Volvo Trucks North America and the nonprofit Center for Pet Safety have released a free Safe Travels With Your Pet guide covering restraints, emergency preparation, temperature concerns, and other situations drivers can encounter while traveling with a pet.

An estimated 800,000 pets travel in commercial trucks across the United States, according to Volvo. The company also reports that more than 60% of commercial truck drivers own a pet, with nearly 40% of those drivers bringing their pet on the road.

Restraints Are a Major Focus

One of the guide’s primary recommendations is keeping pets properly restrained whenever the truck is moving.

Rather than relying on a product simply marketed for vehicle use, the guide addresses selecting and properly using crash-tested harnesses and carriers. The Center for Pet Safety independently tests and certifies harnesses, carriers, and travel crates against its safety standards.

The guide also covers where restraints should be positioned and how drivers can set up the cab to reduce risks from sudden braking or a crash.

Preparing for Weather and Emergencies

Pet safety away from home involves more than securing an animal while the truck is moving. The new resource includes information about hot and cold weather, overnight stops, and preparing for unexpected situations.

Drivers can also find recommendations for assembling a pet first-aid kit, planning for emergencies, and handling hotel stays. Seasonal considerations are included for drivers traveling through changing climates during a run.

The complete Safe Travels With Your Pet guide is available to download for free.

Volvo VNL Put Through Pet Safety Evaluation

The guide follows an evaluation conducted by Volvo and the Center for Pet Safety at the Volvo Customer Center in Dublin, Virginia, in December 2025.

During the evaluation, Center for Pet Safety experts examined the Volvo VNL’s interior layout, restraint options, strength-tested anchor points, and climate-control features. Dogs secured with approved harnesses and carriers were also taken onto the facility’s test track so the organization could observe the setups under actual driving conditions.

The evaluation found that the VNL’s strength-tested anchor points are compatible with Center for Pet Safety Certified harnesses and carriers.

The work continued into 2026 with the development of the new digital guide, extending the project beyond one truck model and providing pet travel information that drivers can use regardless of the truck they operate.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: September 15, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Source: Volvo Trucks North America

The post New Pet Safety Guide Offers Resources for Truck Drivers Traveling with Dogs and Cats appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The guide was introduced in conjunction with National Dog Day and comes as an estimated 800,000 pets travel in commercial truck cabs across the United States. According to Volvo, more than 60% of professional truck drivers are pet owners, and nearly 40% bring a pet with them on the road.

New Guide Focuses on Safe Travel Practices

The free Safe Travels with Your Pet guide offers practical recommendations for drivers traveling with dogs or cats, including how to select crash-tested harnesses and carriers, prepare for emergencies and safely manage overnight stops.

The guide also covers pet first-aid kits, seasonal travel considerations, hotel etiquette and strategies for managing hot and cold weather while traveling. One of the primary recommendations is keeping pets properly restrained whenever the truck is moving.

Designed for New and Experienced Drivers

Volvo said the resource is intended for both first-time pet travelers and drivers who regularly take animals on long-haul trips.

Maddie Sullivan, product marketing manager for Volvo Trucks North America, said many professional drivers view their pets as more than companions waiting at home.

“For many professional drivers, a dog or cat can be more than a pet waiting at home. They are a constant companion through thousands of miles, long shifts and nights on the road,” Sullivan said.

Lindsey Wolko, founder and CEO of the Center for Pet Safety, said the guide was developed to answer common questions drivers have about traveling safely with pets.

Built on Recent Pet Safety Research

The recommendations follow a recent evaluation of Volvo’s all-new VNL conducted at the Volvo Customer Center in Dublin, Virginia.

During the project, Center for Pet Safety researchers examined the truck’s anchor points, restraint options and climate control systems while also evaluating how certified harnesses and carriers performed during real-world driving conditions. The evaluation found that the Volvo VNL’s strength-tested anchor points are compatible with Center for Pet Safety Certified harnesses and carriers.

Free Guide Available

Drivers interested in downloading the Safe Travels With Your Pet guide can access it through Volvo Trucks North America’s website here.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 31, 2026

Source: The Trucker

Source: Volvo

The post Volvo Trucks Releases New Pet Safety Guide for Drivers Traveling with Animals appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.