ATLANTA, Aug. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Autotrader understands that whether consumers are searching for the right car or on the hunt for that perfect pooch to align with their lifestyle, these are both big decisions in life that require trusted resources to find that ideal match. In honor of the brand's fifth consecutive year of celebrating National Dog Day (August 26), Autotrader has teamed with North America's largest non-profit pet adoption website Adopt-a-Pet.com, to launch special-edition website Dogtrader.com, for a limited time. Here, dog lovers can search for local pups in their area and help get homeless dogs out of shelters and into loving homes – the real mission at the heart of National Dog Day.

10 Great Cars for Dog Lovers

For many of us, pets are part of the family and because of this, when we travel, they travel. In fact, 1-in-3 dog owners say their dog impacts their purchase decision.¹ Finding a vehicle with pet-friendly features can make the ride both enjoyable and safer for both humans and dogs, which is why the editors at Autotrader named their picks for 10 Great Cars for Dog Lovers.

"We've compiled a list of the top 10 vehicles that are the perfect match for dog owners everywhere," says Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader. "From vehicles with large rear doors and an open cargo floor to second-row fold down seats, each car on our list was selected based on features that are important when drivers are traveling with their four-legged friends."

Vehicles on this year's list of 10 Great Cars for Dog Lovers include:

2018 Buick Encore
Certified Pre-Owned Chevrolet Equinox
2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Certified Pre-Owned Ford Escape
Certified Pre-Owned Honda Fit
2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
2018 Nissan Kicks
2018 Subaru Crosstrek
2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
2018 Volvo V90

*Models are unranked, listed in alphabetical order

While these cars all have great features for pets and their parents, most cars are designed and built around the needs of their human occupants, so it's important to take along those extra car accessories for dogs to help keep them happy and healthy. From safety to comfort, there are a number of manufacturer and aftermarket add-ons designed with dogs in mind, such as car kennels, rear seat pet hammocks, spill-proof water bowl, pet ramps and more.

For more information about the vehicles and must-have accessories on the list, pet safety tips when driving and to find your new dog, visit Dogtrader.com.

For more information and news from Autotrader, visit press.autotrader.com, follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Autotrader_com (or @Autotrader_com), Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/autotrader_com/ (or @autotrader_com), like our page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/autotrader/, add us on Snapchat (@Autotrader_com), and get updates at Google+ at https://plus.google.com/+Autotrader.

¹ Source: ForeSee, July 13-26, 2018

About Autotrader
Autotrader is the most visited third-party car shopping site, with the most engaged audience of in-market shoppers. As the foremost authority on automotive consumer insights and expert in online and mobile marketing, Autotrader makes the car shopping experience easy and fun for today's empowered consumer looking to find or sell the perfect new, used or Certified Pre-Owned car. Using technology, shopper insights and local market guidance, Autotrader's comprehensive marketing solutions guide dealers to personalized digital marketing strategies that grow brand, drive traffic and connect the online and in-store shopping experience. Autotrader is a Cox Automotive™ brand. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com.   

About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling and owning cars easier for everyone. The global company's 34,000-plus team members and family of brands, including Autotrader^®, Dealer.com^®, Dealertrack^®, Kelley Blue Book^®, Manheim^®, NextGear Capital^®, VinSolutions^®, vAuto^® and Xtime^®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with revenues exceeding $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

About Adopt-a-Pet.com
Adopt-a-Pet.com is North America's largest non-profit pet adoption website, helping over 18,000 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their purebred and mixed breed pets for free to millions of adopters each month. Sponsored by Purina, the Petco Foundation, Petco, and Bayer Animal Health LLC, Adopt-a-Pet.com helps homeless dogs, cats, and even rabbits and other animals go from alone to adopted.

SOURCE Autotrader