What is pet tracking? Pet tracking involves methods of finding your pet when it wanders away from its home. Have you ever lost a pet, and wasted valuable time searching for your wandering four legged friend?

Today, pet tracking can involve having your pet either being implanted or wearing a chip that can be tracked using hand held GPS units similar to the ones that many people have in their automobiles.

Implanted Pet Tracking

Initially, before doing research on the procedure, I was very hesitant about implanting tracking devices in my pets. However, I have learned that the procedure is very routine, and would not require my cat Diddy to be put under. The little tracking chip is simply injected into the pet via a shot that resembles an immunization.

I had also been concerned about having a little chip inside Diddy, but apparently, studies have shown that animals have had no adverse reactions to the implanted chip.

A friend of mine was adopted by a cat that had been previously implanted with a tracking chip. Forrest, my friend, due to the cat's tracking chip was able to determine that the cat was abandoned due to a costly medical condition. Oh, if you are so inclined, Forrest is taking donations for the cats vet bills.

Anyway, the tracking chip can then can be read by any veterinarian that may encounter your pet. Often times, the chips are also accompanied by a pet tag that includes the registration number and serves to alert people that the pet is registered in a pet registry.

I am not aware if these types of chips can be tracked via GPS, but it sounds like a good idea to me.

Pet Tracking Collars

These tracking devices enable the pet owner to track their pet via a specially designed pet tracking collar which means the pet owner does not have to inject a micro chip into their pet. These types of collars are available for both cats and dogs, and also come with a hand held unit for tracking the animal.

The only limitations I can imagine would be that the collar could come off or the tracking device may become inoperable due to damage or dead batteries. Regardless of what type of pet tracking device you use, I believe that either one would be better than no pet tracking device.