GPS is a technology that most of us have come to known through things like SatNavs and map systems on our phones. However, it also has many other applications. One of these is in tracking pets. Millions of lost pets end up in shelters every year. If you have ever had your pet go missing then you know how hard it can be to track it down again. GPS systems can help put a stop to this, giving the ability to track your pet’s precise location and return it safely home.
GPS tracking devices are small enough that they can be attached to a pet’s collar. This means that if your pet goes missing then you can simply connect to the GPS signal being broadcast and view its location.
There are two types of GPS technology in play for tracking your pets. One uses mobile phone signals and the other radio transmissions. The former is a good bet for those who live in cities or built up areas with a reliable mobile phone signal. Basically, wherever your pet goes you will be able to find it, as long as it can receive a mobile signal. The radio transmitters are more useful for when you are in a remote area, like if you have gone walking in the countryside. However, the limitation to these devices is that the range is usually around 10 miles at most. For the majority of consumers a GPS device using mobile signals will be the best choice.
There are a variety of companies out there that provide the GPS service for tracking your pets. Some of these will offer collars that combine tracking technologies in order to give you the best chance of finding out where your pet is. These products often send the data to your smartphone, meaning that you can go outside and track down your pet in real time.
It is worth noting that getting your pet chipped is not the same as GPS. If your pet has a chip then that means it can be identified only if is scanned. This is not totally reliable as your pet being handed in to a vet is not a certainty. If your pet has a GPS tracking device on it then it means you will be able to find its location as soon as you notice it has gone missing.
There are a few downsides to these GPS collars. One of them is that you have to remember to charge the collar up so that it has power to transmit the signals. If your pet is close to the transmitter then the charge will run out slowly. Depending on how much it likes to roam, the average GPS collar will last for up to a month without charge at the very most. Another downside is that these collars can be quite expensive. However, that has to be weighed up with how much you value your pet.
Equipping your pet with a GPS collar gives you an extra security. If the pet goes missing then you will be able to track its location and bring it home. If your pet is important then these collars should be explored.