Tavo Pets launches Safer Inside campaign at Crufts

Tavo Pets has launched the “Safer Inside” campaign at Crufts to address the 26 per cent of UK motorists who travel with unrestrained dogs.

The campaign, supported by veterinary surgeon Dr Scott Miller and dog behaviourist Adem Fehmi, reports that an estimated 3.5 million dogs are at risk of injury from traveling with their heads outside car windows. 

Research conducted by Tavo indicates that 28% of owners allow this behaviour because they believe it is aesthetically pleasing, while 20% do so for the entertainment of pedestrians. 

Data from the research also showed that 71% of owners who allow unrestrained travel believe their pet enjoys the experience.

However, experts warn that this practice exposes animals to eye abrasions, debris, and the risk of falling from moving vehicles.

Dog behaviourist Adem Fehmi noted that panting, often interpreted by owners as a sign of enjoyment or a desire for fresh air, can actually indicate physiological stress. 

The London Fire Brigade has also contributed to the campaign, stating that unrestrained pets can impede emergency responders at the scene of road traffic collisions. 

In response to these findings, Tavo is advocating for the use of crash-tested carriers and crates that meet R129 United Nations ECE standards.

The Safer Inside initiative is an extension of Tavo’s global Imagine the Impact programme. 

The campaign aims to shift public perception regarding pet travel safety and encourages the use of ISOFIX-integrated restraint systems to prevent rotation and provide protection during collisions. 

Miller said: “A dog with its head sticking out of the car window is at risk of eye-abrasions, debris or jumping from the moving car. Tavo’s research revealed why owners are putting their dog at risk and 48% weren’t even thinking about the welfare of their dog. 28% do it because they think it looks cute, and 20% because pedestrians enjoy it. An estimated 1.5 million dogs are being put in danger for ‘entertainment’.”

Fehmi added: “Dog behaviour is complex. Whilst some owners might think that a dog panting, with its head out of the window, is a sign that they are enjoying the fresh air, panting can be a sign of stress. Sitting inside a crash tested carrier inside the vehicle is the option for creating security and a calm dog.”

Borough commander at the London Fire Brigade Lucy MacLeod added: “As firefighters we attend road traffic collisions and we see the consequences when pets aren’t safely restrained. Even the calmest dog can panic or react unpredictably around flashing lights and noise. This creates risks for emergency responders and members of the public alike. Keeping dogs secured helps protect them and allows us to carry out rescues.”