PetSmart's Summer Road Trip Giveaway Has Pet Parents Dreaming Big
Summer road trips sound fun in theory until pet parents actually start packing for them. Suddenly, the backseat fills with leashes, travel bowls, waste bags, calming toys, crates and enough snacks to survive a small apocalypse. Add an anxious dog who hates long car rides or a cat who screams every time the carrier door closes, and even a simple weekend getaway can start feeling stressful before the car leaves the driveway.
That is partly why more retailers are leaning into travel-focused pet collections this year. Pet parents are looking for practical gear that makes summer adventures feel easier instead of chaotic. PetSmart appears to be betting big on that demand with a new summer travel campaign centered around road trip essentials, expert safety advice and a giveaway that has some shoppers seriously daydreaming about open highways and dog-friendly pit stops. The retailer recently announced a new Treats Rewards Super Giveaway that includes the chance to win a fully outfitted Ford Bronco Heritage Edition, along with travel gear designed specifically for pets.
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PetSmart's Summer Travel Giveaway Comes With a Ford Bronco and Pet Gear
According to a recent PetSmart announcement, the company is launching a summer road trip campaign to help pet parents travel more comfortably and safely with their animals this season.
From June 1 through July 10, Treats Rewards members can enter for a chance to win a Ford Bronco Heritage Edition equipped with pet travel essentials from Top Paw and Arcadia Trail. Members can enter online through PetSmart or within the PetSmart app, with additional entries available through points redemption.
The campaign arrives as more Americans prepare for summer road trips with pets in tow. PetSmart cited AAA travel projections showing especially strong summer holiday travel numbers, with road travel continuing to dominate vacation planning for many families.
Alongside the giveaway, PetSmart shared veterinarian-approved road-trip safety recommendations from Dr. Jennifer Bruns of PetSmart Veterinary Services. The advice focused heavily on helping pets feel calmer and more secure during longer drives.
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Some of the biggest recommendations included gradually acclimating pets to car rides before major trips, securing pets properly with seat belts or ventilated carriers, and planning for regular hydration and bathroom breaks throughout travel days. The retailer also encouraged pet parents to create dedicated travel bags with essentials like bowls, medications, toys and cleanup supplies.
That increased focus on pet travel gear has become especially noticeable this year as retailers continue expanding seasonal collections built around outdoor adventures and vacations. Even playful summer collections like Petco's summer pet clothes collection show how strongly brands are leaning into warm-weather pet lifestyles right now.
The emotional side of road trips matters too. Many pets experience anxiety during travel, especially when routines suddenly change. Soft music, calming toys and familiar comfort items can sometimes help ease that transition. And honestly, some pets seem perfectly happy just sticking their head out the window, pretending they are starring in their own movie montage.
The campaign also taps into something many pet parents already know instinctively. Vacations increasingly revolve around bringing pets along instead of leaving them behind. From dog-friendly hotels to outdoor restaurants and lakeside cabins, travel culture has shifted toward making pets part of the experience itself.
And if nothing else, the image of a golden retriever sitting proudly beside a Ford Bronco full of road trip gear feels almost scientifically engineered to make pet parents want to pack a cooler and hit the highway immediately. For those staying closer to home this summer, lighter feel-good animal moments like this video of a baby duck swimming in a watermelon continue to remind people why pet and animal content dominates everyone's feeds once warm weather arrives.
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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 5:30 AM.