|
Categories - Copywriting - Shopping - Free Online Business Help - Telecommunications
Services
Articles: Pets - GPS for
Pets
By Anne
King
If you have a dog
or cat that is an escape artist with cross-country travel on its
mind, you might want to consider a GPS pet--tracking device. The
same technology that enables rangers to follow tagged animals will
allow an owner track straying or lost pets. You can choose either a
collar design or a backpack type that works with a
harness.
Before you rush out to buy a GPS pet--tracking device
you need to consider a few things. Firstly, in addition to the
system having a GPS receiver, a transmitter is required so the
animal's location can be reported. This usually means a service
provider is needed.
Some pet--tracker systems are used with GSM (Global
System for Mobile communication) that uses your GSM mobile phone and
a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card for tracking. Note the SIM
card provider needs to have a service in the area where you'll be
using the device.
There are various ways of accessing the information
that your GPS receives. These include via home phone, Internet, and
software installed on your computer. Phone access is not recommended
and installed software limits your access to information. Internet
access to your GPS data is the recommended way to go. You just log
on, enter your password and your pet is
located.
Pet finding software allows you to define your pet's
boundaries and upload them to your computer. If your pet goes beyond
its boundaries then an alarm will sound and you can quickly locate
where the animal has gone. If you are traveling with your pet beyond
its boundaries you can disable the alarm, or if you are visiting
another area you can upload new boundaries. Most systems allow you
have more than one area entered.
All GPS units vary in sophistication as does the
pet--tracking GPS. You can choose a unit that gives location and
nothing else, or you can purchase a device that will give you
location and the information of how to get there, including
reference points along the way. As in any product, what you spend
will define the abilities of your system. If your animal is a water
lover make sure that the unit is
waterproof.
There is a difference between dog tracker collars and
GPS pet--tracking devices. The former are usually limited in range
to about half a mile and are ineffective if your animal has been
stolen and removed from the area. Beacon devices can only be seen
within the range of the light.
A GPS Pet-tracking device that is not being worn is
useless. If you invest the money, make sure that your pet wears
his/hers all the time. Yes, animal snatchers will sometimes remove
collars, but a surprising number don't think about doing so.
Combined with micro chipping and registration, pet--tracking GPS
devices will go a long way to ensure that your lost pet will be
located.
Anne King is a sports and recreation writer in Boise,
Idaho. For more GPS tracking
information
|