We need to be prepared BGM! Between 6 and 8 million pets end up in animal shelters all over the U.S. each year, including many lost family pets.
In light of the times, I wanted to mention current iPhone applications available for download that unite owners with their lost pets. This is a resource that (I would pray) still would be accessible to most people.
1) A free iPhone app called PetRescuers has been released to help volunteers reunite lost pets with their owners. It taps into a database of 500,000 volunteers who receive emails to alert them of any lost pets in their area. Since 1996, over 600,000 pets have been reunited with their families by this network. To use this app, you must first enroll as a member and have your pet microchipped. This permanent pet ID gives you access to enroll in the Home Again membership program that includes services to protect lost and found pets. (And we all should have our pet microchipped, shouldn’t we?)
2) Okay, BGM, how about PET GPS! That’s right. You purchase a small GPS location unit that attaches to your animal’s collar, and a paid monthly service lets you see where your dog (or cat) is. If Fido or Fluffy moves outside your pre-defined “safe” areas, you get an alarm email or text message. You can then log on to the website to so see where your pet is – but there’s no guarantee your pet will stay at that location until you get there. It’s called the Spotlight GPS Pet Locator. The iPhone app that allows you to track your dog, turn by turn, as you drive to pick him up. The app is free, but a PAW GPS locator and service are required. (WOW! I LIKE THIS ONE!)
3) I thought this one should be mentioned. PetMD First Aid Emergency for Dogs. This app is extremely useful. It provides a searchable list of things that might go wrong with your dog, such as burns, chocolate poisoning and digestion of antifreeze. When you click an item on the list, you will get detailed information on each scenario and how to deal with it. This is useful even when you are not in the midst of an emergency. You can read along in the app to know what to do ” just in case.”
As of today, the iPhone app store lists over 30 lost pet apps! Some free, some not. Thank you for helping reunite lost pets with their families! Have any of our BGM readers lost a pet, or adopted one in light of the storm? Comments?
BGM Hannah
