Last week a friend reached out with an article about a microchip database claiming “Track your pet with our microchip”.
This was totally misleading. A microchip can not track a pet and I don’t expect the technology to be available to do this for another 10 years or more.
There is no technology that combines a pet tracker and a microchip
What's the difference?
Microchips
In THIS article we talked about what a microchip is and what it does.
In simple terms it’s a chip with no power source that just stores a 15 digit number. This is then linked via a microchip database to your pet.
Here’s a few facts about a microchip:
- Their about the size of a grain of rice
- It’s a legal requirement in the UK to microchip your dog
- A microchip is implanted under your pet’s skin
GPS Pet tracker
A GPS pet tracker generally attaches to a pet collar and are usually around 7 cm long. (The smallest we could find was 5cm from SaferPet which you can find HERE.)
They use GPS (A bit like a car sat nav) to track your pet’s live movements via an accompanying app. Here’s a few other facts about them:
- Require charging every few days
- Require a subscription as the GPS used a sim card
- Attaches to your pet’s collar
The best way to protect your pet
A pet microchip works for your pet’s entire life where as a GPS Tracker needs charged every few days depending on your pet’s activity.
A microchip acts as a method for your pet to find it’s way home to you if it ever goes missing.
A GPS tracker can be equally as useful if your at the park and your dog runs off. You can quickly locate your pet.
Here’s the 3 best ways to protect your pet in case they ever go missing:
- Ensure your pet is microchipped and registered on a microchip database. You can check all UK databases on our website HERE.
- Ensure your pet has an ID collar with your details on it
- Use a pet tracker to track your pet live, especially if you’re doing any off-lead walks.
We’re friends with the team over at SaferPet who can help you with a pettracker. Click HERE to head over to their website.
P.S. We like to be upfront. We may get paid if your purchase a pet tracker from SaferPet.
