Technology Makes It Easier To Track Down Missing Pets
BOSTON (CBS) - When Andi Sims' beloved golden lab, Crimson, found a way through the electric fence, she was gone for days. "It is such a hopeless and helpless feeling," she said.
After offering a reward and checking local shelters, Andi took her search to social media. "I posted it on Facebook. I posted it on Craigslist. I posted that we lost our dog on Twitter," She said. Her strategy paid off. A friend saw Andi's post and remembered she had seen another post about a dog that was found. Soon after, Andi and Crimson were reunited.
According to Petfinder.com, more than two million pets disappeared last year and less than ten percent ever make their way home. Stolen pets are also a growing problem. The American Kennel Club says they tracked 432 stolen pets last year, a 70% increase from 2010.
There are a number of new devices that will help pet owners track down their missing pets. The Tagg GPS attaches to your pet's collar. If your dog or cat wanders from a certain area, you'll get a text or email to your phone and you'll see exactly where your pet is at that moment. There is also a collar that uses a QR code to store information about your dog or cat. Anyone will a smart phone can read the code and contact the owner.
The American Kennel Club still prefers using a micro-chip which is embedded under the animal's skin with a syringe. Any vet can scan the dog with a special device to retrieve the information from the microchip.
