Poppy is ready to go in the back seat of a Zipcar. Both she and the car are protected.
This is a wonderful time of year to take day trips or weekends away that include your canine pals. I know we love to take Poppy along when we have adventures. But, we also need to keep the rental car or Zipcar clean. And, if you have your own car, these tips will work for you too!
Zipcar is very specific on what they require if you take your dog in one of their vehicles. The rules say,
"Can I take my pet in a Zipcar?
Yes, but only when it's kept in a locked pet carrier. Many members are allergic to pet hair so if any happen to escape the pet carrier, please clean it up before your reservation comes to an end.
Service animals used by disabled members or passengers with disabilities are an exception. These animals are allowed in the car without a pet carrier."
Traditional rental company's each have their own statement on this. We use Budget and here is what they say at the time of this writing.
"Do you permit pets in the rental car?
Answer: Housebroken pets are invited to travel in your rental car, just as they do in your personal car. Although Budget doesn't assess an extra fee for pets, pet owners will incur an additional charge for any damage caused by animals, or any special cleaning required as a result of shedding or accidents."
Poppy Loves Car Rides
Poppy loves going with us for car rides. But, we have had other dogs who suffered from motion sickness and in the past have transported rescue dogs we didn't know well. We learned that a few layers of protection and a couple of precautions were smart.
Protective Enclosure
A crate or pet carrier snugged in place with the car seatbelt will help keep your dog safer in a sudden stop or accident. It will also keep your dog from distracting the driver. We didn't take it on the short trip with Poppy (shown in the photo), but we have a great water cup that clamps on to the crate
and won't spill easily.
Protect the Car
A waterproof mat
under the crate will protect the car from water spills or any other puppy problem. We still add a disposable puppy pad
to the front of the crate from years of traveling with a car sick dog.
Do you have a tip for traveling with a dog? Please share in the comments below.
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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino
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