New research* by ŠKODA UK has revealed that Britain’s dog lovers spend more than £4,000 per year on their pet, but just half safely secure their dog on every car journey.
New research* by ŠKODA UK has revealed that Britain’s dog lovers spend more than £4,000 per year on their pet, but just half safely secure their dog on every car journey.
To mark International Dog Day on 26th August, ŠKODA, in partnership with BorrowMyDoggy – a national organisation that connects dog owners with trusted local people to help take care of their dogs – is highlighting how simple solutions can help keep dogs safe on the move.
Of the estimated 9.6 million dog owners** in the UK, ŠKODA research revealed more than seven million travel with their dog in the car at least once a week. However, just 51% said they always correctly secured their dog while driving, with 14% only doing it some of the time and 9% admitting that they have never secured their dog safely in the car.
The nation’s dog owners spend an average of £4,087.20 on their pooches, with food, pet insurance and edible treats the main outlay, but are risking doubling this cost for not securing pets safely when on the move. Nearly half (44%) are unaware of current laws around travelling with a dog in the car which can lead to a fine of up to £5,000 and invalid insurance.
According to the Highway Code, dogs need to be suitably secured so they avoid distracting the driver and to prevent injury in the case of a sudden stop.
The ŠKODA dog study revealed 12% of owners let their dogs sit on their lap or even on the dash (9%) while driving, while some let their dogs move freely around the car. This figure was even more pronounced among younger drivers (18-24 years old), with over a quarter (27%) letting their dog sit on their lap while driving.
In total, 68% of drivers said they drove more carefully with their dog in the car, though nearly a quarter (24%) said they found themselves to be more stressed.
ŠKODA has teamed up with BorrowMyDoggy to give tips to dog-lovers on the best way to travel in the car with a dog:
When thinking about their car, dog owners said that the most important aspects were firstly that it should be easy for the dog to get in and out (60%), followed by good boot size (51%), interior space (44%) and durable materials (43%).
Combined with ŠKODA’s extensive range of dog accessories, the KAMIQ – and entire ŠKODA range – ensures dog owners can rest easy knowing they have a spacious and practical car that keeps their dog safe and comfortable on every journey, with enough clever storage spaces for the extra items that are needed when travelling with pets.
* ŠKODA’s study of dog owners and car habits was made up of 2,000 dog owners nationwide
** Number of dog owners based on estimate of 12 million dogs in the UK (According to the latest pet population data) at 1.25 dogs per owner