GPS Dog Collar: The Newest Way to Protect Your Pet

First there was the dog license to help you find your pet if someone had found them wandering from home. Then came the microchip, which does the same thing as a dog tag, but cannot be lost for it is imbedded underneath your pet's skin. Now, the newest way to keep Fido safe - the GPS collar.

The GPS (Global Positioning System) collar operates much like a GPS system for your vehicle, it will either help track your pet or find your pet. The collar does not weigh much more than a conventional collar which is about 200 to 300 grams, but they provide a lot more for your pet's protection. Embedded within the collar is a GPS modem as well as a receiver with software incorporated into the system which allows one to call a telephone number that is unique to the collar.

The collar itself looks much like any dog collar, but is also waterproof; they have no external antenna and have rechargeable batteries that can last from two to five days depending on the model that is used. Originally used by hunters to keep track of their dogs, there are now small versions for the house pet. An area called a "safe zone" can be programmed for the collar and once the pet passes through that zone, the collar can emit an ultrasonic sound that is disturbing (but safe) for your pet and will stop once the pet returns to their safe zone. Most collars are preprogrammed for 300 feet, but can be changed to shorter or longer distances, depending on your property and how far you will allow your pet to roam.

Prices for the collars can start at $200 but can go as high as $400 depending one the model that is chosen. There are basically two forms of GPS collars: (1) One that requires a person to call a number to have the location of the pet send to the cell phone; and (2) A collar that comes with a handheld device that is used to track your pet. The later of the two is used for hunting dogs more over as their handlers can keep track of them while out where there is no signal.

The basic performance of a GPS dog collar works along the following bases depending on the collar that you have:

(1) Each collar has a specific telephone number that is unique to that collar. One only calls the number and the GPS locator that is within the collar will send you its location within a few yards to your cell phone via text.

(2) The collar can actively track your pet. If the pet moves from the established safe zone, the collar via its GPS system will send an alert to a cell phone with your pet's coordinates.

(3) One can log onto the collar's company website and via that website can track the pet twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

For some models, you have to activate with the collar's company in order to track your pet. If this is the case, you will speak with a company representative if your pet is lost or moves away from the safe zone. It is always best to check with the company to see if the service is available in your area. Also, the company who sells the GPS collar (i.e. Petco, Petsmart) will also know if the collar is active in your area.

With technology the way it is today, no longer should there be "lost" posters hanging about. It should also be noted that though the product is labeled as a dog collar, the same collar albeit smaller can be used for cats.