Should your pet wear a seatbelt in your RV?

I came across an article about the Toyota Venza, a car introduced last year, that offers several  pet-friendly options. One is a leash tether for securing your pet in the vehicle. According to their press release:

A recent survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association revealed that half of all dog owners consider their pet's comfort when buying a car. And with unrestrained pets causing more than 30,000 accidents annually, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), more states are passing and considering legislation requiring pets to be secured for their own safety and to reduce driver distractions.

Do you secure your pet with a tether or crate when traveling in your RV or your tow or toad vehicle? What would happen to your pet if you were in an accident? Would it be safe? Could it hurt you by flying through the air?

Just like child restraints, most pets don’t love them, at least not at first. They do get used to them and might even feel more secure. The safety factor is worth it. In a Class A or Class C motorhome, you could put your pet in a crate near your seats or a leash tether or harness on the couch or captain's chair or possibly the dinette, depending on where regular seat belts are located. Or, you might have to make some sort of modification to have a secure place to fasten a restraint.

To give you some other ideas for making your pet more comfortable or safe when riding, other optional pet accessories for the Venta include: a rear hatch pet ramp for easy loading and unloading, a pet booster seat with harness, a first/second row or cargo area pet barrier, pet seatbelt buckles and rear seat zip line-style harnesses. These items can be purchased through other suppliers and adapted to your RV lifestyle. Toyota is hoping, though, that their features will appeal to pet owners so they purchase the vehicle.

The Toyota Venta is not listed in the Motorhome Magazine’s dinghies that can be towed four on the ground, however, two models are 4WD drive and should be able to be towed that way.

Resources
Here are two resources for pet-friendly travel for RVers.

• 2009 United States and Canada Dog-Friendly Campground and RV Park Guide
• PetFriendlyTravel.com: Two sections for RVers are “Off-Leash Dog Beaches & Dog Friendly Beaches in the U.S.” and “Pet Friendly Restaurants & Bars.”

Let us know what you think. Should pets be restrained while traveling? Do you secure or restrain yours in either your RV or your tow or toad vehicle? Jaimie Hall Bruzenak