Pet Tracking
Cats are curious, dogs are playful. And you quickly lose sight of them. With a pet tracker, you could locate them again. But how reliable are these devices?
Many dog owners like to let Bello and Co. off the leash in the forest and park. Most cats are naturally free-roaming and are therefore out of control. No wonder that around 68,000 cats and around 38,500 dogs were reported missing at the animal welfare organization Tasso alone in 2018. Most of the animals can be found relatively quickly. Nevertheless, every year tens of thousands of runaway animals end up in the home, while masters and mistresses have grief and worries.
The sense of tracking
Dogs running free can pose a hazard to wildlife, walkers, and road traffic. Cats get along much better in public spaces. However, they are so curious that they can rummage in open sheds, basements, and garages and be accidentally locked up. After seven days at the latest without water or food, the animals starve to death. Owners should be able to find their pet quickly via tracking.
Sensible preparatory work: animal chip
Before even thinking about tracking, it is generally advisable to have every dog and cat that will be outdoors chipped by the vet. The animal is injected with a metal chip about the size of a grain of rice placed under the skin. The chip contains a 15-digit, worldwide unique identification number. It is only activated when it is read by a reader and allows your pet to be clearly identified. Such a chip is compulsory for trips abroad to the EU. The costs are up to 50 euros. Alternatively, a tattoo is also possible, which is more stressful for the animal because of the necessary anesthesia. Such a chip can be used to prove that it is your own animal, for example in the case of stolen or escaped valuable breeds or
GPS tracking
Dog and cat get a collar with a radio transmitter including a built-in SIM card. The associated app can now be used to track where the animal is. Depending on the device and equipment, the movement of the animal can be followed in real time. Alternatively, this information is sent at certain time intervals. In addition, movement profiles of the last hours, days and weeks can be displayed and even the calorie consumption of the animal can be approximately determined from them. The users can define virtual fences or areas and are informed when the animal crosses these areas. In addition, some devices offer warning tones that are activated on the collar at precisely such moments. Well-trained animals should notice that they are now venturing too far away. At least in theory it should work. Sounds and LED lights on the collar, which owners can activate via the app, are much more practical. That helps with searching at night.
Advantages of GPS tracking: All functions can be used and managed directly on the mobile phone. Depending on the offer, the station “only” works in Germany and neighboring countries or worldwide. You get data in real time.
Disadvantages of GPS tracking: In order to work, the trackers need a good cellular network. Some of the trackers cannot be located in the mountains, in the forest or in deep cellars. The devices are relatively heavy at up to 50 grams, and the batteries usually only have a running time of two to five days.
The devices cost between 30 and 300 euros. A subscription usually has to be taken out for radio transmission. This also costs from eight euros a month and up to 50 euros a year. The more expensive the device and the longer the run-time, the cheaper it is usually. At Wadav.com you will find shops with pet discount coupons.
Tracker
Alternatively, an animal can also be located using a tracking device. The transmitter is attached to your pet’s collar and regularly sends out radio waves. The receiving device remains with the owner. The transmitter is now aimed at with a simple radio direction finding. Most search devices use a beep and LED display to indicate in which direction the animal is moving and whether you are getting closer.
Advantages of the tracking device: Some of the devices are smaller than a matchbox and, at up to eight grams including the battery, are very light. Therefore, they are well suited for small dogs and cats. Theoretically and according to many manufacturers, the batteries last up to a month or longer. You do not need a radio network and the direction finders should work better than GPS trackers even in closed rooms and through walls.
Disadvantages of the direction finder transmitter: The range is a maximum of 500 meters, often it is significantly less. The search is difficult due to missing map displays or exact location information. It can only be directed towards stronger or weaker signals.
The devices cost from 30 euros, there are no additional costs for subscriptions.
What to look for when buying?
The tracker should be robust and waterproof and – according to the animal’s habits – have a sufficient range of the signals. The lighter and more compact the device, the better. However, weight is often at the expense of a long-lasting battery. Devices with an SOS button offer finders the opportunity to contact the owner immediately. When the button is pressed, it receives an SMS with coordinates about the location. In addition, up to three saved numbers can be called. In this way, what is happening to the animal can be heard live. Optical and acoustic warning signals are also very useful. According to the animal welfare organization Tasso, it is very important that all cat collars used have an emergency release function. For example, if the animal gets stuck on a fence.
More ways to find the animal
Animal welfare organizations, such as the donation-financed Tasso eV, offer the option of registering animals in the databases there and using the associated app for lost animals. This informs the community of registered dog and cat owners about missing animals and can help with their searches. The prerequisite for registration in such databases is the presence of an identification chip in the animal.
- Yamuna Gibson is the blog author and content manager of the start-up company Wadav. She has a passion for helping people in all aspects of living and loving.
