Toyota Venza Appeals to Pet Owners

Toyota's new Venza crossover will offer a full line of aftermarket pet products upon the Venza's market launch at the end of 2008. Anticipating that many buyers of the Venza may be pet owners, Toyota put together this line up of pet products.

"Venza is a vehicle designed to meet the needs of people with a fun and on-the-go lifestyle, especially active boomers," says Bob Zeinstra, Toyota Motor Sales' national product marketing manager for Venza. "Many of these buyers look to their pets to fill the gap left by their kids. We wanted to make sure the Venza can accommodate this important family member and traveling companion."

A recent survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association revealed that half of all dog owners consider their pet's comfort when buying a car. And 30,000 accidents annually are caused by unrestrained pets, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), resulting ion more states passing legislation which require pets to be secured in vehicles to increase pet safety and reduce driver distractions.

Available through Toyota dealerships there are more than a dozen products which include a rear hatch pet ramp for easy loading and unloading, a leash tether for securing pets in the vehicle, a pet booster seat with harness, a first/second row or cargo area pet barrier, pet seatbelt buckles and rear seat zip line-style harnesses. Waterproof and removable hammock-style seat covers are also available to fit Venza's bench and bucket seats.