This year, Bark Buckle UP founder Pet Safety Lady Christina Selter and Brandy Schaffels of AskPatty.com awarded Pet Safe Choice Awards to the Top Ten Vehicles, Hotel, Retailer, and Airline. During the presentation, Sheriff Patrick Perez with Marshall the Bomb Sniffing Dog and two dozen other furry friends hopped in and out of cars and stole the show with their animal antics and demonstrations of dog and car travel safety.
“Most people don’t think about it, but in only a 35 mph accident with a 60-pound pet it becomes a 2,700 pound projectile. This will injure the pet, passengers, driver or the pet may escape the vehicle and cause a second accident or become agitated and bite the first responder that is on scene doing their job,” stated Selter.The vehicles are evaluated on a variety of pet-related aspects, including how easily the vehicle accommodates animals and kennels of various sizes, ease of access to pet from within the vehicle, ease of pet entry and exit, ventilation for animals in the rear, as well as whether the vehicle has pet-friendly surfaces, adaptability for third party pet travel or safety gear and their ease of cleanup.
During testing of the registered vehicles, Bark Buckle UP created video footage of each vehicle along with dogs demonstrating vehicle highlights. To view videos: Pet Safe Choice Awards Winners 2010
2010 Top Ten Pet Safe Vehicle
Chrysler Town & Country
Dodge Journey
Ford Edge
Ford Flex
Ford Transit Connect
Kia Soul
Honda Element Pet Friendly Package
Lincoln MKT
Smart Car
Volvo XC60
*Listed in alphabetical order
Retailer, Hotel and Airline*
BassPro Shops
Sheraton Hotels
Southwest Airlines
Statistics:
35 MPH accident with a 60-pound pet unrestrained becomes a 2,700-pound projectile
98% of dogs do not travel properly restrained in a moving vehicle
Driver distraction causes more accidents then any other issue
82% of pets travel on vacation with their owners
Pet friendly lodging has increased 300% since 2005
Over 70 million homes in America have a pet
Media attending will receive a doggie bag/media kit after the awards conclude, plus a set of pet oxygen masks to donate to their local fire department.
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ABOUT: Christina Selter, "Pet Safety Lady",” founder of Bark Buckle UP, Bark10-4 and the Bark Buckle UP Charity, works closely with Fire, Police, Coast Guard and EMT personnel who support the safety program and has been featured at International Auto Shows, Pet Expos, Television, Radio, News Articles and guest speaking engagements nationwide. Bark Buckle UP is the recognized innovative leader and experts for pet travel safety. Bark Buckle UP educates and promotes awareness for pet safety while traveling with our pets.
The Ask Patty.com, Inc. website and blog AskPatty.com is a safe place for women to get advice on car buying, maintenance, and other automotive-related topics. Women can shop for cars, tires, and automotive service through the AskPatty network of Certified Female Friendly retailers across the U.S. and Canada. Watch AskPatty.com for additional pet safety features and information from the Pet Safety Lady and Bark Buckle Up!
Media Contact:
BarkBuckleUP
949 361 BARK (2275)
Email Bark@BarkBuckleUP.com
- Be Smart Ride Safe®
