CHICAGO|Volvo Cars of North America has gone to the dogs at this year's Chicago Auto Show, partnering with BarkBuckleUP of San Diego for a 2008 Pet Travel Safety Campaign.

More than 67 percent of U.S. households own a pet, statistics show. Of those, 44.8 million own a dog; 71 million own a cat. Nearly 50 percent of those households own more than one pet.

"The most critical component for responsible travel with a pet is to properly secure the animal," said Christina Selter, co-founder of BarkBuckleUP. "In an accident, an unrestrained pet can become a projectile, risking serious injury to the passengers and pet."

Volvo is displaying an available dual compartment pet housing system in the 2008 XC90 SUV.

The system helps contain pets in a sturdy metal protective crate, custom-built to fit the contours of the vehicle's cargo bay behind the second row seats.

According to Selter, 80 percent of pet owners travel with their pets but never use a restraint.

A Tru-Fit Smart Harness fits around a pet's front legs and chest and attaches to the vehicle's front or second row buckled shoulder belt harness.

The pet harness is padded and comes in various sizes to match the pet's size and weight.