Silent night…all is calm, all is bright… because your dog ran away!
Here, on Day 7 of Pogue's 12 Days of Gadgets, I offer a solution.
GPS is already in our cars and phones - why not on pet collars? The Tagg Pet Tracker ($100, plus $8 a month after three months) snaps onto your dog or cat's existing collar. (The company notes: “The tracker should not be used on spiked, jeweled or metal collars.†That means you, Brutus next door.)
Now you can track Fluffy's wanderings. If the animal leaves the yard (or any other “geofence†that you create), the 1.1-ounce tag sends you a text message. And you can use the pettracker.com Web site to find your pet again o n a map, using your phone or computer.
Unlike most pet trackers, this one is useful even when your animal remains on the property. It also acts like one of those FitBit-type motion sensors, generating daily or weekly reports on how much exercise your animal is getting. Might be handy if you're not around to witness its activities during the day.
The design is clean and attractive (and water-resistant - swimming or bathing doesn't hurt it). When the battery runs low, the transmitter sends you a text to let you know. You snap the thing neatly onto its base station charger; one charge lasts about a month.
You can add another pet for another $1 a month, and there's no commitment; you can start or stop service whenever you like.
Of course, giving someone a present that requires a monthly fee is always risky. But look at the bright side: next year, you have a ready gift. You can pay for the service for a year.
