While most pet owners view their "job" as protection of their animals, all too often animals are lost while on the road. Keeping a few things in mind can reduce the chances of it happening to you.
The situation is far too common - someone moving cross country stops at a rest stop, the family dog bolts out the door when a truck passes and in a panic runs through the open area and disappears. A frantic family searches in vain and desperately calls area veterinarians and friends with internet access trying to locate someone in the area who might see their dog.
The biggest thing you can do for protection of your pet on the road is getting a properly sized crate for him to travel in. A soft bed or towel, a few toys and some training to where this is his safety point will go a long ways towards safety on the road. If there is an accident you don't have to worry about him surviving the accident only to dart into traffic - he's safe in his crate, shaken perhaps but safely confined.
Have a collar with tags and current working phone numbers - the number to your old home (which is disconnected!) won't help. If you don't have a cellular phone use a friend or family member's number or even your veterinarian's number - anything as long as it's a good number for contact.
Consider micro chipping your pet. This is an inexpensive means of protection and while it isn't visible it can be picked up if a veterinarian or shelter scans for it - and drastically improves the chances of your dog being returned home.
When you stop at rest stops use the "two door" approach to take your pet out. That is, open the crate and attach a leash securely to your pet. With the car door closed, he cannot slip out of the crate and bolt...and when you open the door to the vehicle he's on a leash.
Moving in warm weather can be a challenge, and in the crates water often gets spilled. Consider offering water at the rest stops and have ice cubes in the small bowl attached to the crate. This allows small amounts as it melts but isn't enough to slosh and soak your pet. Also take proportionately sized empty soda bottles - 2 liter for large dogs, 20 oz for smaller dogs and cats - fill about ¾ with water and freeze them. Put these in the crate and your pet has something cold to lie against and help stay just a little cooler. When it thaws you have additional water for your pet.
NEVER travel with your pet in the back of a rental van. They get too hot and there is too little ventilation, even if the back is propped open and secured. An even 75-80 degree day can be a death sentence in one of these vehicles. They are handy for moving *stuff* - pets aren't *stuff* and even if you stop every hour or so it can be too late to save your pet. Don't take the chance...have a place he can travel with you. If there absolutely isn't room for his crate double secure him with a collar and harness to a seat belt...but don't take a short cut and put him in the back of a moving van or other enclosed place including
Paul Darden is owner and CEO of Buckingham Storage, the only Richardson self storage facility with a 24/7 onsite management team. Darden specializes in the brokering, marketing, feasibility studies, and developing of self-storage personally brokering over 130 self-storage facilities throughout the southwest to both national and regional self-storage operators. If you are looking to move and need if you need moving boxes in Plano, Garland, or Richardson area visit http://www.buckinghamstorage.com
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