Hot Dogs Belong on the Grill—Not in the Car
NAPPS Urges Pet Parents to Keep Their Furry Friends Safe and Avoid Car Rides
MT. LAUREL, NJ – June 6, 2012 –The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals, is urging pet parents to consider their pets’ safety and avoid taking their furry friend along for the car ride.
Before enjoying the backyard barbeques, family gatherings and road trips of summer, time will be spent running errands (to multiple stores) in order to prepare for the events of the day. While cruising in the car with the windows down, sunroof open and your favorite four-legged companion as co-pilot sounds like a fun way to spend the afternoon, it’s actually in your pet’s best interest to be left home.
“Pet parents often think that dehydration and heatstroke are the only risks associated with transporting an animal in a vehicle,” said John D’Ariano, president of NAPPS. “Lack of safety restraints can put both the pet and other passengers in serious danger as well.”
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a 50lb pet (a medium to large-sized dog) that is in a 35 mph car collision can be thrown with the force of 1,500 lbs.
“There will be instances when it’s necessary to travel by car with your pet,” said John D’Ariano, president of NAPPS. “Going to a vet appointment is one of those times, but bringing your dog along for an afternoon joy ride is not.”
In a 2010 AAA survey of 1,000 pet parents, over 300 drivers admitted to being distracted by their dog while riding together in the car. As a result, unrestrained pets are the cause of 30,000 car accidents each year.
NAPPS reminds pet parents to never leave an animal alone in a parked car—even if it’s just for a few minutes. Cars heat up quickly and can cause an animal to become dehydrated and overheat. An overweight dog’s extra layers of fat will act as insulation and trap heat in the body, causing the dog to have restricted breathing capabilities and overheat in a short amount of time. Pug-nosed dogs are also prone to heatstroke because their small nasal passages create difficulty circulating sufficient air to help keep them cool.
“Leaving your pet in a car with the windows rolled down is dangerous and should not be considered a preventative way to avoid overheating,” adds D’Ariano. “An animal’s body temperature is not the same as that of a human being. A pet can experience heatstroke which is often fatal.”
Professional pet sitters are available to offer quality care to animals when their pet parents must be away from home. A professional pet sitter can customize a care plan based on the services they offer and the needs of you and your pet, regardless of the amount of time you’ll be away from home.
The NAPPS website offers a nationwide referral network as a valuable online resource for locating professional pet sitters across the country. Accessible directly from www.petsitters.org, this free service provides contact information for all NAPPS member pet sitters and pet sitting companies in the area.
“Being a responsible pet parent is just as important as being a responsible parent to your human children; the safety and well-being of your loved ones should be a top priority, regardless if they have two legs or four,” adds D’Ariano.
About NAPPS: NAPPS is the only national non-profit trade association dedicated to serving the needs of professional pet sitters. The Association aims to help the pet owning public, those interested in pet sitting, and professionals engaged in the in-home pet care industry by fulfilling its vision statement, serving as “the most respected authority in professional pet sitting.” It does so by providing the tools and support to foster the success of its members. Additionally, pet parents can benefit from NAPPS’ free resources including a disaster preparedness guide, tips on how to select a pet sitter, and a nationwide referral service,. To find a pet sitter in your area, check out NAPPS’ nationwide “Pet Sitter Locator” at www.petsitters.org. For more information on NAPPS, please follow @TheNAPPS on Twitter or join us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNAPPS.
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Media Contact:
Caitlin Watterson
Communications Coordinator
856-642-4218
cwatterson@ahint.com
