Volvo Trucks North America has partnered with the nonprofit Center for Pet Safety to release a new guide aimed at helping professional truck drivers travel more safely with their pets.
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
