Volvo Trucks North America and the Center for Pet Safety have released a free safety guide for the estimated 800,000 pets that travel with professional drivers across the U.S.

More than 60% of commercial truck drivers own pets, and nearly 40% bring them on the road. Timed with National Dog Day, the guide offers practical advice on crash-tested harnesses and carriers, emergency preparedness, weather extremes, overnight stops, pet first-aid kits, and hotel etiquette.

A key recommendation: always restrain pets while the truck is moving.

“For many professional drivers, a dog or cat is a constant companion through long shifts and nights on the road,” said Maddie Sullivan, product marketing manager at Volvo Trucks North America.

The guidance follows a first-of-its-kind evaluation of the Volvo VNL at the company’s Customer Center in Dublin, Virginia, where Center for Pet Safety experts assessed anchor points, restraint options, and real-world driving conditions with dogs.

The free Safe Travels With Your Pet guide is available for download.