CHICAGO, Illinois: It’s finally summertime and you're ready for that long deserved vacation. Your car is stuffed with luggage, clothes, tent, skis, children and assorted equipment - you've forgotten nothing, right? Wrong. Where will you put your pet?

More and more people are now looking for pet-friendly cars (complete with amenities) to make each trip as memorable and as comfortable as possible for both human and pet alike. In fact, according to a recent study done by the American Kennel Club, 45% of dog owners are on the lookout for the most pet-friendly cars on the market today. Car companies are moving quickly to harness this new demographic by designing vehicles which are more suited to and comfortable for hauling your pet dog or cat.

Gone are the days when Fido was simply chucked in in the back of the pick-up truck. today we know how stressful this can actually be for your pet. While they may look like they are enjoying themselves, often they are struggling to stay in the vehicle.

Car companies are fast becoming more pet-friendly by putting in specially-designed pet features as a standard option for interested car buyers. The top consideration and the most important of which is, of course, safety and comfort for both human and pet. One example is Honda's W.O.W (Wonderful Open-Hearted Wagon) which features a glove apartment designed specifically to carry pets so drivers can interact with them safely while driving

Some car manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of what can be considered a 'pet-mobile'. Here are some of the better examples:

Subaru’
Subaru’'s Outback wagon and Forester variant features steel barriers separating the cargo area from the back seat, while vehicle flooring is protected by washable rubber or plastic mats.

Honda
The company is set to unveil a new concept car called the Honda W.O.W, (Wonderful Open-Hearted Wagon),” which features a glove apartment designed specially for pets so drivers can interact with their pets while driving. Honda's Element boasts washable urethane flooring, an expandable cargo-hold and stain-resistant fabric.

DaimlerChrysler’
Dodge has put special stain and spill-resistant fabric in all auto interiors for the Aspen, Pacifica and Caliber models.

Volvo
Volvo'’s S80 model, boasts a trunk which can be divided in two with removable grilles, transforming it into a functional pet carrier complete with a front gate. Volvo vehicles now have nets connecting the backrests of their front or rear seats to the ceiling to partition your pet from the front passengers. Meanwhile, four metal dividers have been added in the cargo hold for wagons and SUVs.

Saab
Saab's 9-3 SportCombi and 9-5 SportCombi wagon’s have cargo space which can be divided in two with dividers to accommodate pets and cargo. Rear flooring is protected by cargo mats, cargo apron and cargo guard, while the 9-5 SportCombi wagon also makes use of a trunk tray.

Saturn
The Saturn Vue boasts a cargo management system incorporating some pet-friendly amenities.

Volkswagen
Volswagen's Jetta and Passat wagons also offer partitions to divide its cargo hold, as well as heavy-duty floor mats and cargo liners to protect the flooring.

Nissan
Nissan offers a pet guard divider to maximize the car’s cargo hold.

Pet-friendly car features not specific to one manufacturer include:

• Foldable backseat cushions for pets to lie down on in the Honda Ridgeline and Dodge Dakota.
• More cargo space for pets: most wagons, SUVs and minivans’ second-row seats can be folded down.
• Foldable front passenger seats for more pet space: the Toyota Tacoma, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Dodge Caliber, Toyota Sienna, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Edge, Nissan Xterra, Pontiac Torrent.
• Hard-coated and scratch-resistant flooring and seatbacks for easier cleaning: the Jeep Compass and Grand Cherokee, Dodge Caliber, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Chevrolet HHR and TrailBlazer, Toyota Yaris hatchback, Honda Element and CR-V.
• Washable and stain-resistant upholstery: the Dodge Caliber, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Jeep Compass, Patriot and Wrangler ('07), Honda Element, Chrysler Aspen, Pacifica, PT Cruiser, and Sebring ('07), Dodge's Nitro, Dakota, Durango, and Ram 1500 Mega Cab.

So, for pet-owners planning that great summer adventure, make sure that you and Fido buckle-up for safety! With these pet-friendly vehicles, you and your furry four-legged friend are sure to enjoy frolicking under the summer sun.