Saturday, April 25, 2009

Sacramento is Barking "Bark Buckle UP"


SACRAMENTO, CA. America’s recognized pet safety advocate, Bark Buckle UP, whose work with first responders brings the important message of traveling safely with dogs and cats, brought its message to Sacramento this week. Spokeswoman Christina Selter discussed the Bark Buckle Up’s BE SMART—RIDE SAFE® Pet Travel Safety Program and measures pet owners should adapt in their vehicles to lessen the risk of injury and even death when traveling with dogs or cats.

As a direct result of Bark Buckle UP’s mission, first responders, such as police, firefighters and animal rescue agencies throughout the country look for the Bark Buckle UP decal on a car, which alerts them that a dog or cat may be inside or may have escaped from a car involved in an accident. This insures that every effort will be made to get an injured pet to a veterinarian in the shortest possible time, or find the pet if indeed it has escaped from the accident scene.

Commissioner California Highway Patrol (CHP)Joe Farrow, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Capt. Christian Pebbles, Capt. Jim Doucette of the Sacramento Fire Department and Reina Schwartz, director of Animal Care Services discussed the importance of pet travel safety.


“When responding to a collision, our primary concern is coordinating the required medical needs of any of the injured victims and traffic control,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Any delays in the caring of victims because of the need to deal with a frightened or injured animal can and should be avoided.”

“With proper responsibility these animals do not have to die,” said Captain Christian Pebbles Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.
“The Firefighters of the Sacramento Fire Department respond to countless auto accidents. Unfortunately many of these accidents also involve pets that become crash victims, because they are not secure inside the vehicle. Many of our Firefighters are pet owners and we know first hand that by securing your animal inside your vehicle properly, you may save their life in an accident,” stated Captain Jim Doucette Sacramento Fire Department.

Special guest Doctor Tom Kendall, Director American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) demonstrated safety gear and the ease of traveling safe with your pet with his furry friend Sherry.
“Pets play such an important role in our lives; making sure they are safe when traveling helps ensure that they are around for a long time,” said Reina Schwartz, director of Animal Care Services.

National safety statistics indicate the number of pets traveling in vehicles continues to grow—and so do the number of pet fatalities. "I'll bet dog bones to dollars that 99.9 percent of pets travel unrestrained. Our mission is to make first responders—that is, police, fire fighters, and EMT's—aware of the fact that a pet may be a passenger in a car involved in a crash, and that they need to look out for, and care for, that animal if indeed it has been injured—or has gone missing,” Selter explained.


The number of pets traveling with their owners has increased 300 percent since 2005, and over 98 percent of pets that travel in cars are not restrained. “Pet owners need to realize that it is just as important to buckle their pet up as it is to buckle themselves up when the get into a car,” Selter said. “We all know that wearing a seatbelt saves human lives. Well, it saves pet lives, as well. It costs nothing to strap yourself into your seatbelt—but the cost of not wearing a seat belt can cost you your life. The same applies to your dog or cat.”

Crash tests show that a car traveling at 35 mph with an unrestrained 60-pound dog causes an impact of 2,700 pounds in a crash. That’s equivalent to an elephant crashing into a car seat, windshield or worse, a passenger. Chances are an animal cannot survive such an impact. A further difficulty is that an unrestrained pet can impede the progress of first responders. Every second counts in getting to those injured in a car crash. If the crash scene is complicated by a dog that has been injured, or worse yet, has escaped from the car and is frantically running loose, a secondary accident in which the dog runs into oncoming traffic can occur, causing additional injuries or even death.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Reporters Speak UP about Bark Buckle UP the Real Pet Safety Program

Written by Yegster:
Bark Buckle Up Campaign is stirring up the automakers I have to give a good friend of mine a lot of credit for what she has done. Christina Selter is the founder of Bark Buckle Up http://www.barkbuckleup.com

Bark Buckle UP has been traveling the country putting on press events, attending auto shows, and visiting car dealerships to demonstrate what people should be doing to secure pets in their vehicles while traveling with them.

Initially she worked with Volvo to launch a dealer campaign utilizing the Pet Safe Vehicle of the Year – the 2008 Volvo XC90. The crowds that attended her press releases at the auto shows were incredible! Imagine 15 dogs running around and barking and hundreds of photo journalists trying to get photos of them with Christina and the barrage of police and fire personnel that were part of the news release.

Well, for 2009, the GMC Acadia Sport Utility vehicle won the Pet Safe Vehicle award and two other manufacturers took note – Toyota, beginning a campaign of their own at the Chicago Auto show and now Honda, who installed pet safety equipment in an Element to carry on the cause.

One person can make a difference in people’s lives and in this particular case, your pet’s life. When that person is someone you know and she delivered a message that has now caught the attention of 25 auto manufacturers, I can’t say enough about how proud I am of her.

You go girl!!! Keep on these guys until you get them all on board!!!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Christina Selter Pet Safety Expert from Bark Buckle UP on Petopia TV

Petopia reporter Michelle Brubaker interviewed Christina Selter at the Bark Buckle UP Pet Safety Day in San Diego with dogs hopping in and out of the General Motors Acadia Pet Safe Vehicle of Choice winner 2009.

Giant 225 pound dogs all the way to 3 pounder Yorkie all test drove the Acadia with their families. Take a peek at the wonderful coverage from Petopia.TV

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

More then 100 dogs test drive GMC Acadia Pet Safe Vehicle of Choice Winner

As most of you know Bark Buckle UP and the pet safety days tour last weekend more then 100 dogs test drive GMC Acadia Pet Safe Vehicle of Choice Winner.

Everyone loved the Acadia and Marvin K Brown, three Acadia's were none stop for more then 3 hours for all dogs and their families. Even a lottery winner came down to buy the Acadia after seeing Christina Selter the official Pet Safety Expert on KUSI.
KSON mascot was there to check it out and won a Pet Buckle Harness along with over 175 dogs and their families stopped by to check it out.
A big thank you went out for all paws up to:
Dogswell
PetBuckle tethers
SleepyPod
Wellness
Roadie Ruff Rider
Bamboo travel bowls, quick connects
Pet People retail store
K9 Canvas from Evolve Digital
Pug Rescue/Adoptions
PawYard Photo Booth
Union Tribune Mark Maynard
GM Blogger
Pet Topia TV
KUSI Dave Stall
NBC
KSON Toni
Bark Buckle UP Volunteers and the hard working Marvin K Brown team!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Bark Buckle UP Spring Pet Safety Day San Diego

Bark Buckle UP was featured at Marvin K Brown GMC for the Pet Safety Day 2009 Kick Off, over 100 dogs and their families test drove the 2009 Acadia Pet Safe Vehicle of Choice. The Acadia and Bark Buckle UP were a huge hit.

Bark Buckle UP Pet Safety Days travel the nation and Canada teaching pet safety not just for around vehicles, but home, emergencies, travel and day to day care. Visit the website for a city event near you.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Bark Buckle UP Tests Pet Products for Lead

Bark Buckle UP the leader and experts in pet travel safety, test products to set the guidelines and regulations for quality, ease of use and safety. Bark Buckle UP has added lead testing to the pet safety program. By testing, pet toys, pet beds, pet carriers, pet clothing, misc pet products for lead content and safety we will safe lives and make the public aware of products that are being sold that are not safe for our pets or homes.

Here are some simple guidelines and tips to follow from Bark Buckle UP:
1) Purchase products made in the USA
2) Brand name products
3) Look for the Bark Buckle UP seal or testing results on packaging
4) Avoid painted products (ex: painted dog house, food/water bowls not from USA)
5) If not sure DO NOT BUY, investigate or email Bark Buckle UP
6) Tennis balls (just ask Marshall several surgeries to remove pieces)
7) Products with removable or chewable areas need to be secure
8) Read instructions, labels and investigate
9) Products pet size appropreiate (small dog small toy)
10) Supervise your pets with all toys, bones, chews, snacks, foods

LEAD What is it?
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes.

Lead poisoning may cause a range of health issues or disabilities:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Frantic Barking
- Appetite Loss
- Lethargy
- Muscle/Joint Pain
- Convulsions
- Blindness

"If you feel that your pet may have Lead Poisoning consult your Veterinarian immediately." stated Christina Selter Pet Safety Expert with Bark Buckle UP.