Pet Tracking DevicesWritten by Mariangie Gonzalez
It was Saturday morning of August 20, 2004 and my two kids saying that they couldn’t find our cat Nala anywhere waked me up. I didn’t pay much attention, because it was common for her to find a new hiding spot and sleep there for hours. Hours later we realized she was really missing and we started to search for her. We looked all over house, inside closets, behind furniture, and then we got outside and looked on trees, in playground, around pool, everywhere! We placed flyers around neighborhood, she was never found. Now I ask myself, how many of us have gone through that experience and think we don’t have an alternative to those flyers? Well, we do! Pet Tracking Devices, thanks to miniaturization of GPS receivers and mobile phone modems even they can carry devices that allow them to be tracked by owner. There is not yet a great choice of devices, but this probably will change rather fast and even though all actual (August 2004) existing devices are too heavy for domestic cats. It is believed that 2005 will bring several solutions for this problem. But if you own a dog, this may be a solution. GPS Pet Tracking devices consist of a GPS receiver and a GSM modem. In some of models data, sent to secure website via a GSM network, can be accessed by owner directly or through a call center. With other devices you simply call telephone number of GPS-GSM dog collar with your mobile phone. The GPS receiver in collar calculates position of dog and sends co-ordinates immediately in a SMS text to your mobile phone. Other models work as a wireless, electronic pager device that easily and remotely monitors location of pets via Internet anywhere in North America. The locations can be reported to email, pager, cell phone (as text message) and website.
| | Pet SafetyWritten by Lee Dobbins
Your home might be "kid-proof" but how does it measure up when it comes to safety for your pet? Do you know all hazards your pet is exposed to? How about what plants are poisonous and what foods should be avoided? Caring for your pet is more than just making sure he has enough food, water and gets appropriate veterinary care, it also means providing a pet safe environment so that your furry, feathered or scaly friend can stay safe and healthy. Unfortunately, there are many hazards your pet is exposed to each day that could put them in danger. Being aware of them so that you can keep your pet out of harms way is responsibility of every pet owner. Sometimes your guests can be biggest hazard to your pet. If you have indoor pets, your quests may not realize this and open doors or windows around them that could allow them to “escape” to great outdoors. Well meaning dinner guests and party go-ers could overfeed your pet and cause him to become ill. Imagine if you had 20 guests and each one fed "treats" to your pet! To insure pet safety when you have guests try keeping pet in a crate or another room that quests will not be allowed into. This may actually be more comfortable for your pet too as it may make him nervous to have so many people around if he is not used to it. Instruct your guests not to let animals outside if they should get into main house. Make sure your pet wears tags so he can be identified and return should he get out by mistake. The holidays should be enjoyed by both you and your pets, so keep pet safety in mind when decorating and celebrating. Remember that small objects can cause an intestinal blockage if eaten so be sure to remove all tinsel, Easter grass, confetti, small toys and wrapping paper. Don’t leave candles unattended with pets near. Pet costumes can be cute, but make sure there are no lose strings that could choke your pet or that he can get his limbs caught in. It is best to not leave your pet unattended when you have him dressed up. Make sure electrical cords are kept away for pets especially puppies. They can chew through cord and get burned or even electrocuted. After decorating for a holiday, make sure to observe your pet around new decorations for several hours to see if they develop any unsafe habits around certain items - you may need to remove or rethink your decorating if it looks like there could be a hazard. I had a ferret that liked to jump into tree and grab all shiny ornaments so I stopped decorating bottom of tree to prevent this as I was afraid glass would break and injure her!
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