Help Measured in kilograms of feed

The holiday campaign of Autostrada Wielkopolska and Autostrada Eksploatacja entitled „Have a pet? Have principles” has been a success.  Owing to the involvement of both companies, ESKa radio listeners, readers of KociTata.pl and PiesNaUrlopie.pl internet blogs, and Brit company, the animal shelter in Poznań received half a tone of feed securing sufficient food for 380 animals during the next eight weeks.

Animal lovers often travelling with their pets participated in the joint venture of the two motorway Companies and their Partners. Internauts saw and read the materials prepared by bloggers, and ESK Radio listeners showed the most interesting places they visited with their pets. Each activity was awarded with a kilogram of feed passed to the animal shelter. All initiatives allowed for collecting as much as half a tone of animal feed. 

–The Have a pet? Have principles campaign strengthened our belief in the existence of companies capable of wisely helping those in need. Every day we meet people of good faith who are not indifferent to animal fate. Their volunteer work consisting in taking dogs for walks, cleaning stalls and providing feed is of invaluable support to us – says Małgorzata Lamperska of the animal shelter in Poznań.

We are happy to have joined such important and innovative compaign. Our company always becomes readily involved in all activities to help animals, both in terms of their safety and good life.

However, such help is not the only objective set forth by Autostrada Wielkopolska and Autostrada Eksploatacja. The „Have a pet?  Have principles!” campaign covered the issue of correct transport of animals in cars. There exist no unambiguous regulations in Poland to determine safe transport of four-legged friends.  Often we do not know the right way to do it, and therefore it is worth obtaining expert suggestions.

 Taking care of safety of the persons travelling in our motorway, the motorway patrol employees pay attention to every detail which may disturb a trip. They also observe how we carry animals in cars. It is very important not only to prepare our four-legged friends for the trip, but also to secure them when driving, by fastening special harnesses on animals, or transporting them in dedicated carriers. When makinga stop on a parking site, never animals should never be unleashed. This is to make sure that the pet, even if scared by e.g. the noise of  driving truck, will not escape on the road and will safely arrive to the destination – suggests  Renata Rychlewska, PR Manager of Autostrada Eksploatacja. 

 The film created during the campaign showed good practices of safe and comfortable trip with animals. Dogs and cats commented upon various situations they found themselves in, using the voices of radio journalists and employees of Autostrada Eksploatacja. The campaign was also supported by the authors of KociTata.pl and PiesNaUrlopie.pl blogs who involved a wide group of internauts using their communication channels. ESKA Radio listeners in ESKA Summer City project helped to procure silicon journey bowls for animals. 

Four-leg friends should be taken care of when driving in the car, this is the obligation of not only responsible caregivers, but also responsible road users. Therefore we should remember about the most important principles of traveling with animals not only on holiday, but throughut the year:

1. Do not transport unattached animals – they should always travel in animal carriers or appropriate harnesses/belts. 
2. Prepare the space earmarked for a dog or a cat, ensuring even, yet soft, comfortable and stable surface, to increase your animal’s comfort.
3. Do not brake abruptly – the animal’s mass is smaller than yours, violent braking may be very stressing for your pet, and dangerous for you.
4. Remember that animals have to answer the call of nature, take care to make a break in your trip at regular intervals.
5. Take care of your pet’s safety in Rest and Service Areas. Before going out of the car, put a leash on your animals, do not let it run unguarded, as it may get hit by another car or escape to the carriageway. The parking site is the best place to give your pet a drink.
6. Do not leave your animal alone in a hot car, as it can easily become overheated or dehydrated, like a human.
7. Remember some animals suffer from travel sickness – observe their behaviour and react.
8. Do not listen to loud music when driving, as it can put additional stress on your animal.
9. Do not blow air/air condition on your pet. Animals’ eare are sensitive they catch otitis easily.
10. If you spot an animal roaming on the Wielkopolska Motorway – call the Central Control Room (618 383 112) or notify Infoline service (+48 800 022 242).

The partners of „Have a pet? Have principles!” campaign were: Fundacja Głosem Zwierząt, producer of Brit feed, Zoozakupy.pl shop network and Radio ESKA.