PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS*
ABOUT
Here at Buckle Up Your Pet, we are driven by a single goal; to educate pet parents about the importance of buckling up their pet. There are no federally regulated safety standards regarding pet products and most consumers choose their pet products largely based on name recognition and availability. Currently, there are hundreds of pet safety harnesses, carriers and crates on the market. Not all of them will keep your pet safe. How do you choose the right one?
"Safety-tested" doesn't always mean "crash safety-tested." There are a few companies whose products have been independently crash tested with positive results and they are listed below.
Our decision making process is informed by comprehensive empirical studies and high quality data evaluation. We strive to build productive relationships and make a positive impact with all of our pursuits.
PRODUCTS
ALL SAFE HARNESS
German engineered from tear resistant nylon and stainless steel, this harness has a proven 17 year safety track record and has been crash tested by three separate entities: The German Auto Club, MGA Research and The Test and Research Center of Sweden. The manufacturer offers a short and long extension tether but the tether reduces the safety of the harness. The safety of your pet is dependent upon keeping your pet in the seat so it is best to fasten the seatbelt directly to the harness. Click here for more information on the dangers of using an extension tether. The Original All Safe is available in four sizes: S/M/L/XL.
ZUGOPET ROCKETEER PACK
SLEEPYPOD CLICKIT SPORT
This harness received top honors from the The Center for Pet Safety's 2013 Harness Crashworthiness Study. Sleepypod rigorously tests their products and has created their own propriety safety system called the Pet Passenger Restraint System (PPRS). The harness is constructed from nylon and automotive grade materials and is available in: S/M/L/XL. Size is dependent upon chest measurement, so please be sure to follow the sizing guidelines when determining the proper size. Dogs might find this harness restrictive but my dog is able to lay down and be comfortable. Sleepypod also offers free accident replacement if their product is involved in an accident. For more product information from the national retailer and to purchase, CLICK HERE.
ORIGINAL ALLSAFE HARNESS
German engineered from tear resistant nylon and stainless steel, this harness has a proven 15 year safety track record and has been crash tested by three separate entities: The German Auto Club, MGA Research and The Test and Research Center of Sweden. The manufacturer offers a short and long extension tether but the tether reduces the safety of the harness. The safety of your pet is dependent upon keeping her in the seat so it is best to fasten the seatbelt directly to the harness. Click here for more information on the dangers of using an extension tether. The Original All Safe is available in four sizes: S/M/L/XL. For more product information from the national retailer and to purchase, CLICK HERE.
SLEEPYPOD TERRAIN
The Sleepypod Clickit Terrain was named as a top performer by The Center For Pet Safety. This harness is simple to use and may be the answer for those who feel like the Clickit Sport is too complicated. SleepyPod increased the chest padding and shock absorbing webbing on the Terrain (as opposed to the Clickit Sport) making it a more comfortable fitting harness for your pet. This harness also doubles as a walking harness and has a reflective design. SleepyPod also offers attachable saddlebags so your pet can carry his/her own food and water. The harness is constructed from nylon and automotive grade materials and is available in: S/M/L/XL. Size is dependent upon chest measurement, so please be sure to follow the sizing guidelines when determining the proper size. Sleepypod also offers free accident replacement if their product is involved in an accident. For more product information from the national retailer and to purchase, CLICK HERE.
EZYDOG DRIVE DOG
The EzyDog Drive Dog car harness has been crash tested and is certified as safe for your pet according to automotive safety standards in the US, Australia and Europe. This harness is lightweight and durable. It also doubles as a walking harness. It is constructed with aluminum alloy rings and automotive grade nylon, drawing inspiration from the automotive and climbing industry. EzyDog states that once you fit this harness to your dog, you won't have to make constant corrections to the sizing. The chest plate molds to the dog ensuring a safe and close fit and has crosslink technology which adds to the harness' strength and ability to protect your pet in the event of a crash. Sizing is S/M/L. Please note that in the crash test videos, a 75 pound dog did come off the seat, whereas the 50 pound dog did not. In my opinion, a dog that stays confined to the seat is safer. For more product information from the national retailer and to purchase, CLICK HERE.
SLEEPYPOD MOBILE PET BED
The Center For Pet Safety named the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed a top performer in the 2015 Carrier Crashworthiness Study. This uniquely designed pet carrier is both a pet bed and a car restraint system. Constructed from nylon and mesh, the top of the carrier can be fully removed revealing a snuggly pet bed and can be easily reattached to transport your pet with ease. Sleepypod also offers accident replacement if their product is involved in an accident. The Center for Pet Safety recommends using the mobile pet bed in conjunction with Sleepypod's PPRS Handilock for utmost safety, so this will be an additional expense. This mobile pet bed is also airline approved. For more product information from the national retailer and to purchase, CLICK HERE.
ZUGOPET ROCKETEER PACK
The ZuGo Pet Rocketeer Pack is one of three harnesses endorsed by the Center for Pet Safety. This harness was rigorously tested and has been certified by the Center for Pet Safety as safe to use for dogs and cats up to 25 pounds. The ZuGo Pet Rocketeer Pack is certainly unique in the market of pet safety products, but this type of five point harness has been used by pilots and race car drivers for years. Because of the design, your pets movements will be severely limited. This type of harness is not for all pet personality types and it will most likely take a little time for your pet to get used to it. However, if you have a pet who needs to see what is going on, and loves being part of the action, this harness might be for you. ZuGo Pet offers an accident replacement policy, so if your pet is involved in an accident while wearing the Rocketeer Pack restraint system, ZuGo pet will replace it for free. Available in XS/S/M/L/XL. Measure your pet from the collar to the tailbone. For more product information from the national retailer and to purchase, CLICK HERE​.
MIM VARIOCAGE
This crate was designed by auto safety engineers. The Center for Pet Safety included this crate in their 2015 Carrier Crash Worthiness Study and the Variocage has also been heavily crash tested by the manufacturer. It was designed with crumple zones, just like vehicles today, to absorb and redistribute the effects of a crash. Its unconventional design, with angled sides is meant to match the contour of a rear passenger seat and does not require tie down straps and hooks to keep the kennel in place. It has an emergency exit door on the back of the cage. Check product website for sizing instructions based on vehicle and pet size. For more product information from the national retailer and to purchase, CLICK HERE.
GUNNER KENNEL
The only Crash Test Certified top performer by Center for Pet Safety and Subaru in 2015 Carrier Crash Worthiness Study. The Gunner Intermediate is a very sturdy kennel, with double walled construction and a wide base which prevents tipping. This kennel has built in tie down pins, which used in conjunction with tie down straps, will keep the kennel in place. There are a lot of images on the internet of this kennel in truck beds, tethered to the vehicle with tie down straps. I do not suggest transporting your pet this way. If you have the option, you should always transport your pet inside of the vehicle. If you use tie down straps, please do your research to ensure that your straps, and, the metal loops they link to, can withstand the force of an accident. Check product website for sizing instructions based on pet size. For more product information from the national retailer and to purchase, CLICK HERE.
INNOPET (GEN 7) COMMUTER
The Innopet Commuter (also known as the Gen7Pets Commuter) was designed by a company who has over four decades of experience creating child safety restraint systems. The Gen7 Commuter has been crash tested and in 2018 was certified safe by the Center for Pet Safety where it received a five star rating. The Gen7 Commuter pet carrier is incredibly mobile and easy to use. It was created to work in conjunction with your vehicles seat belt. Additionally, the carrier's shoulder strap, which is helpful when toting around your pet outside of the vehicle, also helps restrain the carrier and your pet within the vehicle. Based on the crash test video, I would defintely utilize the shoulder strap when buckling in the carrier. The Gen7 Commuter is constructed from heavy duty materials made to withstand most wear and tear and the carrier 's sturdy construction ensures it won’t crumple when the seat belt is secured tightly around it. It is also an approved pet carrier for most major airlines. But, as always, check before you fly. For more product information from the national retailer and to purchase, CLICK HERE.​
LUCKY KENNEL INTERMEDIATE
The Lucky Kennel Intermediate by Lucky Duck received 5 stars from the Center for Pet Safety as crash-tested and certified safe. This kennel is relatively light, weighing only 38 pounds, but does not sacrifice safety. It has been tested to withstand 4,000 lb. of force. The injection molded door features a quick flip design allowing the door to be reversed in a matter of seconds and features a locking paddle latch will keep your dog safe. It is made with stainless steel hardware and heavy duty lift handles. Additionally, there are strategically placed ventilation holes which keep your dog cool on hot days, and the pitched floor is elevated to run water away from your dog. It also comes with powder coated tie downs and non-slip rubber feet. If you use tie down straps, please do your research to ensure that your straps, and, the metal loops they link to, can withstand the force of an accident. For more product information from the national retailer and to purchase, CLICK HERE.​
