Do you own a dog or cat that is constantly escaping or disappearing? Have you set up fences and closed windows only to stand helpless as your dog rushes through your legs and out the door when the mail person arrives? Or your cat escaped over the weekend while you were away and the neighbor came to feed her? Even if your pet stays safe when at home, you may face dangers when traveling with your pet. A friend took her cat on holidays with her. She stopped at a reststop in a bushy area. As she got out of the car, her cat leaped out and ran into the dense bush. Inspite of hours of searching and calling the cat, she could not locate it. Fortunately for her and her pet, someone else found the cat some days later and took it home. Eventually, after several weeks, the cat and our friend were reunited. Now, the cat won't even go out into the yard. It is terrified of leaving the security of the house.
Most pets love to explore and even the most conscientious owners will find certain pets - especially dogs like Beagles and other hunting breeds - that routinely seek adventure out-of-bounds. Outside and alone your pet will face the dangers of cold weather, traffic on the roads and even attack by other animals - wild or not.
Can You Protect Your Pet?
Finding them as soon as possible will reduce the threats drastically. Getting your pet home before nightfall when cars are less likely to see them, the temperature drops and wild animals can roam even in the city, is key to keeping them from harm. In our northern town, bears, wolves, foxes and coyotes regularly pass through during the night. As a result, my mom and dad do not let me and our other dogs go outside into the yard unaccompanied. Several dogs in town have been attacked in their own yards by wild animals. Most did not survive. The dog catcher's dog was able to get into his house and fight off the bear that attacked him, although he suffered some nasty claw marks on his face and the top of his head.
If you have spent too many days roaming the streets looking for your pet or suffered the heartbreak of losing a pet forever you will appreciate what GPS technology can do.
What is GPS?
GPS means 'Global Positioning System'. It is a method of tracking the position of anything from a car to a child or even your pet. The system uses surveillance methods set up by the government with satellites monitoring a tracking device worn by the person or pet.
How Do I Get the Information?
The information can be accessed by your phone, the Internet or with software you install on your personal computer. Some systems also permit data to be delivered to a cell phone with GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication).
You can set a 'safe zone' on your tracking device that will only start monitoring your pet's location if they leave the area. If they leave the zone, you will be alerted. When you are traveling, you can reset the zone boundaries.
The information itself must be tracked by attaching a transmitter to the collar of your pet. The GPS system is much more powerful than a typical tracking collar which has a limited range. However, you will have to pay for a service provider to monitor the device and relay the information to you.
If you do choose to use GPS with your pet, make sure it is part of an overall strategy to protect your pet, since the device itself will not prevent your pet from escaping or encountering harm. If your pet loves water, you will also need to be sure the device you choose is waterproof.
Until next time,
Teia
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