Pet Abbey

If you’re someone who is always on the go, the chances are good that there are times when you want to take your pet with you. Indeed, more people than ever before are bringing their furry and feathered friends along on car trips, camping trips, and even airplane trips. When you do, though, you want to make sure your lovable pet travels safely and in style. To help you find a pet carrier that fits your and your pet’s needs, here is an overview of what’s available:

Bicycle Pet Carriers
Bicycling is fun and great exercise. Whether you’re going to a nearby park or riding along a boardwalk, your pet will want to go along for a ride! Bicycle pet carriers come in two main styles: baskets and trailers. The best baskets weigh in a less than five pounds, and can comfortably accommodate pets weighing up to 13 pounds and standing up to 13 inches tall at the shoulders. Designed to sit on a bicycle’s handlebars, rip stop polyester baskets typically have sturdy carrying handles and a shoulder strap that can double as a leash. Baskets often have several cargo pockets to store your gear, and come with an adjustable safety harness and a high visibility reflector stripe.

It’s simply not safe to leash your pet to a bike, so a bicycle pet trailer is the perfect solution for taking your larger dog with you on your next ride. This type of pet travel carrier typically comes in two sizes, one for pets up to 45 pounds and another for pets up to 115 pounds. Pet trailers usually have zippered mesh “windows” and removable vinyl panels that you can adjust for the current weather conditions. With a wheel on each side, a pet trailer hooks to the rear wheel of the bicycle for a safe and fun trip.

Wheeled Pet Carriers
Whether you’re going for a neighborhood stroll or walking through an airport, you need a wheeled pet carrier or pet stroller. The main difference between a wheeled pet carrier and a pet stroller is that the carrier more closely resembles a mesh suitcase on wheels and the stroller resembles a baby stroller. Many carriers and strollers come in two or three sizes, with weight limits ranging from 8 pounds to 60 pounds. Some wheeled pet carriers are multi-purpose, and convert to car seats, backpacks, and pet beds. Others are suitable for carrying more than one pet at a time, which you might do for trips to the vet or to pet shows. These usually have two removable carriers that stack on top of one another in a stroller assembly.

Small Pet Carriers
Pet carriers for small animals like cats, rabbits, and ferrets allow you to keep your furry family member close to you. Best of all, small pet carriers come in a variety of styles, such as purses, backpacks and front packs.

Bird Travel Carriers
You no longer have to leave your feathered friend at home while you enjoy the great outdoors. With a bird travel carrier, you have an adventure pack that is easy to clean, comfortable to wear, and a snap to store.

With all of the terrific pet carriers on the market, there’s no reason to leave your best friend at home. Take him or her with you and create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime!

The bicycle — what a wonderful, freeing mode of transportation. The first bicycle was invented in Europe in the nineteenth century, and today it is the world’s most popular vehicle. The bicycle allowed travel that is 3 times more energy efficient than walking, and 3-4 times as fast as walking. Bicycles and horse buggies were the two mainstays of private transportation just prior to the invention of the automobile, and the grading of smooth roads in the late 19th century was stimulated by the wide use of these devices. Bicycles are a pragmatic, functional, and efficient component of a healthy urban transportation system. They are simple and elegant machines that attract just about every kid of all ages, from 2 to 92. Bicycling has many health benefits and does not directly contribute to global warming or environmental pollution. It is a wonderful sport that brings health and joy to millions of people everywhere.

Have you wanted to travel with your dog but find the whole thing too overwhelming? There are several ways of enjoying your bike and your pet at the same time — some are more safe than others.  You don’t have to train your dog to ride a bike himself:

With large dogs, you could do a fast version of walking the dog — you on your bicycle and your dog on a leash. Yes, this method gives both you and your dog exercise, but at what risk? You’ve increased the width that automobile drivers need to avoid, which may be fine on low speed, less travelled roads. But this is not advised on busier streets. Also your safety is now in your hands as well as the paws of your dog. Are you prepared for your dog quickly veering off track after a stray cat? What about your dog’s safety? Be careful not to run your pet too long on a hard surface. This can not only cause joint problems, but also bleeding of the paws. There is a lot at stake and a lot of uncertainties when you bike-jog with your pet.

You could take even more risks by allowing your dog to run ahead of you without a leash. This would eliminate the problem of your safety being in the paws of your pet, but it brings up all sorts of other issues, like laws. It is unlawful in most areas to allow your dog to run freely without a leash, no matter how well trained he is.

For small to medium dogs, there is a much safer method of bicycling with your pet — pet bicycle trailer. Actually, some pet bicycle trailers can accommodate pets up to 115 pounds. With one of these attached to the back of your bicycle, you can maintain your active lifestyle and get your pet out in the fresh air. Going to the park to give your pet a little fun and exercise? Why not get some exercise yourself on the trip there and back, without tiring them out along the way? You can put any small to medium pet in a pet bicycle trailer. Of course, it might take some getting used to and training, especially for the more high strung pets. Here are two high quality pet bicycle trailers: Track’r™ Pet Bicycle Trailer and Burley Tail Wagon.

Please, note these precautions when using a pet bicycle trailer: When riding, your dog should always be secured with the safety leash adjusted to the correct length. Do not exceed the recommended weight capacity of your pet bicycle trailer. Check tire inflation before every ride. Carefully check the connection of the trailer to your bicycle before riding. Be aware that riding with the trailer increases your braking distance and may affect your ability to control the bicycle. Thoroughly practice in a safe area before riding with the trailer in high-traffic areas. Always wear a helmet when riding.

There is one more way to enjoy your bike rides and your pets, too — a pet carrier that fits on your bicycle’s handle bars. This is only recommended for small pets up to around 15 pounds — your pet bike carrier will specify the exact weight limit. Now you can have your dog share in the fun of a bike ride. Bike ride with your pet in front of you with a center-mounted bicycle pet carrier. You’re closer to your pet and can better enjoy his company with a bicycle pet carrier, like the Pet Cruiser Sport Carrier and the Pet Cruiser Wicker Cruiser.

As with every mode of travel, there are precautions when using handlebar mounted pet carriers:. Never leave your pet unattended or alone in the basket while yiour bike is resting on a kickstand. Never leave animals confined and unattended in direct sunlight or where there is a risk of overheating. Be sure to secure your pet with the harness. Do NOT speed. The rider must wear an approved helmet. Do not ride when it is wet outside. Do not ride at night. Conduct a pre-ride check before riding. Do not exceed weight capacity limit specified for your carrier. Do not install safety straps in any way that will interfere with brake cables, brake levers, or gear control shifters of your bicycle.

Burley’s newest Burley Pet Trailer designed specifically for pets, the Burley Tail Wagon is the perfect way to transport your animal companions. Lightweight and built for durability, vented sides and a large front screen.

The Burley Pet Trailer is made from lightweight aluminum tubing and covered with a stain, mildew resistant, and water repelling polyester, high quality fabric. The geometry of each trailer is specifically tuned to reduce the weight on the connecting hitch, while at the same time providing an even balance point over the trailer wheels. This minimizes the load on the bicycle to maximize handling and ensure an extremely stable and secure ride.