Crash Tests For Pets Find Your Pet Carrier Isn’t Crashworthy
I’m willing to wager that as often as people buy SUVs and larger cars for hauling younger humans, a significant share do so for the comfort of their animals. Several automakers offer pet-containment options for their models, but until recently no one had thought to answer the question of what happens to your best friend in case of a crash.
The answer: Unless you’ve been lucky in what you’ve bought, your dog or cat will likely become a flying fur ball.
The news comes courtesy of the non-profit Center for Pet Safety and Subaru, which sponsored a full roster of independent crash testing on hard-sided pet crates and soft-sided pet carriers. Fun fact: Despite what many of those products claim, there are no federal crash standards for pet holders, and the CPS had to design its own tests, complete with 45 and 75-lb. crash-test dog dummies and a 15-lb. crash-test plush cat. (No real pooches or kitties were harmed.)
Of the four crates and eight carriers tested in simulated crashes, only three passed the CPS’ standards: the Gunner Kennels G1 Intermediate with 8’ Tie Down Straps, the PetEgo Forma Frame Jet Set Carrier with ISOFIX-Latch Connection and Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed with PPRS Handilock. Despite several products boasting of outside crash-testing, a few not only failed to stay connected but broke on contact with the test pet.
Those of us who have ever wrestled with getting a child seat installed know that there’s a certain amount of precision required in using the right straps the right way. The Center for Pet Safety found no commonality among crates or carriers for what straps to use, how to install them or how well they would keep a pet safe. In several cases, straps broke free from the test sled, or pulled off the carrier itself. In the case shown above, the restraint kept the test dog inside, but the plastic case shattered. And while carmakers often make changes to vehicles in response to crash testing, a couple of the carrier makers didn’t respond to the test results or provide additional information.
The Center acknowledged that the three choices it made for crash-worthy carriers ran closer to the $1,000 price limit than more affordable choices. But without proper restraints, pets can become projectiles in crashes posing danger to themselves and humans. “The 2015 studies were truly eye-opening,” said Lindsey Wolko, founder and CEO of the CPS, “and will once again help bring pet safety awareness to millions of pet parents around the globe.”