The Daily Dish from WebVet

GPS locator for dogs: Finding Fido faster

My greatest fear in life is that somehow, some way, I will lose the love of my life -- my dog.   Maybe it’s because two days after I adopted him he pushed open the screen door in my kitchen and went off on a little doggy adventure.  Yes, I finally found him, but I can honestly say I will never, ever forget the sick feeling in my gut when I realized he was missing. 

 

Well, 11 years ago they didn’t have GPS for cars, lone enough for pets.  But, fast forward to 2009 and you’ll learn how two amazing organizations, Positioning Animals Worldwide (PAW) and American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery (AKC CAR), have joined forces to make sure that if your pet does go missing, you have the best possible chance of finding him, both safely and quickly.  The product is called Spotlight GPS Pet Locator and it’s pretty phenomenal.  And I can say that because I’ve seen it in action. 

 

Spotlight is a small GPS tracking system that attaches to your dog’s collar and “senses” when your dog has left what they call a SafeSpot.  A SafeSpot has clearly defined boundaries, configured by the pet owner, and if your pet strays beyond these boundaries, the device will alert you via text message, email or both.  You will also receive your dog’s real-time location with detailed directions on how to reach him.  And while you’re tracking your dog, so is the AKC CAR 24/7 recovery team.  So if for some reason you lose a signal or can’t figure out the location of your pet, they will be right there directing you the entire time. 

 

The other really cool thing about this product is that if a Good Samaritan finds your dog, the collar instructs them to push a “rescue” button on the device that will notify both the owner and AKC CAR.  Some of the unique features of the Spotlight GPS Locator include: 

 

• Simple setup

• Small and lightweight:  2.5 oz, water-resistant

• Removable, rechargeable battery

• Bright LED beacon visible up to 100 yards away

• Rescue button

• AKC CAR collar tag identification

• AKC CAR 24/7 service

 

While the SpotLight GPS Locator is a great addition to traditional collar tags and microchipping, keep in mind that the best thing you can do for you dog is to be a responsible and loving pet parent. 

 

To learn more about reuniting lost dogs with their owners, click here. 

Homeward bound: Why micro-chipping your dog is so important!

Who wouldn't love that sweet face?   Well, apparently the person who had been "caring" for Muffy the past nine years in Melbourne, Australia.  No, it wasn't Muffy's rightful owners, the Lampards of Brisbane; rather, it was someone who had either found or stolen Muffy back in 2000.  Someone who clearly has no business owning a dog. 

Here's how the story goes . . .

The Lampards received a call from an RSPCA inspector who had found Muffy --  flea-bitten, matted and emaciated -- in a filthy back yard after receiving an anonymous animal-cruelty tip (God love the person who made that call).  You may be wondering right now just how on earth the inspector found out this skinny little dog really belonged to the Lampards. 

Muffy was micro-chipped!

Even with that, a lot can change in nine years, including the owner's information, which in this case was totally out of date.  Some how, some way, the RSPCA was able to track down the Lampards and then made arrangements for Muffy to be flown home -- in style, of course -- to Brisbane. 

Now Muffy and the Lampards -- including their daughter Chloe who was only eight when her beloved pooch went missing -- are happily reunited.  While this is wonderful for the Lampard family; it's even more wonderful for Muffy. 

So here's the lesson learned.  If you want to do everything possible to ensure the safe return of your pet should it go missing, make sure you have them micro-chipped.  It may very well be the most loving thing you can do for your pet . . . and your family!

To learn how to get your pet micro-chipped visit AKC CAR (Companion Animal Recovery) at http://www.akccar.org/

Pet safety: Ten tips for the Fourth of July holiday

With Fourth of July festivities just around the corner, it's important that we all take a few minutes to remind ourselves that's what good for the person isn't necessarily what's good for the pooch.  While we might like parades, fireworks and the excitment that comes with them; our pets may have a different perspective on this.

One of our WebVet writers submitted a great article on how to keep your pet safe and calm this holiday weekend and I certainly thought it worth sharing his top 10 tips.  These tips could save your pet from a great deal of anxiety and you from potential heartache.  So heads up everyone!

• Fireworks and pets don’t mix. Resist the temptation to take your dog to a fireworks display. Even a dog that is normally easygoing can get spooked by the noise and run off in fear.

• If possible, keep your dog indoors during the festivities, preferably in a quiet, sheltered room with covered windows or in a basement.

• Don’t leave your pet home alone if you can avoid it. Dogs can become destructive when frightened by loud noises and have been known to jump through screens and chew through leashes. If you do go out, leave the TV, radio, or fan on to help mask the sounds of fireworks.

• Make sure that your pet is wearing a properly fitting collar with complete and accurate identification information -- including a rabies tag -- so that it can be identified and returned to you if it should run off. If you have a cat, make sure it is wearing a stretch or safety collar.

• Don’t leave your pet unattended outside, even in a fenced area or on a leash. Terrified pets may jump fences or become dangerously entangled in their leashes, occasionally to the point of strangulation.

• If you have not already done so, consider microchipping your pet. It’s a fast, safe, and generally painless procedure. Most animal shelters are now equipped with microchip readers and routinely scan strays brought to their facilities.

• If your dog is going to be spending time out of doors in the heat, make sure to keep fresh drinking water always available to avoid dehydration and heat stroke.

• Swimming is a great hot weather activity that many -- but not all -- dogs enjoy. Take some time to teach your dog how to swim; be sure always to practice good water safety.  Consider a personal floatation device for pets who are not great swimmers but who enjoy going in the water.

• Never leave your pet in the car. The interior of a car can become dangerously hot very quickly. Leaving windows partially opened will not provide adequate ventilation, but will increase the risk that you will fall victim to pet thieves.

• If your pet tends to be frightened by thunder or other loud noises, talk to your veterinarian before the holiday about medication to alleviate anxiety.

We wish you all a very happy, healthy and safe Fourth of July!!