Leslie, I am VERY firm about having mine in a kennel and the kennel belted and the animal STAYS in the kennel for the ride.. My daughters friends little girl was along and they have a cat that they let roam in their car, and she didn't think twice about opening the kennel to pet Princess.. My daughter was busy putting her grandbaby in the car seat (hence, the open door) and didn't realize what the girl was doing. The little girl loves cats and she felt extreemly bad about the incident and I am sure she learned a lesson from it that will stay with her the rest of her life.