Why GPS Pet Collars or Pet Microchips Don’t Work

Some people are often misled to believe that a GPS Collar or Microchip will be enough in the event of a missing pet emergency. Read this true story on why this is not always the case:

Lisa Massy of Stafford, Virginia, lost her beloved pet, Hayden. Hayden was taken to a local shelter, which attempted to scan him for a microchip. Unfortunately, the shelter did not realize that their “universal” scanner was not compatible with the specific branded microchip Hayden was implanted with by the local Animal Hospital. As a result, the scanner found no microchip, and Hayden was subsequently put to sleep.

Unfortunately, this scenario happens all the time. You may have contemplated spending hundreds of dollars on microchips or GPS collars, in an effort to protect your pet, but the following reasons are why you should rethink that:

1. Unless a microchip can be properly scanned, microchips do not alert people that the pet is yours. As you can see from the story above, certain devices cannot scan all microchips. Not all scanners and chips are compatible. This means if a shelter cannot locate your pet’s chip, he or she is at high risk for euthanasia.
2. You may have microchipped your pet,but did you know that unless you register your pet in a pet recovery program, your microchip is considered ineffective? Up to 40% of pets are not registered into a pet recovery program and are therefore considered unprotected.
3. Did you know? That many places do not even scan a pet when they are brought in? If you are solely relying on a microchip, don’t. Many veterinarians,rescues, animal shelters and animal control offices have no regulations requiring incoming pets to be scanned for microchips.
4. Up to 60% of microchips fail because they are not implanted properly, become dislodged in a pet’s body, or are simply not able to be scanned due to malfunction.
5. Approximately 50% of shelters don’t even have a microchip scanner!
6. Microchips are only used to identify a pet – they are not a recovery tool. You must still get the word out that your pet is missing in order for someone to be on the lookout as well as check your local shelters, veterinary offices, animal control offices, rescues, etc.

With all of the problems that Microchips have when it comes to identifying your pet, you may be asking yourself about the feasibility of a GPS collar. Read these facts on GPS collars before spending hundreds of dollars on them:

1. Like every electronic device, GPS collars can and do fail. Malfunction, wetness, condensation and loss of power are several known reasons why a GPS collar will stop working.
2. Did you know the satellites used for a GPS collar are the same as those used for cellular service? As you know, it is difficult to find cellular service in the woods, valleys, rural areas, etc. Imagine how difficult it will be to get a signal on your pet’s GPS system if they wander off into one of these zones.
3. Most pet owners are aware of how easy it is for some pets to wiggle or squirm their way out of collars.
4. Battery life on a GPS system is poor and often needs frequent recharging. What would you do if your pet became lost while your GPS charger is docked on its charging system?
5. GPS tags are bulky – making them hard to use on small dogs, cats or other small animals
6. Location updates are slow. This means that if you actually do get a signal on your lost pet, by the time you get to that area, your pet may be long gone.

Word of mouth – this is the number one way to recovering a lost pet. This method works fast and gets information out to a large number of people. My Neighborhood Alert is the largest word of mouth network. Our system will transmit your missing pet’s information to thousands of outlets, using a variety of means.

With My Neighborhood Alert Intelligent Alert Flyer System, your pet’s personal Flyer can be shared with friends, family members, neighbors, animal shelters, rescues, clinics, veterinary offices and more – using text, email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.!

Are you ready to protect your beloved pet?

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