The latest trend in pet insurance is to insure your pet on your regular auto insurance policy.

Yes, dogs and cats are now covered by most car insurance companies -- at no extra cost to you, the pet owner -- should they be injured in an auto accident!

Well... almost.

While it is true that many car insurance companies will cover vet bills associated with car accidents, there are a few "catches". So, if you're not careful to read the fine print, you could easily get tripped up.

Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting car insurance that covers your pets...

For people with yards that are difficult to fence -- such as a yard that is bordered by a stream, or a yard in a community where fences are not allowed -- an invisible fence is an option that many dog owners consider.
 
Invisible fencing (also called a pet fence, a wireless invisible fence, electric invisible fence, or a fenceless boundary) is essentially a wire that is installed around the perimeter of the yard or play area of the pet. 

This wire has a radio signal and the dog wears a receiver collar.  If the dog gets too close to the wire boundary, the collar emits a noise.  If the dog gets closer, or attempts to cross the boundary, the dog receives a shock.  This “shock treatment” trains the animal to stay within its appointed area.  Not all invisible fences use a boundary wire that must be buried.  Some use a radio signal instead. 
 
While invisible fences solve many problems for dog owners, there is a question as to whether or not electric fences are right for dogs.

If you drive with your dog unrestrained in your car (which means the dog has the freedom to roam from your lap... to the back seat... front seat... and from window to window) and you live in California, then you may be breaking the law.

That is, if a bill sponsored by Bill Maze in the California state legislature passes. On May 5th, it passed in the California Assembly with a 44-11 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate. The earliest this new law could go into effect is January 1, 2009.

You have a potential major risk of an auto accident when you have a live pet that can be around in your face, in the steering wheel, down on the floor under your feet," Maze said Friday. "Pets have a mind of their own and are unpredictable." Source

I have to say, as much as I have been guilty of doing this in the past, I think driving with lapdogs should be outlawed... and in all states.

There are a handful of great websites devoted solely to pet sitting and overnight boarding for dogs.

Through some of them, you can also find specific services like house sitting, walking your dog, grooming, dog training, and more.

Here's the scoop...

If you'll be traveling with your dog -- either locally (out & about running errands), or far away (via an airplane ride or long car ride) -- then you need to take a few precautions. If you don't, then your dog could become separated from you and you'll be up a creek trying to scamper and locate him or her.

These things are simple, and they should be done now so you'll always be prepared in the event of an emergency.

There are a few things that I always have on me any time I'm out & about with my dog.

I take different things, depending on whether we're going for a walk vs going for a ride in the car.

Here's what we take...

A couple of dogs, just being dogs...