Thanks to cutting-edge research and their unique Safety Test Program, Sleepypod offers trusted carriers, seatbelts, leashes and other travel accessories designed to keep pets safe.

When you hear “Sleepypod”, safety is probably the first thing that comes to mind. This company has made a name for itself in the pet industry as a trusted provider of collars, harnesses, leashes, beds, carriers and travel accessories for dogs and cats, all with one very important goal in common – to keep your pet’s safe. Since the day the company was founded, the dedicated Sleepypod team has prioritized the well-being of its four-legged customers. They launched the Sleepypod Safety Test Program in 2008, and have been immersed in cutting-edge research and development ever since.

Setting (and exceeding) their own standards

While there is no industry requirement for testing, none of Sleepypod’s products are released to the public until they’ve undergone a series of stringent quality and safety trials. Throughout the design phase, safety restraints are tested at an accredited National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash test facility. First, they’re tested at US, Canadian and EU child safety seat standards, followed by independent testing by the Center for Pet Safety.

But the Sleepypod team doesn’t stop there. They also perform their own crash tests using specially-designed dummies. “Crash test pets perform a job that can’t be completed by any living dog or cat,” says Michael Leung, the company’s co-founder and lead product designer. “Sleepypod crash test dog DUKE 2.0 and crash test cat CLEO 2.0 provide us with accurate, verifiable data.”

Safety takes time

Because every product is different, Sleepypod’s testing periods vary vastly. “It took years for our product designers to engineer a safety harness that met our standard for safety, which is to keep the dog’s torso on the seat for the duration of the test while also controlling rotation of the dog,” says Michael. “After many designs and tests, we finally achieved that goal for dogs up to a certain weight.” Sleepypod continues to design and research other methods of restraining animals, including giant breed dogs, in a vehicle.

Why test throughout the design phase? Poorly-designed products can cause more harm than good, so Sleepypod incorporates both tensile tests and crash tests to allow any weak points to be revealed. According to Michael, this comprehensive testing protocol offers a more accurate safety evaluation. Though it takes more time, one test without the other provides an incomplete assessment of vehicle collision safety.

Trustworthy and dependable

As part of their dedication to the safety of their four-legged customers, Sleepypod makes their testing videos available to the public at youtube.com/user/Sleepypod, and constantly releases new safety data on their website. These resources allow animal parents to see that no corners are cut when it comes to their fur babes’ safety. “The bottom line?” says Michael. “You shouldn’t have to guess about the safety of your dog or cat’s products!”