Lost Pets, The Numbers May Surprise You

It is an alarming fact to think that when you consider how many dog owners exist within the contiguous United States and that the average household has two or more dogs that there is no national registry of sorts that one can go to see just how many dogs and cats go missing every year. As it stands for now, this type of data can mainly be found in pieces only through local shelter statistics but I think we all know that this is a very big problem and one worth getting a broader understanding of. 

GPS Tracking Collar for Dogs

There are roughly 13,600 community animal shelters nationwide with approximately 7.6 million animals entering these shelters every year. An estimated 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats. As far as how many dogs and cats per household goes, some of the latest figures have that number somewhere around 60-70 million pet owners nationwide. The unfortunate side of these figures is that out of the number of pets that did find their way to a shelter only about 650,000 were actually returned to their owners. 

Dog Collar with GPS

As a result of these numbers, across the board, should any of us be surprised that companies within the pet industry are churning out various types of GPS collars to give pet owners a realistic option in finding their furry family members before they end up in a shelter. What is surprising is when we think how long GPS technology has been around, which puts a date somewhere around the early 1970s, and why it took so long to use this technology in such a useful and beneficial way. Either way, the technology is here and does not appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. 

GPS Dog Tracker

In addition to the GPS collar, there is another type of technology out there that at times is often be misunderstood insofar as exactly how it works in finding your dog; the microchip. This is a great idea and does have real-world value, however, unlike the GPS collar the microchip will not help you find your dog it only works if a shelter rep or Vet gets your dog and then subsequently scans the animal for a chip. In other words, the dog or cat actually has to be found in order for it to have any benefit for the bereft pet owner. This is certainly becoming a "Brave New World" as pets are becoming more and more connected with their respective owners. I think this is a good thing as long as these products and the businesses that produce and sell them understand the delicate balance between too much technology and not to lose sight that the one salient fact any dog owner knows and wants, just return my furry family member home safely

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Phone GPS Tracking Systems for Your Pet - Are They a Good Idea?

Each year, almost half of the animals entering animal shelters around the country are strays or lost pets. Pet's can't tell anyone who their owner is and where they live so how do you find your beloved family member should you become separated?

There are about three different solutions to locating lost pets. One is the little metal or plastic tag that hangs from the pet's collar. The tag has the name of the pet, the home address and, maybe, a phone number of the owner. 

The microchip is another solution. They're inexpensive, passive implants that are injected under the pet's skin and can be scanned with a specialized wand when the missing pet is brought to a veterinarian. 

Another solution is a pet GPS tracking system. These GPS locators attach to your pet's collar and can remotely locate your pet at almost any time however; pet tracking devices are more expensive

than the microchip. Even so, there is a large populace of empty nesters who are filling those nests with pets, and young couples are raising pets before committing to the bigger responsibility of raising children and they are more focused on their four-legged family members then ever. Pet owners today are willing to spend or splurge when consumers in other venues are cutting back.

Besides being more expensive than microchips, tracking devices can come off with collars. Some tracking units are ineffective in areas where there isn't consistent cell phone or internet connection. If pet owners relocate, the new location will not be on the chip, resulting in loss of time and more stress trying to trace where the lost pet's family is currently living but the advantages of a GPS tracking system far outweigh the little tag and the microchip solutions. The American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery (AKC CAR) was developed to help lower the number of missing pets in the United States which is beneficial to society by reducing the number of strays and lost pets. In turn, this relieves the overcrowding of animal shelters and humane societies. Many hunters use some type of GPS tracking system to keep from losing their dogs in the field or woods. Tracking systems utilize 20 satellites or more to track the actual location of your pet but if you're in an area without good satellite connection, you may want to use GPS tracking systems in addition to other locators like a microchip.

Know what your needs are before you buy tracking equipment for protecting your pet. GPS locators can be monitored by handsets, cell phones, or computers and can be designed to work within a certain range so look for a dog tracking device with long battery life, and make sure the range is suitable for your area. Good GPS tracking systems will go through floors, walls or other objects that can reduce range. Some pet GPS models can give a history of your dog's movement over the last seven days and lets you create visual safety zones for your pet. Also, consider the weight of the dog tracker device and keep your pet's size in mind. Very small dogs may find wearing tracking systems uncomfortable, and may suffer neck or back injuries if forced to wear a heavy pet tracker unit for a long period of time.

GPS tracking systems can locate missing pets in all situations such as after a car accident, natural disaster or when they are lost while being shipped by plane. Other advantages to consider when deciding on a pet tracking system:

* A GPS tracking device can give the owner directions to a pet's current location.

* Pet can be tracked anywhere in the world with internet and/or mobile phone coverage.

* Unlike the microchip, a GPS tracking device is noninvasive.

* You don't have to wait for your pet to be found and scanned to be located.

With a pet phone GPS tracking system, you locate your pet with speed and accuracy in real time. It's proactive because you control your pet's location by establishing geographical areas where your pet is allowed to roam. The information of his location can be sent to you or whomever you choose. A phone tracking system will locate your pet the moment you suspect he is lost or stolen which increases the likelihood of getting him back quickly and safely.

Replace the worry and fear of searching for your pet with the confidence and ease of locating them quickly and safely with a pet phone GPS tracking system.

Source:https://ezinearticles.com/?Phone-GPS-Tracking-Systems-for-Your-Pet---Are-They-a-Good-Idea?&id=6904524