Traveling with unrestrained pets can endanger you

Traveling with a cat or dog loose in the car can result in accidents, runaway animals, and even death to pet and driver.
Christina Selter, founder of pet safety group BarkBuckleUp in San Diego, says these disasters can be avoided by using special devices that keep pets safely restrained.
The organization drew attention to the issue at a recent Volvo-sponsored exhibit at the Chicago Auto Show. Volvo, known for its safety efforts, offers factory-installed kennels for pets in its XC90 or V70 wagons, for instance. Other car companies are considering offering equipment aimed at pet safety, too.
A look at national statistics shows the potential impact and importance of restraining pets in vehicles. More than 67 percent of U.S. households own a pet, with 44.8 million owning a dog and 71 million owning a cat, according to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association.