accident – an unrestrained pet may escape in fear, or even prevent emergency personal from assisting you.
The Legalities
There are also legal ramifications for not ensuring your pet is restrained adequately.
These vary from state to state. In Queensland pets cannot be transported in a way that is inappropriate for the
animal’s welfare.
You are legally required to make sure your dog is safe, secure and comfortable when travelling inside a vehicle or on a vehicle tray or trailer.
A maximum penalty of $9,288.00 applies.
Working dogs can ride in a tray or trailer without being secured if they are helping move livestock.
It is cruel to transport any animal (including a dog) in an unsuitable container or vehicle, or in a way that is inappropriate for its welfare. This may include:
- transporting the animal with too few or too many other animals, or with an incompatible species
- not providing the animal with appropriate breaks
- confining the animal in a way that causes heat stress or other pain.
(Agriculture and Fisheries, 2023)
3 things to consider with effective restraint
- It must keep the animal safe and restrained
- The driver of the vehicle is less likely to be distracted by their moving pet
- An unrestrained pet could injure not only themselves but also those around them in a collision.
How to restrain your pet safely in a car
Use a crash tested cage, car harness seat restraint or cargo barrier.
Using a cargo barrier is not the best option – yes it will protect you, but does little to protect your pet in the event of an accident.
A pet should not travel in the front seat of a motor vehicle, especially those with dash airbags. Airbags will eject with such force that the impact on a small or undersized passenger is dramatically increased. This in itself creates a head on collision between the airbag and the dog. If an airbag can break the neck of a 6 year old child, imagine what it could do to your dog or cat.
Cage:
The cage needs to be secured within the car – this can be using anchor points or using the cars existing seat belts.
The dog needs to be able to comfortably stand up, turn around and lay down.
Harness:
If using a harness to secure your dog, please be aware that not all harnesses that are advertised as car harnesses are created equal. Most in fact have not been crash tested and will not adequately protect you or your pet in the event of an accident.
The dog should be correctly fitted with the appropriate sized harness – don’t buy one that your puppy will grow in to, instead commit to your puppy and either use a secure cage, or purchase appropriate sized harnesses as the puppy grows.
An NRMA test conducted on 25 harnesses with claims as car harnesses, resulted in only 2 harnesses that effectively restrained the pet in an accident. See below under Crash Tested Equipment for more information.
Be aware that there are many harnesses advertised in Australia as a Car Harness.
The immediate list below consists those that occurred at the top of my google search “car harness Australia” results. For these I cannot find any crash testing (either independent or conducted by the manufacturer).
- Ezy Dog Chest Plate Harness
- Petmate seat belt and car harness
- Masterpet car harness
- Beau Pets car harness
How to restrain in a Ute
When travelling with a dog on your Ute, it is important that the dog be tethered or caged at all times. The dog must not be able to fall from the tray.
Cage requirements:
- Covered to protect from sun, wind and rain
- Placed and secured behind the cabin – this will reduce exposure to dust and wind.
- The correct size to comfortably contain your dog
Tether:
- If you choose to tether rather than cage, use a strong lead or chain. These need to be secured from a point in the middle of the cabin. The lead needs to allow enough room for the dog to move and change position, but not allow the dog to reach or lean over the Utes side.
- The tether should be attached to a strong and secure (escape proof) harness. Restraining using a collar, will result in a high risk of neck injury should you be involved in a sudden stop or accident.
General Points:
Ensure the floors of the tray or cage are covered and non-slip. Metal will heat up fast in our Australian climate and your dog’s paws may burn.
Provide water in a spill proof bowl.
If your dog is travelling with equipment in the tray, ensure that the equipment is well secured – flying projectiles could injure you or your dog.
Also another thing to remember be aware of pedestrians that may pass your Ute, and ensure that your dog cannot reach or endanger them.
Crash tested equipment
You can find both crash tested harnesses, and a limited range of crash tested cages/crates.
NRMA Insurance Head of Research Robert McDonald said the testing was undertaken to urge pet owners to consider the safety of their pets and passengers when travelling in vehicles.
“Our tests showed that an unrestrained pet sitting on the back seat of a car can hit the dashboard with enough force to cause serious injury, even at a collision speed below 20km/h,” said Mr McDonald.
NRMA Insurance tested a variety of dog safety harnesses on the market using life size and correctly weighted dog ‘dummies’ at speeds of up to 35km/h.
Of the 25 pet harnesses tested across a range of manufacturers, all but two failed to restrain the ‘dummy’, due to the use of weak plastic buckles similar to those used on most backpacks.
The only two harnesses that didn’t fail were the Purina Roadie harness and the Sleepypod Clickit harness. Unlike the other harnesses, the adjusting buckles and webbing stood up to both the 35km/h drop test and in-car low speed crash test of up to 20km/h.
https://www.choice.com.au/transport/cars/accessories/articles/dog-car-harness (the most readily available harnesses from the 25 tested)
Crash Tested Harnesses available in Australia (The two top harnesses are those that were tested and passed by NRMA)
Crash Tested Cages
Variocage is a crash tested transport cage for cats and dogs that is available in Australia.
- Sleepypod Clickit http://www.sleepypod.com.au/category_s/100.htm
- Petlife Roadie https://www.petlife.com.au/harness-your-hound/
- Ruff Wear Load-Up http://www.ruffwear.com/Load-Up-Harness?sc=2&category=1131
- Kurgo Tru fit http://www.kurgo.com/harnesses/enhanced-strength-tru-fit-dog-car-harness/
- Solvit Deluxe Car Safety Harness http://zoxoro.com.au/Products/Solvit-Deluxe-Car-Safety-Harness-Small.html
- Ezydog Drive Car Harness http://ezydog.com.au/drive-car-harness/ (this is a new one to the market Nov 2016)
Crash Tested Cages
Variocage is a crash tested transport cage for cats and dogs that is available in Australia.
What to do if you are involved in an accident with your pet
If your pet is involved in an accident please seek veterinary attention - even if they appear currently well. Injuries can be internal, and may not be immediately apparent however could prove life threatening.
You should report to the veterinarian any of the following
- Respiratory difficulties including unusual panting, gasping, deep laboured breaths or shallow rapid breaths
- Know your pets normal mucous membrane (gum) colour, and report any changes, especially a drop in colour – pale pink or white, or cyanosis (a tinge of blue).
- Any unconscious event (even if appear recovered), disorientation or apparent lack of awareness.
- Reluctance or inability for your pet to move, stand or walk
- Any limping
- Bleeding from anywhere (this includes mouth, ears, eye, nose, anus, genital and urinary tracts as well as skin trauma).
- Vomiting
I hope the information above will help you make an informed decision not only for your safety but for that of your passengers and your pet.
References
Agriculture and Fisheries (2023) Transporting dogs in vehicles, Business Queensland. Available at: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/animal/move/guidelines/dogs (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
Business.qld.gov.au. (2016). Transporting dogs in Utes | Queensland Government. [online] Available at: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industry/agriculture/animal-management/land-management-for-livestock-farms/welfare-movement-livestock/animal-welfare/animal-welfare-during-transport/transporting-dogs-Utes [Accessed 25 Jul. 2016].
Byrne, G. and Hynes, R. (2013). Dog car harnesses - Car accessories - CHOICE. [online] www.choice.com. Available at: https://www.choice.com.au/transport/cars/accessories/articles/dog-car-harness [Accessed 25 Jul. 2016].
Kurgo Dog Products. (2016). Enhanced Strength Tru-Fit Dog Car Harness. [online] Available at: http://www.kurgo.com/harnesses/enhanced-strength-tru-fit-dog-car-harness/ [Accessed 25 Jul. 2016].
Martyn, M. (2024) Eye-opening pet ownership Statistics & Trends in 2024, WAF. Available at: https://worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/pet-ownership-statistics/ (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
Miller, P. (n.d.). Driving Safely with Your Dog | Whole Dog Journal. [online] Whole-dog-journal.com. Available at: http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/9_10/features/Dog_Transportation_15845-1.html [Accessed 25 Jul. 2016].
NRMA Insurance. (2013). Paws and secure your puppy. [online] Available at: http://www.nrma.com.au/paws-and-
secure-your-puppy [Accessed 25 Jul. 2016].
"Pet Ownership Statistics | Australian Veterinary Association". Ava.com.au. N.p., 2013. Web. 25 July 2016.
Petlife.com.au. (2016). Harness Your Hound | Petlife. [online] Available at: https://www.petlife.com.au/harness-your-hound/ [Accessed 25 Jul. 2016].
QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT, (2016). Transport Operations (Road Use Management - Vehicle Standards and Safety) Regulation 2010. Queensland, pp.17 June 2016.
Ruffwear.com. (2016). [online] Available at: http://www.ruffwear.com/Load-Up-Harness?sc=2&category=1131http://www.ruffwear.com/Load-Up-Harness?sc=2&category=1131 [Accessed 25 Jul. 2016].
Sleepypod.com.au. (2016). Dog Harness for Car - Clickit | Sleepypod Australia. [online] Available at: http://www.sleepypod.com.au/category_s/100.htm [Accessed 25 Jul. 2016].
Zoxoro.com.au - DEPARTMENT MEGASTORE. (2016). Zoxoro.com.au | Solvit Deluxe Car Safety Harness - Small. [online] Available at: http://zoxoro.com.au/Products/Solvit-Deluxe-Car-Safety-Harness-Small.html [Accessed 25 Jul. 2016].