pet connection

Update 4: Click on the image to jump over to “Good Morning America” and view the segment:

.

Not really a surprise consider that we also run DogCars.com — thanks to Kim and Keith! — we have a more than passing interest in getting people to take their pets with them when they hit the road, and do it safely.

Seems everyone’s pretty interested in that now, especially car companies, who have figured out that pet-lovers are worth chasing. Point of fact: We caught Honda completely unaware in 2007 when we named their Element the first DogCars.com Best In Show DogCar of the Year.

Didn’t take them long to see the opportunity, though, and they’ve  recently released a special Element with a package of dog-friendly options. Toyota jumped on it, too, aiming the Venza at dog-lovers.

Toyota and Honda: You’re welcome!

It’s not just the car companies, though: The after-market accessory folks are hot on the trail of canine travelers, too.

Our Dr. Marty Becker broke  it all down this morning, with a “Good Morning America” segment on dog-friendly cars and all the latest in canine travel accessories. Check it out!

While some other automakers are grabbing all the headlines with their financial issues, Mazda has quietly been busy producing vehicles for drivers who like to hit the road with their beloved four-legged family members.

Recently, DogCars.com reviewer Kim Campbell-Thornton was given the opportunity to test drive two of Mazda’s newest models: The 2010 Mazda 3i and 2009 Mazda 6 Grand Touring editions. While neither of the sedans proved to be entirely dog friendly for large breeds or multiple dog families, they each sported similar qualities that gave Kim a reason to smile.

Mazda calls it “Zoom Zoom Zoom.”

Check out Kim’s insightful reviews on these two Mazda models — along with many others — on DogCars.com.

In an effort to keep the dog-loving world up to date with how today’s vehicles rate as potential canine carriers, the reviewers at our DogCars.com Web site have been busy testing some of today’s top automotive products with an eye toward how they meet the needs of our four-legged family members.

Most recently, we tested a trio of new Toyota models: the all-new Venza, redesigned RAV4 and the fourth generation 4Runner.

The Venza was introduced earlier this year as a true DogCar because Toyota is offering a host of accessories that are designed to keep your pups safe and comfortable while traveling in the crossover wagon. Popular pet products manufacturers Kurgo and Solvit have signed on to outfit the Venza with harnesses, booster seats, barriers and even a ramp that can all be ordered and installed through the dealer.

While the RAV4 and the 4Runner are veterans in the Toyota lineup, each has gone through a series of redesigns that make them better now than ever before for dog-loving travelers.

For complete reviews of these and many other vehicles from a dog-owner’s perspective, visit DogCars.com.

Today at the New York Auto Show, Honda introduced a new concept version of the dog-friendly Element that is designed to push the SUV ahead of the DogCar pack.

You’ll recall that the Element was named the 2007 DogCar of the Year by the expert reviewers at Pet Connection sister site DogCars.com, making it a trailblazer as the first vehicle to receive that honor. At the time, the news of the award caught the Honda marketing folks off-guard, forcing them to scramble out a new advertising campaign that focused on the highly lucrative pet products market rather than the twenty-something surfers and cyclists that they had been targeting.

Now we learn that Honda has not only embraced the Element’s DogCar attributes, but in fact is introducing a new version with a plethora of dog-friendly features, including a few that have never before been seen on the pet market.

Some of the standout dog-friendly features that have our tails wagging include:

• Extendable pet ramp that stores underneath the bed platform
• Pet restraint systems in the second row and cargo area
• Second-row seat covers
• Electric rear ventilation fan
• Spill-resistant water bowl
• Dog-friendly badge on vehicle’s exterior.

Of course, all of these are in addition to the Element’s already dog-friendly attributes such as an easy-to-clean urethane floor, wide and flat cargo area and wide-opening side doors.

In Honda’s press release announcing the new Element concept, the company not only mentioned the DogCars.com award, but also showed that it hasn’t lost its sense of humor even in these tough economic times.

“In an interesting turn of events, cars are now chasing dogs,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. “Factory integration of a cushioned pet bed, restraint systems and other components are intended to transform the Element into the ultimate dog car.”

While today’s announcement was just about the conceptual version of the dog-friendly Element, it is expected that the model will debut on the market this fall.

Guess you can say that the Honda folks have finally decided to embrace their inner dogma.

In Germany, land of the no-speed limit autobahn, drivers are required to keep pets restrained while in the car. While Americans are required to let infants and toddlers ride in appropriate car seats, we have no regulations for pet restraints. Nonetheless, anyone who places a premium on safety needs to understand that unrestrained pets can become projectile missiles during a car accident.

Of course, at certain speeds and types of collisions, nothing will save any occupant. So the idea becomes:  What is the safest reasonable way for you to protect your pet?

According to the ADAC (sort of a German equivalent to AAA), the worst one is what most Americans use: a harness a dog wears that attaches to the seat belt. Unfortunately, one carabineer clip is not going to hold a dog in a 65-mph collision:

A comparative study of various pet restraint systems shows that good pet securing systems are available starting under €30.00. The decisive factor is where and how these systems are installed in the vehicle. At an impact speed of 50kph (31 mph) and using a 22kg (48.5 lb) dog dummy and a 4kg (8.5 lb) cat dummy, most of the systems failed. The only convincing and safe solution is using a pet carrier which is secured in the correct position. The test revealed that the safest place to put pet carriers is the floor behind the driver’s or front passenger’s seats or alternatively the boot.

How often do you go over 31 mph? I drive faster than that every time I drive. If you do too, their summary recommends a system with two ties rather than one.

The most flawed were dog restraint systems consisting of a harness with tie-in(s) to the vehicle belt or belt buckle. The system with only one tie-in is the weakest and cannot restrain the 22kg (48.5 lb) dog dummy. The carabineer connector breaks and the pet dummy crashes into the front seat backrest causing a deformation over 30cm (11 inches) deep.
…
Very stable harnesses can reduce the occupants’ injury risk provided they come with large belts with metal attachments and two tie-ins.

Their conclusion for the safest method:

Comparing the pet restraint systems, we found that a large dog can be safely secured and danger prevented for the occupants only by using a large carrier installed in the boot (trunk) and a stable partition grille.

Here is the ADAC report, if you want to read the whole thing.

If you use crates, the safest approach is to tether them to the car.

If you have a friend who is not convinced that their dog and cat needs to be restrained and you want to scare the crap out of them or scare some common sense into them (or you need a little convincing yourself) check out these ADAC videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYms1d6oyz8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpA798rXSc0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdai01PKVYY&feature=related
(it would help if you speak German, but you can understand the intent)

“Buckle up for safety” applies to all your occupants, furry and otherwise.

Image: Loose dog in truck. Illegal in some places, dangerous and irresponsible in all.