Traveling with our pets is just something that comes with the territory. Whether you’re heading out for a day of Frisbee at the local park or going to the dreaded vet’s office for that annual checkup, there’s just no good way to get them in and out of the car easily let alone making sure your pets are safe while in the car. Up until recently there wasn’t a vehicle specifically made for pet owners in mind, but that all changes now with the new 2009 Toyota Venza sedan. After several studies came back saying that one reason people choose the cars they do was because of the ease in which it allowed them to travel with their animals, Toyota decided to step up their game and introduce a car just for those consumers who loved taking their four legged friends for a drive. According to Bob Zeinstra, national marketing manager for Toyota, “Toyota is the kind of company that looks at safety of occupants, the safety of pedestrians, and now we’re looking at the safety of pets. We said here’s a way we could satisfy the needs of our customers by giving them a vehicle that’s pet friendly and also offering them pet products that make them safer and reduce wear and tear.”

To go along with the Venza, Toyota is offering a dozen different accessories specifically designed to make traveling with pets easier.  Along with a ramp that allows the animal to get in and out of the vehicle easier, pet products for the Venza also include: a leash tether to prevent the animal from running around the car and distracting the driver, a booster seat with harness, waterproof seat covers, a cargo barrier, pet seat belt buckles, and even a zip line harness.

While the suggested retail prices for the Venza and its pet friendly accessories won’t be made to the public until the end of this year, Toyota is letting its customers know that if the new options  are a success than you can for sure expect more models to incorporate the pet lifestyle.