Raleigh, NC -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/04/2011 -- The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association (http://www.ncvma.org/) has announced that Gov. Bev Perdue has signed a proclamation announcing November 2011 as Safe Pet Travel Awareness Month in North Carolina and urging citizens to commend observance. Nearly 90 percent of pet owners indicate that they travel with their pets, and the AAA Auto Club and American Veterinary Medical Association recommend that people use restraints on dogs and cats to prevent harm to the animals, the driver and other passengers. The proclamation states that pets should not ride in the front passenger seat because of the risk of injury from a deploying airbag. In the event of a crash, restraining a pet prevents the animal from running off and possibly getting hit by another vehicle, causing another crash or causing distraction to first responders.

Pet restraints include readily available harnesses, animal seat belts, hard- or soft-sided travel crates and vehicle seats that are sold at local pet shops or can be purchased online. To view the proclamation, visit http://www.governor.state.nc.us/NewsItems/ProclamationDetail.aspx?newsItemID=2126.

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“We are very pleased that Gov. Perdue has recognized the merits of safe pet travel,” said Claire Holley, executive director of the NCVMA. “We hope this proclamation will inspire and educate the public to travel more safely with their dogs and cats by using pet restraints. Many automobile accidents and injuries are caused every year by unrestrained pets, and we want this situation improved for the safety of dogs and cats as well as their owners.”

About The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association
The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association (NCVMA) is a professional organization of veterinarians dedicated to compassionate animal care and quality medicine. The NCVMA promotes integrity and excellence in veterinary medicine, provides the highest quality continuing education programs and conferences, supports its members through public relations and marketing efforts to the public and governing officials, lobbies on behalf of the interests of the entire profession, and serves as an advocate and voice for veterinary medicine in the state. For more information, visit http://www.ncvma.org/, or call (800) 446-2862 or (919) 851-5850.