Does Your Dog (& Kid) Need a GPS Microchip?

September 13, 2011, By Jean Scheid 0 comments

To Collar or Microchip Pets?

My family has six dogs, and they’re all pound-saved. We try to keep them contained in the yard, but when they do get out, it's a chore of jumping into our vehicles to find them or calling neighbors to help out.

Now there are no more lost dogs with new tracking technologies, but there are basically two different kinds, and both have their advantages and disadvantages.

• Microchips – These are surgically placed inside your pet and are the size of a grain of rice. The chance of the pet losing these is impossible. Even if the chip inside shifts a little, it can’t really be lost. The down side is that these microchips aren’t really GPS tracked, meaning the only way lost pets will be found is if a shelter, pound or vet finds them and scans the microchip for owner information. On top of that, the shelter or vet must have the scanning equipment readily available. Depending upon where you live, the cost of the chip implant is between $30-$50, and after that there’s a registration fee with the microchip manufacturer.
• GPS Collars – These do work as GPS tracking devices and come ready to use from all sorts of pet stores. The GPS tracking device stays on your pet’s collar and the handheld GPS unit will help you find the dog if it runs away or gets lost. The down side of this collar is that the pet might be able to wiggle out of it. You may find the collar through the GPS device, but your pet won't be wearing it. GPS tracking collars cost between $130 and $200 depending upon features. Just like a GPS device in your vehicle, there are monthly fees for certain services.

GPS Devices for Kids

The global positioning systems for kid tracking come in two formats. The first is a personal tracking system that installs into a child’s jacket, watch, backpack or some other device they carry with them daily.

There are also vehicle-tracking systems if you want to know where your junior driver is traveling. Every company that offers these basic systems charges for the device, activation fees, and a monthly monitoring fee—expect to pay around $325 for the device and activation, with monthly monitoring fees of around $20.

Both of these options are cool—if your child goes farther than the area you think they’re in, you'll get an alert. Much like the GPS devices installed in vehicles these days, if your child is lost, the GPS tracking system will find them.

The advantages to both of these systems is having peace of mind at all times and knowing where your child is. If your child is lost or taken, it makes it extremely easy to find them.

Some of the disadvantages may be where the tracking devices are placed and if the kid, teen or a stranger removes them. If you do use these systems, tell your kids about them and what they’re for—otherwise, your kids, especially if they're teens, might not like the intrusiveness. Still, as a parent, you might worry a little less.