YOU HAVE A PET? HAVE PRINCIPLES! Autostrada Wielkopolska jointly with Autostrada Eksploatacja are launching an educational campaign addressed to drivers and concerning travelling with animals

Every second Pole has a pet, as shown in the research carried out by Kantar Public. Experts admit that travelling with pets has been getting more and more popular. 2/3 of Poles take their animal friends on holiday. Taking care of safety of all travelers, including four-legged ones, the Concessionaire together with the Operator of the A2 Świecko – Konin Motorway have started the “Have a pet?”  “Have principles!” educational campaign.

Polish legal regulations do not specify the method of transporting animals in a car. The reference is solely made to their interpretation banning the use of vehicles in a way threatening the safety of the persons in a car and outside a car. The “Have a pet? Have principles” campaign has thus been launched for the purpose of showing good practices and principles ensuring safety of travel with animals.

Holding a pet is a huge responsibility, both at home and on holiday. We often do not realise the danger of not observing the principles of driving in a car with animals. When going on a trip, we should not only make sure that our animal friend is appropriately secured in case of accident, but also that travel conditions are comfortable for our animal- says Agnieszka Zabrocka, Vice-President of Fundacja Głosem Zwierząt, expert partner of the campaign.

So which principles are worth observing to travel safely and comfortably with our pets?

1. Do not transport unattached animals. They should always travel in animal carriers or appropriate harnesses/belts.
2. Prepare the space for a dog or a cat with even, yet soft, comfortable and stable surface, to enhance your animal’s comfort.
3. Do not brake abruptly. Violent braking may be very stressing for your pet whose mass is smaller than yours, and may be 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 animal, 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’ ears are sensitive and they catch otitis easily.
10. If you spot an animal roaming on the motorway, call the Central Control Room (61 83 83 112) or report to the Infoline (+48 800 022 242).

We should take care of animals accompanying us on a trip not only inside, but also outside a car. Motorway patrols frequently observe light-hearted behaviour of dog or cat owners on the motorway parking sites.

– We can never foresee how our dog or cat will behave in an unknown place. Before going out of the car, put a leash on your animal. Do not unleash your animal in the Rest and Service Area. Do not forget that the parking site makes part of a very busy motorway. If our animal gets frightened or escapes, it may put in danger not only itself, but also other traffic participants. – says Krzysztof Gruszczyński, Traffic Organisation Expert of the Operation and Maintenance Centre in Kotowo.

 Autostrada Wielkopolska S.A. made a film for the “Have a pet? Have principles” campaign. The mentees of the Fundacja Głosem Zwierząt star in the film to show what we should remember about when travelling with animals. Numerous competitions are planned in the campaign, both on the radio, and on the blogs run by persons writing about animals. Autostrada Wielkopolska will pass 0.5 tons of feed to selected animal shelters, for the involvement of listeners and readers.

The campaign partners include: Fundacja Głosem Zwierząt, producer of Brit feed, Zoozakupy.pl shop and Radio ESKA.