Who Let The Dogs Out
Chicago Auto Show Goes to the Dogs
Chicago IL, February 12, 2009 – so you’re saying Who Let the Dogs Out, isn’t the Kennel Club Show next week in Chicago? The Chicago Auto Show has truly gone to the dogs with Bark Buckle UP being featured for the second year, today announced the Pet Safe Choice Award Winners.
With more then a dozen graduate dogs from the American Kennel Club S.T.A.R. puppies hopping in and out of cars, stealing the show, special first responder guests Kane County Sheriff Patrick Perez and Fire Chief John Schuldt, distinctive executives Christina Selter Pet Safety Expert-Bark Buckle UP, Cheryl Catton Executive Director of Advertising & Promotion, Buick, Pontiac & GMC, Robert Allegrini Vice President Communications, The Americas Hilton Hotels Corporation and Judi Gorman Manager Sales Promotions & Community Relations, American Airlines. The competition was colossal this year, nearing two-dozen auto manufactures registered and only ONE to take TOP DOG.
So Who Won? 2009 Bark Buckle UP Pet Safe Awards Winners:
Pet Safe Vehicle of Choice GMC Acadia
Pet Safe Hotel of Choice Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Pet Safe Airline of Choice American Airlines
Pet Safe Retailer of Choice PetSmart
Bark Buckle UP the recognized leader and experts for pet travel safety announced today the Pet Safe Vehicle, Hotel, Airline, and Retailer of Choice 2009. The Pet Safe Awards are earned by premium products and services each year and are tested and selected by judges including first responders, pet experts, safety and travel experts.
Millions of Americans love pets. Bark Buckle UP, the organization dedicated to pet travel safety, the leader in pet safety education and travels the country to work closely with first responders, safety experts and pet industry leaders. Bark Buckle UP was created to educate the public that pet safety is connected to human safety.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states, “Wearing your seat belt costs you nothing, but the cost for not wearing one certainly will.” Durring the summer of 2008, Bark Buckle UP met with the NHTSA Occupant Safety Division was then featured at the International Police Chiefs Association Occupant Safety Conference to discuss the necessity to secure pets during travel. Not just for our pets’ safety, but the passenger, driver and our first responders. Bark Buckle UP travels the nation teaching pet safety, tests products and is creating the safety standard regulations. Pet and human safety is connected.
In a car crash, an unrestrained pet can be seriously injured, but that pet can also injure human passengers or first responders such as firemen. Equally dangerous is the fact that an unrestrained, injured pet can escape from a wrecked car and cause another collision or bite.
In a 30 MPH accident a 60-pound pet can cause an impact of 2,700 pound
Pet travel has increased 300% since 2005, 82% of dogs travel in the car and on vacation
98% of dogs travel unrestrained in a moving vehicle. (Traffic Safety Evaluation Guide)
63% of US households – 71.1 million homes – have a pet. (APPMA)
50% of dog owners consider pet travel needs when selecting a vehicle. (APPMA)
ABOUT: Bark Buckle UP is the recognized innovative leader and experts in pet travel safety. Bark Buckle UP is touring educating and promoting awareness for pet safety while traveling with our pets and is distributing ONE million FREE pet safety kits throughout the USA and Canada in 2009. National safety statistics conclude the number of pets traveling in vehicles is now at an all-time high. Most animals’ travel unrestrained, the corresponding risk to vehicle occupants, pets and first responders called to an accident site is of growing concern. Because more pets now travel with their owners there is a genuine risk. For first responders called to render aid – the challenge of securing a frightened or injured animal before treating victims can be of equal concern. It only takes a few minutes to safeguard your pet’s safety by buckling them up. Accidents do happen, and you owe it to your pet to protect them against possible injury. Unleashing this life saving message through Bark Buckle UP will increase the number of pets traveling safely and will save lives. When driving 35 mph, a 60-pound unrestrained dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, windshield, or passenger.
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