Always have your pet's license tag on, as well as tag of current contact information. If found unattended, your licensed pet will be given better immediate medical attention if found injured and given more time at a shelter. After all, how can a pet be returned to an unidentified owner? Most people don't anticipate losing a pet, but it often happens.

Pick-up truck beds are unsafe for anyone when traveling. It is estimated that at least 100,000 dogs die this way each year. Although most dogs love to feel the 60 mph wind blowing past their ears, that wind can seriously irritate mucous membranes and blow pieces of grit into the animal's eye, which could cause permanent damage to the eye. Insects or flying debris can also lodge in the nasal passages or get sucked up into the windpipe. The weather causes safety concerns for this as well. The cold freezing temperatures are no safer than a hot burning metal floor of a truck bed. It is safest to allow your pet to ride inside the truck or cab, or leave it home. If it must ride in the back of a truck put the pet inside a crate that will give it some protection from the wind and the weather. Be sure to tie the crate securely to the walls of the truck bed so it can not slide about or be tossed out of the truck. Crates are the safest bet for pets when traveling. Check out JB WholeSale Pet Supplies for your pet's travel needs.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, now jump in. NOT!! However, doing so would give you an idea of how your pet feels when you leave him in a parked car on a sunny day, even for a few minutes. Even if your windows are open, 10 minutes could be too long. The temperature inside a car could reach 160 degrees by that time, enough to cause a pet to suffer heat stroke. Pets don't perspire like people do, instead they pant. With only very hot air to breathe, you pets could suffer permanent brain damage within moments. They may want to come along for the ride, but it's much kinder to leave them at home with plenty of fresh cool water and shade.

And remember to include your pets when planning for fire safety or disaster. It is recommended that you also include some of your pet's food in your family's emergency kit. Again, licensing and tags are necessary if pets and owners are separated during a disaster. Having your pet's health certificate and photo would also assist in reuniting you with your pet. Plan and list an alternative person/place to care for your animal if you become unable to and include that information on pet's ID tag.

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