Like the WIRED Gear Team, Takiguchi recommends the Fi Smart Collar for its sleek looks, good battery life (about three months of charging), and reliable cellular.
If you like to take your furry friend for long walks in the woods without a strong cell phone signal, or live in an area with poor service, you might want to consider the cell-free Findster Duo network that can also track your pet for up to three miles .
Jenn Jones, behavior expert, dog trainer and founder of Your Dog Advisor, is a fan of Whistle Go Explore.
“I started using a GPS tracker when my dog Astro was chasing a squirrel while we were hiking. I couldn’t find Astro for several minutes and made sure to have a solid solution in the future should this happen again ,”she says. “Being able to locate my dog using this technique is very valuable.”
A GPS tracker can also help you understand your pet’s daily habits and needs, says Paola Cuevas, a veterinarian and animal behavior expert who recommends Tractive.
“Trackers are great for finding cats that like to hide, and can also help you understand the areas your cat visits and how they move,” she says.
“This allows you to detect if there is a problem. For example, if your cat is constantly moving around and you find them stationary, you’ll know to check if they need help.”
bluetooth tracker
GPS pet trackers have some disadvantages: they can be expensive, and some companies require you to buy a subscription plan. If that doesn’t fit your budget, a Bluetooth tracker is a good (if more limited) alternative.
Pawscout helps track your pet’s location and engages the pet lover community. Submit a lost pet report using its app, and Pawscouters within a five-mile radius will be alerted to help you find your four-legged friend. If someone scans their Pawscout tag, you’ll be notified and able to get in touch. Pawscout is affordable, requires no monthly fee, and has a battery that lasts up to six months. However, its tracking capability is only 300 feet.
Again, for Apple users, AirTag has the benefit of having a huge network that can help you find your lost pet (and it’s wallet-friendly). While Apple hasn’t officially endorsed them for this purpose, Airtags are great at finding your pet’s exact location and providing directions to where they are — provided they’re within 30 feet of you.
If they go further, switching to Lost Mode will allow you to receive updates about their whereabouts when the Airtag is connected to another iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You can also let someone get your contact information by tapping the device with their phone. Of course, if you’re not an Apple guy, this isn’t for you, and it works better if you live in a more densely populated area.
Useful Apps and Websites
As with many things, the internet and smartphone apps remain powerful resources for lost pets.
In addition to using Facebook (many local communities have “lost pet” pages), Twitter and other social media to spread the word, Nextdoor also has a dedicated pet directory. By sharing your pet’s photos and important information with your neighbors, they will get to know them and be better able to ask for help when they need it.
