dog gps tracking

First a definition:

gps tracker - provides real-time, remote, tracking of the sensor's position, using e.g. cellphone, radio, or satellite networks

Many people assume all GPSes work like this, but of course they don't.  A GPS just listens for sateliite signals, it's a passive receiver.  Unless you add a cell, radio, or satellite transmitter, it has no way of communicating its location remotely.

There are true trackers available, most of them are for vehicle tracking.  However, since my friends' dog was missing last night (now found), I was motivated this morning to check out the state of dog gps trackers.  Unfortunately the necessary electronics and presumably still fairly small market have resulted in devices that are still quite bulky on the dog collar, and expensive.

Also there are two markets, consumer tracking, and specialised tracking for hunting dogs.  I won't look at the latter, other than to mention the cleverly-named Garmin Astro, which is a hunting dog tracker, with a large tracking module with a big antenna, it mounts using a harness on the dog's back.

There are a few consumer devices.  I had a look around and found a nice comparison spreadsheet listing a few (with a bit of a bias to the Roameo) at preferredpetproducts.com  The models they list are:

* the Roameo, which appears to use a radio to transmit the collar position and then compares it with your local position.  According to the preferredpetproducts page about it, "Satellite service in Canada will not be available for this product until March, 2008", whatever that means.  Comes with your choice of (one of) small, medium, or large collars

* the Zoombak (the site says it uses Assisted GPS, A-GPS).  It needs to be activated (with monthly fee) on the t-mobile cell network and is only available in the US.

* the PetSafe GPS Locator (also uses A-GPS).  USA only.  Requires activation (with monthly fee).

* the Global Pet Finder  Uses cell network, requires activation (with monthly fee).  Currently not so global, according to their FAQ

GlobalPetFinder currently works only in the USA. Our second generation model is expected to be operational in international locations and will be released in the latter part of 2008.

Looks like it has nice features but the collar unit looks pretty bulky.

It's worth noting that the Global Pet Finder gets appallingly bad reviews on Amazon.com

You might also look at adapting a vehicle tracking or child tracking GPS/cellphone for dog use, since there's a bigger market the units may be a bit smaller, with cheaper service plans and device purchase price.  For example Verizon has a "Family Locator" service called Chaperone, where I guess you would basically give your dog a cellphone (the dog is a family member, after all :)

Comments

[helpingpets]

This is all great information, but I think that it is important to make sure that we follow the standards of microchipping and properly registering our pets. When a pet goes missing or even lost it is so important that we proactively react to the situation. Taking steps to protect your pet prior to having this scary and overwhelming incident happen. These steps include always keeping a collar on your pet with I.D Tags. Having your pet micro-chipped and registering them properly. Never leaving them outside unattended, this could lead to their escape as well as giving the opportunity for someone to steal your pet.

Making sure that you’re pet(s) are registered properly is vital to helping them return home. Prevention and preparation is essential to keeping your family together.

[David Mannock]

This is frustrating to research if you are in Canada, while the Garmin Astro 220/dc30 collar are the best, you cannot officially get them here yet. Roameo is the same (frequency problem there). Others are not covered by Canadian satellites yet. Garmin will work, but look for CDN$700 prices. For me the temporary solution for my cat is a USB/bluetooth data logger. In another 12 months it will be possible to buy bluetooth trackers with a range over 10 kilometers (Eruzio & Air cable). The present generation passive forms may be detectable over a 30-50 metre distance if you have a USB/BT dongle with an aerial. Presently this is your only pet tracking option. The data logger will at least let you see where the pet has been. Mine hops a ride (6 X in 3 months) with an elderly neighbour to the local rest home. Grrr!

[Rosa]

I have been waiting for the Roameo GPS tracking units for more than six months and they are still back ordered. Has anybody had good luck actually getting and using any of these devices?