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The 2010 winners in pet travel and safety were announced today at the New York International Auto Show. Bark Buckle Up and its founder, “Pet Safety Lady” Christina Selter presented the awards for Vehicle of the Year, Retailer of the Year, Hotel of the Year and Airline of the Year.

“Most people don’t think about it, but in only a 35 mph accident with a 60-pound pet it becomes a 2,700-pound projectile. This will injure the pet, passengers, driver or the pet may escape the vehicle and cause a second accident or become agitated and bite the first responder that is on scene doing their job,” stated Selter.

Winner for “Vehicle of the Year” went to the Ford Edge.  Criteria to determine winner were based on:

1. How easily the vehicle accommodates animals and kennels of various sizes.
2. Ease of access to pet from within the vehicle.
3. Ease of pet entry and exit.
4. Ventilation for animals in the rear.
5. Whether the vehicle has pet-friendly surfaces, adaptability for third party pet travel or safety gear.

Four out of the five top ten honors for 2010 Pet Safe Vehicles of Choice List went to Ford including the Ford Transit Connect, Edge and Flex and the Lincoln MKT.

2010 Pet Safe Retailer, Hotel and Airline

• BassPro Shops
• Sheraton Hotels
• Southwest Airlines

Statistics

• 35 mph accident with a 60-pound pet unrestrained becomes a 2,700-pound projectile
• 98% of dogs do not travel properly restrained in a moving vehicle
• Driver distraction causes more accidents than any other issue
• 82% of pets travel in the car and on vacation with their owners
• Pet friendly lodging has increased 300% since 2005
• Over 70 million homes in America have a pet