Tip #24: Ask the dispatcher about your pet before the tow truck arrives
If your dog or cat is with you when the car breaks down, tell the dispatcher on the first call and ask whether the pet can ride along. Do not assume the answer is yes, and line up a backup plan in case it is not.
Tip #24 in one line
If your dog or cat is with you when the car breaks down, tell the dispatcher on the first call and ask whether the pet can ride along. Do not assume the answer is yes, and line up a backup plan in case it is not.
Stuck right now? Skip the reading and call.
Call nowMention it on the first call
When you call (908) 444-0129, tell the dispatcher you have a pet with you, what kind and roughly how big, and whether it is in a carrier. Whether a pet can ride in the cab depends on the truck, the driver and how many people also need a ride. The dispatcher can tell you before the truck rolls, which is better than finding out on the shoulder.
No pet can stay inside a vehicle while it is being towed. Plan on the pet leaving the car with you.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowHave a backup plan
If the pet cannot ride in the truck, arrange for a friend, family member or a pet-friendly rideshare to pick both of you up, or ask the dispatcher whether the tow can be scheduled for after someone has collected the pet.
Keep your pet's identification current, including a tag with your phone number and, if the pet is microchipped, up-to-date registration details. A breakdown is exactly the kind of unfamiliar, noisy situation in which a calm pet can slip a collar and run. A photo of your pet on your phone is useful if that ever happens. Keep its vaccination records handy as well if you travel often, in case you need to board it unexpectedly.
Keep a leash, a collapsible water bowl and, for cats and small dogs, a carrier in the car. A pet that is leashed or crated is easier to manage, safer near traffic and more likely to be welcome in someone else's vehicle.
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Call nowSafety on the roadside
Never let a pet loose on a highway shoulder. A frightened animal can bolt into traffic in a second. Keep it leashed or crated inside the car while you wait, if the car is safe to stay in.
Never leave a pet alone in a parked car on a hot or cold day while you go for help. If a pet is ever locked inside a car and in danger, call 911 first, then call for a car lockout.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowWhen roadside service is enough
Many breakdowns do not need a tow at all. A jump start, fuel delivery or flat tire change is done at the car, and you and your pet stay put while the technician works. Ask the dispatcher which service fits.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowMore on breakdowns
Keep reading, or go back to every post on the blog.
- What to do when your car breaks down in New Jersey
- Where to tow your car: home, repair shop or dealer?
- Tip #23: With kids in the car, decide in the first minute whether they stay buckled or get out
- Tip #32: Close the trunk, windows and sunroof before the truck pulls away
- Tip #33: Take your valuables with you, or lock them out of sight
- Tip #45: In a parking deck, give the level and the clearance before a truck is sent
- Tip #48: Call 911 for danger, a tow company for a car that will not go
- Tip #50: Tell the dispatcher where, what and which way in the first 30 seconds
- All posts
Need towing and roadside assistance right now? One call, truck on the way.
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