Pet collars have come a long way; now you can find anything from cute pet collars to the technologically advanced GPS pet collar. While many pet tracking systems use GPS they also use cell phones or radio waves to provide better service in a wider variety of areas for greater pet safety.
How GPS Pet Tracking Devices Work
Many of us were excited by the idea of having a GPS unit for our car, but as technology progresses we are able to find more and more uses for it. GPS pet tracking devices use the same satellites as other GPS devices to transmit information that can help us find a lost pet.
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It works with a network of satellites that are orbiting around the earth broadcasting signals. GPS devices receive these signals which can provide detailed information about things like the whereabouts of your pet. Some of these GPS pet devices can even tell you where your pet has been, allowing you to see the path he has taken. This can be great to determine his favorite places to go when he leaves your yard.
These pet tracking devices are easily attached to the collar, or sometimes the unit comes as its own GPS tracking collar. With some of these systems you can even create safe spots or boundaries. When your pet leaves these safe areas you will receive a message letting you know. These pet tracking devices usually allow you to receive messages or track your pet through the internet or mobile phone.
You will often see a pet tracking device marketed as a dog GPS or a GPS dog collar because they are better suited to medium or large pets, but there are a couple that are specifically made smaller and lighter to work with smaller pets, like cats and even kittens. But these generally don’t use the same technology as the typical dog GPS collar, at least not yet.
The Most Popular Pet GPS Devices
Depending on your needs and your budget here are some of the best reviewed pet tracking devices:
Garmin Astro GPS Dog Tracking System – This system is bigger and bulkier so it primarily meant for dogs. The Garmin GPS for dogs is one of the higher end models available, but you get more than a simple dog tracking collar with this purchase. The Garmin Dog GPS includes a GPS dog collar and a handheld receiver. The dog GPS on the collar can transmit your dog’s location to the hand held device every 5 minutes showing your dog’s current location as well where he has been.
Not only does the Garmin Astro work as a dog GPS but the full-featured handheld device has the same features as Garmin’s other outdoor handheld devices like an SD slot for maps, celestial information and the option for city street maps.
Zoombak Advanced GPS Pet Locator – On the other end of the spectrum is the Zoombak GPS Pet Locator. This is an affordable but very popular option. The Zoombak pet locator easily attaches to your pet’s collar. It provides on demand real-time location of your pet 24/7. You can find his location through their website, your cell phone or by calling their customer care line which also offers service 24/7.
With the Zoombak Pet GPS you can customize up to 10 zones. You will then be notified when your pet enters or leaves one of these zones. This pet tracking device will also provide a history of your pet’s locations. This pet tracking device requires a monthly service plan.
Loc8tor Wireless Pet Locator – While the Loc8tor wireless pet locator isn’t really a pet GPS device it is an effective pet locator. This is an affordable pet locator that can be used to help find cats, dogs and even other items like keys.
This pet locator has two parts, the mini homing device that can easily be put on cute cat collars and the handheld locator. The locator is used to specifically guide you to your lost or hiding pet. The alert mode on the locator can be used to let you know when your dog or cat has crossed a set boundary.
Unlike regular GPS collars the Loc8tor doesn’t require a monthly subscription to a service, but if your pet is out of range it won’t work.
Using a GPS pet collar is a good way to put your mind at ease, especially if your furry friend is a good escape artist, or if you live on a large property. It is still a good idea to use a pet id tag or pet microchip too. It’s always better to be safe when it comes to your best friend.
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