Wearables are all the rage, with people using on-body devices such as smart watches to monitor everything from the number of steps they take in a day to their heart rate, stress level, blood pressure, hours slept, and a lot more, depending on how much one is willing to fork out. If this is what has humans hooked, how can their best friend be left behind?
Pawfit, a division of the U.K.-based tracking innovations company Latsen Technology Ltd, has introduced a new pet location and activity tracker in the American market, the division said in a press release. The device, Pawfit 3, can be fitted on the pet’s collar, harness or leash, is waterproof up to a depth of 3m for up to 30 minutes, and comes with LTE (4G) technology, smart GPS, and a battery life of up to six days with regular use.
The primary idea behind the device is for pet owners to be able to monitor their pets and track them at all times. Most dogs are active creatures and love their daily trips outdoors, when they get to explore their surroundings. But this innocent, fun activity can sometimes result in a nightmare if the pet gets lost.
The release quoted Fan Wu, Latsen’s chief executive officer, saying, “Pet safety is a real concern. I know firsthand what it feels like to lose a beloved pet. It was that moment in my life that inspired me to use my technology education and expertise to develop a product that would help prevent this from happening to other pet owners.” Latsen Technology describes itself as a leader in using advanced technology to design smart, high-performance tracking devices to improve lives.
Then there are those, including the rich, working singles, and the status-conscious, who are unable or unwilling to devote time to their pets. Even in Indian cities, a growing number of dog owners pay for services such as pet-walking as their schedules preclude them from taking their pets out at regular intervals. A tracking device helps the owner to know, for instance, whether her pet has actually walked or was simply lingering in a corner while the walker was gossiping with friends or whispering sweet nothings to someone on the phone. The device is also useful if the pet is taken out for a walk by a child.
Akshay Shah, a senior veterinarian at AcuVet Clinic in Dadar, Bombay, said some of his clients use such devices. “They use AppleTag,” he said. “It helps owners to keep track of their pets. There are a few that run away. One such dog ran away and came to our clinic. That’s how the owners could find him. That’s why such trackers matter.”
A spokesperson for Pawfit, which describes itself as “pet tracking specialists”, said the latest device is not available in India at the moment but would let The Snout know when that changes.
Noorulain Sayed
Noorulain Sayed is a journalist who is passionate about writing, animals, stars, and everything cosmic and magical in between. While there are no words that can fully describe her zest, this couplet by Rumi comes closest: Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.
