Last week, a 15-year-old cat was brought to the Cumberland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter. While it’s upsetting that a 15-year-old cat found herself homeless, what was more upsetting was the way that she was brought to the shelter. She was put into a Rubbermaid storage container, with the lid secured on, and placed in the trunk of the car. There were four small holes poked into the container that provided her with just enough air; we hate to think what would have happened if the trip was much longer.
When it comes to transporting pets, safety should be the first consideration. New Jersey animal cruelty laws required that “a person who shall carry, or cause to be carried, a living animal or creature in or upon a vehicle or otherwise, in a cruel or inhumane manner, shall be guilty of a disorderly persons offense.” Animals should not be transported in a way that jeopardizes their safety – this would include the trunk of a car, or loose in the bed of a truck. It’s easy to imagine the disaster that could occur should a truck so much as hit the brakes hard, with an unsecured dog in the back. Dogs can be transported in crates in the bed, but the crates also must be secured.
If transporting an animal that needs to be contained, a pet carrier is the recommended mode of transport. They are designed to keep pets secure and safe. They also keep the humans in the car safe, as the animals are much less of a distraction when contained safely. We have seen animals brought into the shelter in all manners of boxes, containers and cages, some safe and some more concerning. If you don’t have a pet carrier available to you and must utilize a box or container, please make sure there is proper ventilation. Holes need to be large and plentiful to ensure the pet has plenty of air available.
Many times when people are bringing animals to the shelter in alternate carriers, it’s because they didn’t anticipate having to transport an animal. Keep in mind that it is your local animal control provider’s responsibility to provide transportation for stray animals. Not only do they have vehicles and equipment needed, but they are trained on how to safely handle and contain the animals. If you find a stray, you should contact animal control or your local police department. This also applies to wildlife. Wildlife must be handled very carefully, and oftentimes the animals that we think need help in actuality just need us to leave them alone.
When it comes to transporting pets, horse owners take the cake for the biggest challenge. There’s no way a horse is fitting in a carrier, your backseat or anything other than a trailer designed specifically for moving horses. And while most pet owners may not need to be concerned with the specifics of trailering a horse, we all should be aware that when we see a horse trailer on the road we need to give them extra space and be sure to never cut them off. The weight they carry is so great that it makes stopping quickly difficult, if not impossible, and this also poses great risk to the safety of the horses.
New Jersey made waves several years ago when it passed a seatbelt law for pets. The new law required that all pets must be secured when a vehicle is in motion. I can’t say whether anyone has been ticketed for not belting in their pets, but we do know that common sense should apply when transporting any animal. If transporting your own pet, use a pet carrier and tether your dog with a leash if he is the jumpy or bouncy type. While safety is the No. 1 priority, also keep their comfort in mind, too. A soft blanket or bed to lie on or to place inside the carrier can make a trip more comfortable. And if your trip is a longer one, make sure you have fresh water available for your pet to drink and give him a rest stop along the way. Keep an eye on the temperature of the vehicle. For animals that experience severe anxiety when traveling, contact your veterinarian to see if a sedative is appropriate.
Speaking of comfort, our inspiration for this column is named Kitty and she’s feeling much more comfortable now. She was understandably distressed upon arrival. Fortunately, we have since calmed her down, cleaned her up, and secured placement for her where she will be safe and loved. No more Rubbermaid containers for this lady!