Willi lost her collar in the process of escaping a hot car, which only added to her perils. In addition to finding herself in an unfamiliar place with lots of dangerous traffic all around her, she lacked identifying tags. Lack of tags is the number one reason that dogs get turned into humane societies and dog pounds. Here are some tips for you when traveling with pets:

1- Do not take your dog on a family trip unless you arrange in advance for accommodations in hotels that will allow pets, and, that will also allow you to leave them in the hotel room while you are out and about. Do not leave home without written confirmation that your dog will be welcome at your chosen hotels.

2- Do leave your dog at home with a critter sitter while you travel, or in a reputable kennel. If you must travel interstate with your dog, call ahead to your destinations and confirm kennel accommodations at the very least. In peak tourist seasons this will not always be an option.

3- Do not leave a dog in a vehicle unattended even for a few minutes. On a sunny day the temperature inside a car can soar to over 120 degrees Fahrenheit (or 49 degrees C), turning the inside into an oven. Even on overcast days or in the shade, the temperature inside the car will rise dangerously.

4- Do not tie the dog’s leash to the steering wheel or to anything else inside your car, as dogs will inevitably get hung up and risk death by hanging.

5- Do not leave a car window cracked or even half-open with a dog inside, as that is little better than a closed window. The windows themselves create a greenhouse effect, allowing heat to build up rapidly inside the car. Dogs quickly begin to experience heatstroke because nearly 90 per cent of their bodies are covered in hair.

6- Do be kind to your dog and keep a secure collar & tag on him or her at all times. Make sure your telephone number is on the tag, as well.

7- Do ask your veterinarian about microchips that are becoming a popular method for the permanent identification of pets. The chip is small, compact, and easily inserted under the skin but you must also register the dog at one of two major databases nationally. A collar and tag will still be required!

8- Do not give up on your dog if he or she does become lost! Find out where the local humane society is located and visit them every day. Carry a photo of your pet and tag numbers to help identify them. You can find Williamsburg’s Heritage Humane Society on the web at: www.heritagehumanesociety.org