TulsaPets Magazine November 2023

November / December 2023 • TulsaPets 19 Trackers Aid Pet Safety and Health by Anne Rener T oad, a tabby cat, goes out every night to meet up with fellow felines and do whatever night prowlers are apt to do. Each morning she returns, hungry and ready to lounge around the house all day. One morning, Toad did not come back, although she reappeared late that evening. For the next several months, she randomly took extended outings — until the time she disappeared for three days. Worried, her dad posted queries to local neighborhood websites. There were potential sightings, but no definitive proof. Then early on day five, carefree Toad sauntered into the house like a defiant teen who once again had broken curfew. That’s when the family attached a pet tracker to Toad’s collar and started to monitor her move- ments. Although it doesn’t bring her home regu- larly, at least the family can keep tabs on the tabby and check her safety. Pet Technology Interest in pet technology has grown in recent years, as has the spending for pet products in gen- eral, according to a MarketWatch Guide published on September 11, 2023. Pet technology includes trackers, smart cameras, and automatic feeders that offer convenience and other features that many pet parents appreciate. Pet trackers come in the form of wearables — specially designed collars, attachable tags, or harnesses. The devices monitor location and/or activity using the Global Positioning System (GPS), Bluetooth, or radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. Trackers are available with varied capabilities to support pet parents’ needs: • Location monitoring: Pet trackers provide peace of mind if your furry friend goes missing. Whether you have an escape artist who slips through your fence or an adventurer who wan- ders too far while on your trail walk, a GPS-en- abled tracker can provide real-time monitoring of your pet’s location. • Activity monitoring: Say you’re working to improve your dog’s fitness. Wearables can track Many pet parents find that a tracker —whether a specially designed collar or a tag that attaches to an existing collar — can provide peace of mind when it comes to the safety and well-being of a dog or cat. Photo by Deni’s Fotografia, courtesy of Pexels. WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY