SpotLight Device Tracks Runaway Dogs

by Kirsten Taylor (Subscribe to Kirsten Taylor's posts): Jul 27th 2009 @ 11:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Product Reviews

The SpotLight tracking devices attaches to your dog's collar. Photo: Corey Jenkins Photography, Courtesy of PAW.

Is your dog a hairy Houdini? This new product which tracks runaway mutts might be your best counter defense.

The SpotLight GPS pet locator, which attaches to your dog's collar, tracks your pup's whereabouts, alerting you if your escape artist travels beyond a pre-programmed safe zone. The device is made by Positioning Animals Worldwide, Inc. (PAW) in partnership with the American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery program (AKC CAR).

After you activate the device, you log on to the company's website to designate "SafeSpots." You can pick as many as you want -- your home, the local dog park, your vacation cabin -- and whenever your dog travels outside of these SafeSpots, you'll receive an email or text message alerting you that your pooch is on the run.

SpotLight's monthly service features online maps which show exactly where your pup is hanging out, both inside and outside his SafeSpots. If you need extra help locating your little runaway, you can contact the AKC CAR call center, which is staffed 24/7 with trained recovery experts. They'll provide turn-by-turn directions to lead you to your dog, and they can even remotely activate the device's LED beacon light to help illuminate your dog's location. The water-resistant device has built-in anti-theft protection, too, so if your dog is traveling more than 30 miles per hour, you'll get an alert letting you know he's probably not on foot.

"Who, me? Hop the fence? Never!" Photo: Corey Jenkins Photography, Courtesy of PAW.

According to PAW, 10 million pets went missing in 2008, and only 1.8 million were reunited with their owners. They hope the SpotLight will boost the number of happy homecomings. The device is small and unobtrusive, although at 2.5 ounces, it's not recommended for dogs under 10 pounds. The rechargeable battery can easily be swapped out and juiced up without even having to remove the device from the dog's collar.

The SpotLight regularly rings up at a-not-insignificant $250, and service plans range from $8 to $20 per month, depending on the options you select. But the company is currently offering discounts on both the device and the service plans. Discounts will be available through the end of summer, as part of a special introductory offer.

Source

Tags: collar, dog, GPS, lost, pet-locator, runaway, spot-light, spotlight

Can't Miss Galleries

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=748445&pid=748444&uts=1268943923

http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf

Camouflage Animals

Madagascar Day Gecko
The green Madagascar Day Gecko lives in the dry regions of forests in Madagascar and neighboring islands. They usually grow to be between four to six inches long. Their tail makes up almost half of their length.

Getty Images

Camouflage Animals

Argentine Horned Frog Reptiles
The Argentine Horned Frog, also known as the Horned Frog or Pacman Frog, originated in South America. The green and black amphibian, which can grow up to six inches long, is a popular pets and can live for as long as 10 years.

Camouflage Animals

Walkingstick
The Walkingstick takes its camouflage abilities to the next level by creating the appearance of a stick or twig to hide from predators. While they normally stand still, these insects are able to walk around as though they were a twig caught in the wind. They can be found in tropical forests or woodlands all across the world.

Camouflage Animals

Dwarf Puff Adder
Found in Nambia, the venomous Dwarf Puff Adder hides from the hot desert sun by burying itself in the sand, where only its eyes show.

Camouflage Animals

Stonefish
Often resembling a rock, the brown colored Stonefish camouflages itself perfectly in the ocean. With 13 venomous dorsal spines on its back, the Stonefish can cause tissue damage and respiratory distress, which can lead to cardiovascular shock if left untreated.

Camouflage Animals

Chameleons
Chameleons, the quintessential color-changers, can transform their skin color when their mood, temperature or the amount of light around them is altered. Their hue, which can vary from yellow and pink to brown and black, is also altered when they communicate.

Camouflage Animals

Green Anole
Often confused with chameleons, Green Anoles turn brown when they're stressed or sick. Found in the trees and shrubs of the Southeastern United States, these lizards are popular pets.

Camouflage Animals

The Eastern Wood Frog
The Eastern Wood Frog tricks competitors by changing colors to match its surroundings. Found in North American woodlands, the frog also has a dark black patch from its eye to the base of its front limb that can change colors.

Camouflage Animals