Pet Auto Safety

2009 Pet Safe Vehicle of Choice 

Who Let The Dogs Out! Chicago Auto Show Goes to the Dogs 

So you’re saying Who Let the Dogs Out?  The Chicago Auto Show has truly gone to the dogs with Bark Buckle UP being featured for the second year, today announced the Pet Safe Choice Award Winners. With more then a dozen graduate dogs from the American Kennel Club S.T.A.R. puppies hopping in and out of cars, stealing the show, special first responder guests Kane County Sheriff Patrick Perez and Fire Chief John Schuldt, distinctive executives Christina Selter Pet Safety Expert-Bark Buckle UP, Cheryl Catton Executive Director of Advertising & Promotion, Buick, Pontiac & GMC, Robert Allegrini Vice President Communications, The Americas Hilton Hotels Corporation and Judi Gorman Manager Sales Promotions & Community Relations, American Airlines. The competition was colossal this year, nearing two-dozen auto manufactures registered and only ONE to take TOP DOG.“The GMC Acadia has earned the Pet Safety Award for 2009 and we’re thrilled to honor them with this distinction,” says Christina Selter, pet safety expert and founder of Bark Buckle UP.  “With so many pet owners traveling with their pets today, safety is key – not just for pets, but for humans who travel with them — to making a conscientious purchase. We believe the GMC Acadia has earned high marks in this area for their outstanding leadership in car design in function with this model.”Motorists often are simply unaware of the types of safe precautions they should take until it is too late.  An unrestrained pet can not only be injured, but can injure human passengers or first responders such as firemen.  An injured pet that is unrestrained can escape from a wrecked car, causing another collision, it can bite the first responder or be killed trying to run away.  

Consumers should know that·        in a 30 MPH accident a 60-pound pet can cause an impact of 2,700 pound·        50% of dog owners consider pet travel needs when selecting a vehicle. (APPMA)·        pet travel has increased 300% since 2005, 82% of dogs travel in the car and on vacation·        98% of dogs travel unrestrained in a moving vehicle. (Traffic Safety Evaluation Guide)·        63% of US households – 71.1 million homes - have a pet. (APPMA) 

Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Pet Safety, according to Bark Buckle UP officials awarded Hilton Hotels the Pet Safe Hotel of Choice for their recently launched PET FRIENDLY program designed to make traveling with pets easier and safer.  Pets are welcome at most Hilton Hotels & Resorts throughout the United States and Canada and in late 2008 internationally.  Each pet at check in receives special attention including food and water bowls with placemat, and an exclusive pet amenity kit complete with dog waste clean-up bags, treats, local dog runs, veterinarian and pet boutiques.  Hilton Hotels & Resorts earned Pet Safe Hotel of Choice.

American Airlines and Pet Safety, according to Bark Buckle UP officials the airline guidelines and regulations keep our pets safe.  Named Best North American Airline for 16 consecutive years, Business Traveler Readers gave American Airlines Top Honors, Global Traveler Named American Best In Domestic First Class and among some of the regulations enforced for pet safety is heat and cold if the temperature is not at regulation status pets are not aloud to fly.   America Airlines received the Pet Safe Airline of Choice.  

PetSmart and Pet Safety, according to Bark Buckle UP officials PetSmart carries the largest selection of pet travel and safety gear available and easily accessible to the public. PetSmart Inc., is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets.  They operate more than 1,075 stores in the United States and Canada, providing a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products; services including pet training, pet grooming, pet boarding and pet adoption services.  PetSmart take home the Pet Safe Retailer of Choice 2009. 

Bark@BarkBuckleUP.com for more info 

We loved the new facility at Woof’s Play & Stay. During our visit, we got to speak to the business owner and several employees. Everyone was obviously a huge dog lover. There was great food for both people and pets, fun games, and wonderful free prizes and spectacular door prizes.

We were greatly impressed with our tour of the facility. The day play areas were large and clean. An employee stood inside the play area to monitor the dogs. Cameras which can be accessed online were also monitoring the play area! We really liked this idea because we can watch our puppies online while they are having fun and playing. There were different play areas for different dogs. The dogs were put in different play areas based on their size, temperament, and activity level.

The night boarding kennels were well equipped and looked very comfortable. There were two types of rooms: The regular suites and the Penthouse suites. All the suites are private but the Penthouses offer a bit more home-like feel. The Penthouses had televisions, pet-themed wall paintings, more privacy, and luxurious bedding. One thing we liked about the night stay was that the day play was included in the cost of the overnight fee. We liked this because most boarding services charge extra for play time.

The full service grooming and spa services were also wonderful. It is a terrific way to really pamper your puppy at a reasonable cost. The Furminator de-shedding is also a great service that our own dogs could really use during those heavy shedding seasons.

Maya will be staying at Woof’s Play & Stay on Wednesday, July 30th. We will try to have a link to the online viewing so you can see her in action! For more information and pricing on the services offered at Woof’s Play & Stay, check out their website at www.WoofsPlayStay.com.

There’s a new business in town and it’s made just for dogs. Woof’s Play & Stay is a doggy day care, enhanced boarding kennel, and a pampered pet grooming facility all rolled into one. Their grand opening is this Saturday, July 26th from 11:am to 4:pm at 6465 E. Frontage Road, Merriam, Kansas 66202. Employees of PetAutoSafety.com will be there to celebrate. And we will be checking out the facility for a possible place for our own pets to stay for those times when we want to travel but can’t take our pets with us.

Sometimes taking your dog with you when you travel is not always the best thing for your best friend.  If you are flying, for example, airlines will often refuse to fly animals.  And sometimes they will not let you know this until the last moment.  This is because it is against regulations to fly animals when the weather is either too cold or too hot.  So if you want to fly to another state in the summer, your dog will probably not be able to go with you.  So what do you do?  There are many options available.  You can leave your pet (or pets) with a friend, leave them at home and hire someone to come by every now and care for your pet, or you can board them in a pet boarding kennel.  Each option has its own benefits and problems.  So before you travel, be sure to explore each one carefully.  My dog has never stayed at a boarding kennel before.  But this fall, leaving her with a friend or hiring a pet sitter may not be an option.  So I am going to check out this new Woof’s Play & Stay facility.  If you live in the Kansas City Metro Area, you are welcome to come by and visit too. Or check our blog in a few more days to see what we think.

The Suds of Fun event at U-Wash Puppy was a success for the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City.  There were a few vendors such as Woof’s Play Stay, Bark Busters, Lil Pals Pet Photography, and Pet Auto Safety.  The event also gave away lots of free gifts.  There were tons of people and their pets who came to visit the event.  And The Humane Society brought a few of their adoptable dogs.  We are happy to say that some of those dogs found new homes.  Several dogs got a bath for only $5 which went directly to the Humane Society.  As part of the baths, U-Wash Puppy provided dog brushes, detangling combs, special de-shedding brushes, dog shampoo, towels and blow dryers for drying, spray-on dog coat conditioner, and dog perfume.

No word yet on how much the Humane Society made at this event, but we will post it as soon as we find out.

Tuesday, July 15th between 4 and 8 pm, we are going to participate in the Suds of Fun event at U-Wash Puppy in Shawnee, Kansas.  We are displaying and selling some of our products and donating 25% to the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City.  The U-Wash Puppy at 75th and Neiman Rd is giving dog baths for $5 and the first 50 dog washers get fun pack full of dog and people goodies!  Sheridan’s Frozen Custard will be handing out free pup cones to keep everyone cool, plus there will be some adorable dogs up for adoption.  Other pet vendors will be participating in the event as well and donating a portion of the proceeds to the humane society.  So if you live in the Kansas City area, give your dog a bath and help the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City help the homeless animals in your area.