Here at Teton Motors we want you and your pet to travel safe.  Together with Subaru Drive Magazine we put together safety tips for your next trip with your best friend. PETS ARE FAMILY MEMBERS, AND THEIR SAFETY, COMFORT, AND COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL RULES OF THE ROAD SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WITH EACH TRIP THEY TAKE. A RECENT SURVEY* indicates that approximately 80 percent of owners don’t restrain their pets when traveling in vehicles. Pets, like humans, sustain injuries when unrestrained, and cause injuries to other vehicle passengers. For a small animal, even a sudden stop can result in serious injury or death. Here are some tips for traveling with your pet. BEFORE YOU GO Preparation is an important part of your trip. Within 10 days of your trip to some destinations (particularly when crossing state or international borders), your pet will need a current tag/microchip, a health certificate, and proof of rabies vaccination. Attach your temporary contact information while you’re traveling. For your peace of mind and your pet’s comfort, plan on taking along your pet’s photo, food and water dishes, leash, food, and water. Before a long trip, ensure your pet is accustomed to riding. Acclimate your pet with its kennel, harness or restraint, and method of transportation prior to travel. Before a long trip, ensure your pet is accustomed to riding. ON THE ROAD More tips for traveling with your pet Follow your pet’s regular feeding routine, with minimum feeding while traveling. Ice is handy for pets with upset stomachs. Stop every two hours for exercise. Rest stops often designate areas for pets. Keep your pet leashed with a collar and proper identification. Remember that some states have leash laws. Provide your pet fresh water while stopped. Take water with you in case resources aren’t available. Please clean up after your pet. Don’t leave pets unattended in a vehicle. On warm days, vehicle temperatures can rise to 120 degrees in minutes, even with windows cracked. An unattended pet is an invitation to thieves. VEHICULAR SAFETY Harnesses, tethers, and other travel accessories are available for most pets. A harness or kennel is safest and keeps your pet from distracting you. Start with shorter trips until your pet is used to its kennel or tether device. KENNELS. Kennels for cats and dogs should be well-ventilated and stable, without interior protrusions. Kennels in truck beds should be secured to the truck. Use barriers for kennels in wagons and SUVs. TETHER DEVICES. A harness affords the best protection in extreme situations. Harness devices easily attach to a vehicle’s seatbelt system. California and other states now require animals to be tethered in vehicles. In addition, dogs should not hang out the window, where dirt or debris can injure their eyes, ears, and noses. Also, they should not ride in seats equipped with frontal airbags, which could injure them severely in an accident. LEGISLATION Several states now require animals to be secured in vehicles. Plus, approximately half of the states have fines for not restraining pets riding in vehicles. COMPARTMENT SEPARATOR Subaru offers an accessory compartment separator that partitions the cargo area from the passenger seats, which enhances safety in a sudden stop or impact. This accessory is available for Tribeca, Forester, Legacy wagons, and Outback wagons. Installation and removal of the separator do not require tools. See your dealer for details. The Subaru accessory cargo tray protects the cargo area from dirt and spills. It can be removed and rinsed clean. * Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.