More Than 30 Percent of Holiday Travelers Will Take Their Pet on the Road

Cars.com Offers Advice on Best Car Options for Pets and Information on Keeping Pets Safe on the Road

CHICAGO, Nov. 14 -- According to a recent survey conducted by Cars.com, more than 30 percent of holiday travelers will take their pet on the road with them this year. Roughly a quarter of all pet owners travel with their pet more than 20 times a year.

Whether it's a once-a-year trip to the veterinarian or everyday car trips, pet owners are faced with the task of keeping themselves and their animal companions safe and comfortable in the car. With that in mind, Cars.com offers advice for pet owners about the various features and products that are available to them.

"In our research, we found that Volvo does the best job of offering products for pet owners," said Cars.com Managing Editor Patrick Olsen. "However, many automakers offer features and options that are pet-friendly, even though not all of them were designed specifically for pets."

  The following are pet-friendly features offered by manufacturers:

   -- Volvo:
          -- Nets that span the space between the ceiling and the backrests
             of the front or rear seats.
          -- A collection of metal dividers for wagons and SUVs.
          -- A vertical grate that divides the cargo area into halves,
             separating a dog from cargo or another dog.
          -- For the S80, a pair of grilles that divide the trunk in two,
             turning it into something like a pet carrier, with a front gate
             that blocks the opening to the cabin once the smaller side of a
             split, folding seatback is lowered.

   -- Saab:
          -- The 9-3 SportCombi and 9-5 SportCombi (wagon) include a cargo
             space divider, cargo mat, cargo apron and cargo guard in the
             back; the 9-5 SportCombi also has a trunk tray.

   -- Saturn:
          -- The Vue has a cargo management system.

   -- Volkswagen:
          -- The Jetta and Passat wagons offer cargo partitions, while
             driver accessories include a VW Beetle squeaky toy, air
             freshener and squishy pillow. Other VW gear includes heavy-duty
             floor mats and cargo liners.

   -- Nissan:
          -- A Pet Guard Divider accessory that helps keep pets secure while
             in a vehicle's cargo area.

Other features that can make traveling with pets easier, and a few cars that have them, include:

   -- Fold-up backseat cushions, which allow a larger area on the floor for
      pets to lie down.
      -- Honda Ridgeline, Dodge Dakota
   -- Fold-flat second-row seats, which open up the cargo area for more pet
      space.
      -- Most wagons/SUVs/minivans
   -- Fold-flat front passenger seat, which opens up the cargo area for even
      more pet space.
      -- Toyota Tacoma, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Dodge Caliber, Toyota Sienna,
         Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Edge, Nissan Xterra, Pontiac Torrent
   -- Hard-coated and scratch-resistant load floor/folding seatbacks, making
      for easy cleanup.
      -- Jeep Compass, Dodge Caliber, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Chevrolet HHR,
         Toyota Yaris hatchback, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Honda Element, Jeep
         Grand Cherokee, Honda CR-V
   -- Washable/stain-resistant upholstery.
      -- Dodge Caliber, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Jeep Compass, Jeep Wrangler
         ('07), Honda Element, Chrysler Aspen, Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler
         PT Cruiser, Chrysler Sebring ('07), Dodge Nitro, Dodge Dakota,
         Dodge Durango, Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab, Jeep Patriot

More information about pets can be accessed through the Cars.com homepage at http://www.cars.com/ . The site includes information on the types of products available to help secure pets safely in the car, and offers tips on traveling with pets. The guide also provides some insight into what some professionals in the pet industry drive.