Global Pet Finder: GPS pet collar

We see a lot of pet gadgets come across our desk and most of the time all we can do is shake our heads and ask 'when does the pet-love just go too far?' Pet owners have been chipping their pets for years so that they can locate runaway Rovers turning tricks in the next town, but concerned animal lovers say that the chipping system is outdated and the domestic chips are incompatible with international standards so you're screwed if you lose kitty on a trip abroad. That's why the company GPS Tracks created the Global Pet Finder, which is a GPS collar that automatically sends escape alerts to the pet owner's cellphone when it's left a designated area, like your backward. We're hoping the next series gets a sleeping dart function, so when poochy is running all over the place you can just press # on your cellphone and send him into a nice long nap.    

[Marc Nathan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

The proper term for this kind of service is "geo-fencing" as I've been involved with several GPS and telematics companies. I've had two bulldogs taken from me in the last three years, and even though one was chipped, I still haven't been able to find her. I would buy this system immediately if I knew that the unit was small enough for my new bullys to wear comfortably and that battery management wasn't an issue. Also, tracking software whether it's on a phone or your PC is the weakest link - not the hardware. It doesn't hurt that they use a bulldog for their display dog either - but I don't think that this will weigh heavily on anyone else.

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

This will be great for little dogs like Yorkies and Chihuahuas and the like. Just wonder how big the transmitter is and if the battery will last a long time. That always seems to be the problem, not having juice when you need it!

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=416

[sally dwaileebe @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

My dog, part coyote, K9 Therapist, ran away from my dog sitters/friends home 1 week ago. I live in Nevada and have mountains everywhere. I enlisted a Pet Physic and many friends and family, plus my own spiritual connections to find her and bring her home.

Why is there not a GPS small system available for dogs, cats, horses etc? Have you visited a animal pound for lost pets lately?

Is there a company out there that needs only funding to get it done?

This is a no-brainer....

[steven klein @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

Just to inform you we are coming to market with a GPS pet locater that we are coming to market with in march.
it is a non invasive device that slides on your collare and you can locate your pet at anytime, and be alerted when your pet breaks its boundry.

[Shari Thomason @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

I would jump on this in a heartbeat. But my dogs often lose their collars - I've replaced wireless fence collars five times at $150 each over three years. I'm afraid this would just be another costly collar they would lose.

[Neal Francino @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

I agree with the comments located on your site. I have seen Geo-fencing software which alerts your cell phone once the devise is outside of its boundary. Once alerted you can pinpoint and locate on any computer via a common web site. For me the only issue is size. I have two cats and unfortunately although close, its size is just a little too big. Their needs to be a more efficient battery (sized down). If this were the case you could even sew into children�s clothing.
Size it down and you have sold two more. I have been looking at this over the last year and it also appears the price is going up rather than down.

[Rick Naylor @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

We cover a national area with our product, and wonder if you would be interested in having us represent your GPS GSM Pet Tracking product in the western states?
Respectfully

Rick Naylor

[Michelle @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

This is great in the case of a wandering dog. I have a husky that is the ideal candidate. But I was hoping for something a bit more, let's say stealthy. Anyone with half a brain that chooses to steal a dog, which is a big problem in my area, would just throw it out the window. Any known plans for something smaller and less obvious?

[Jim Morrison @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

I bought the GPS Tracks Global Pet Finder three months ago. I would never buy from them again. This was my experience: 1. They took two months to send the product, due to a "software update." 2. The device was poorly constructed a. gaps in the case which could easily allow water to destroy the circuits, b. loose antennae, c. a flimsy, very cheap, light plastic "case" barely held the unit, which could have easily caused the tracking unit to fall out to the ground, as the Pet gets away, rendering the entire concept useless. (Who wants to locate a lost device, with their beloved Pet long gone??) 3. After returning the defective unit to the company, they actually refused to refund the $15.00 shipping.

The company seemed disinterested in my comments and input that would have enabled them to offer a better product. Great idea -- wrong company!

[Mark Campbell @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

I would agree, the Global Pet Finder product is a bit flimsy, but works well for me. I have even fastened it to my yorkie using his backpack to support it. Works great.. and he can roam free!

[Mark Campbell @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

I would agree, the Global Pet Finder product is a bit flimsy, but works well for me. I have even fastened it to my yorkie using his backpack to support it. Works great.. and he can roam free!