Taking pets along for a ride can be a joy, but ensuring their safety in the vehicle is just as important as bringing them along. In Washington State, there are laws to protect pets and drivers during car trips. 

Today, Monday, August 26th, is National Dog Day, so let’s make sure we keep all our pets safe during travel. It’s becoming more common to see animals joining their owners for a ride, whether it’s for vet and groomer visits, service and support, training purposes, or just for fun. But how can our four-legged friends travel safely in vehicles, and what does Washington State law say about it?

Washington State Laws and Best Practices
Washington State has specific regulations that address the safety of pets traveling in vehicles. While there are no comprehensive laws requiring pet restraints inside cars, several legal guidelines emphasize the importance of animal safety:

• Animal Cruelty Laws (RCW 16.52): These laws prohibit confining or transporting animals in a way that endangers their health or well-being. Leaving animals in unsafe conditions, or an unrestrained position can be considered animal cruelty and result in legal penalties.
• Pets in Truck Beds (RCW 46.61.660): It is illegal to transport an animal in the back of a truck unless it is safely secured. The animal must either be confined in a secure crate or tethered to prevent it from falling or jumping out of the truck bed.
• Leaving Pets in Hot Cars: Washington law allows authorities to take action if an animal is left in a hot vehicle and is in danger. If necessary, police or other officials can break into the car to rescue the animal, and the owner may face charges under the state’s animal cruelty statutes.

Safely containing or restraining your pets keeps them safe and minimizes driver distraction. As much as your critter loves to hang his head out the window, this can expose them to debris or injury. There is a plethora of safety devices available on the market now from pet seatbelts and “car seats,” to pet barriers in your SUV or a well ventilated carrier or crate. Taking time to train your pet to stay in one spot in the car is also incredibly helpful. When your furbaby is wandering around the cabin of your vehicle they can get into a lot of mischief which puts everyone at risk. 

As mentioned above, it is illegal to allow your dog to be unsecured in the back of a pickup truck.  Even if fido loves a truck ride, his safety must be a consideration. Either tether your dog so that he cannot reach the edges of the truck bed, or keep him in a well ventilated kennel or crate (This should also be secured to the truck bed), or put a canopy over the truck bed (be sure any windows are open for ventilation). Be aware of the temperature of your truck bed. A good rule of thumb is if it’s too hot for your bare hand it’s too hot for your animal to stand or sit on. Additionally, a mat or spray-in bedliner will help give your animal some traction.

Similarly to truck beds, on warm days, the temperature inside a parked car can rise quickly, even with the windows slightly open. If you’re running an errand that requires leaving your pet in the car, reconsider bringing them along, as this can lead to heatstroke or worse.

Tips for Stress-Free Travel
Some pets, especially cats or anxious dogs, may not enjoy car rides and could experience stress or discomfort. To make the ride more pleasant for them:

• Acclimate Your Pet: Gradually get your pet used to the car by taking them on short, positive trips to places they enjoy, such as parks or hiking trails.
• Frequent Breaks on Long Trips: For long journeys, take breaks to let your pet stretch, relieve themselves, and hydrate. Like humans, animals can get restless or dehydrated on extended car trips.
• Water and a bowl: Leaving the water in the car could cause it to become very hot; check its temperature before serving it. Offer it at every rest stop, or more often if you notice your dog panting.
• Food: Having an emergency supply of food with you when traveling will minimize stress on everyone, and make delays tolerable
• Identification tags and microchip info: In case the unthinkable happens and he escapes.
• Potty bags. Whenever your animal makes a mess away from home, be responsible and clean up after your animal.
• Extra leash and collar or a rope slip lead: You never know when equipment failure could happen to you.

In the end we want all humans and pets to have safe travels and get to their destinations with as little stress as possible. Happy trails and happy tails!

Sources:

• Washington State Legislature. “Chapter 16.52 RCW: PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.” WA.gov, App.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=16.52. Accessed 16 August 2024.
• Washington State Legislature. “RCW 46.61.660: Carrying persons or animals on outside part of vehicle.” WA.gov, App.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.660. Accessed 16 August 2024.
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “Pets in vehicles.” American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/pets-vehicles. Accessed 16 August 2024.
• “Travel safely with your pet.” The Humane Society of the United States, Humanesociety.org/resources/travel-safely-your-pet-car-airplane-ship-or-train. Accessed 16 August 2024.
• Washington State Legislature. “RCW 16.52.080: Transporting or confining in unsafe manner—Penalty.” WA.gov, Apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=16.52.080. Accessed 17 August 2024.