Tracking devices

[bobinsky]

After just having our one year old cat return after 4 days of worrying I'm looking into tracking devices - I can't go through that again!! Please can people let me know which ones they recommend?

[bobinsky]

mytabcat.com/shop/tabcat-pack/
This is what I think we might get.....has anyone used it?

[AndNowItsSeven]

But how do you look up the location?

[bobinsky]

It has a device that is like the hot/cold game when searching. Tells you which direction to head in and how far away they are. Battery life looks good and seems a reasonable price compared to some. She has form for removing collars so don't want to spend hundreds

[AndNowItsSeven]

I see, seems a good idea but havent used it was just curious, sorry.

[RubbishMantra]

I've got one of these, but under their previous name, Loca8tor.

Don't buy replacement batteries from the company, buy them in bulk off Amazon. Much more economical.

You can train your cat to come home by switching on the receiver, which makes their collar bleep, and giving them a treat. Like the Pavlov's Dog training.

It's proved invaluable, one night, when there was a massive gale on, MCat didn't come home past his curfew. DH and I wandered about, with the receiver, heard his collar bleep, called him and he jumped into DH's arms. He wasn't far from the house, but the gale had obviously scared/disorientated him, and he was hunkered down, too frightened to even answer us with a miaow.

I'd love to get a real time GPS for the boys, but the collar tag is so big and bulky.

If you do decide to put a device on your cat, please use a quick release snap off collar, the elastic ones can cause horrific injuries and death. If they lose their collar, you'll most likely find it with the Tabcat receiver, or you can buy replacements for about £25.

Shame microchips can't be used in the same way, but there's the problem of what to do about the battery.

But yes, I'd definitely recommend the TabCat. even though people look at you like you're mad, spinning slowly in circles, pointing what looks like a credit card

[bobinsky]

Thanks rubbishmantra I've ordered one, should be here in a day or so. I did look into the new gps collars but they are out of stock - they will be £150 for a 2g or £199 for a 3G when they are released. They'll be smaller collars, but I think it is a bit too much to spend. Would be interesting to see where they go though!!

[puggymummy1]

Watching with interest. Please update us

[bobinsky]

Well.....it's on her and she's waiting to be released to the wilds! Will update on how good it is - my kids are going to try and track her in a bit!

[puggymummy1]

Excellent! Looking forward to the update!

[bobinsky]

She didn't go far yesterday upon release - the kids tracked her a few times, the most amusing one being half way up a big fir tree where she was on the look out for baby birds! But it did work and I'm pleased with it. We'll see how the batteries last!

[RubbishMantra]

IME the batteries last a good while. The receiver batteries last longer than the tiny ones that go into the device that go into the one on the collar.

A Tip, when you've finished using the Loca8tor/MyTabCat, ensure to press the button on the right side edge, until you hear the "Be - boop", rather than the "on" sound which is more of a "Be - BOOP, if that makes sense.

Won't harm the device, will just ensure device's batteries last longer, because you're switching it off between uses.

[RubbishMantra]

• Nooo, I should've said the (smaller) collar batteries last longer than the receiver's larger batteries.
  
  All this be-booping has confused me!

[RubbishMantra]

I'm so glad I put a tracker on my boys. Neither of them are allowed out the front (too busy).

This morning, after opening the cat flap, it occurred to me I hadn't seen Little Monsieur. Got the receiver out, and he was hunkered down in next door's side garden, behind a plant pot. The only time he could have got out was when I had a take-away delivered, last night! That means my poor little bloke spent the night outside, all alone, a cat who by choice decides not to leave the back courtyard.

Thank Christ he had the sense to find an out of the way place, and that I found him before the bin trucks did the rounds, that would have freaked the hell out of him, and probably sent him into flight mode. Phew!

The tracker did a pretty good job though, I live in a row of thick walled terraces, and I got a reading off the tracker through the walls.

Judging by the crooning and chirruping, he's pleased to be home.

[cozietoesie]

The first person to crack the 'battery on collar' issue is going to make their firm an absolute fortune. (I don't think it's crackable, myself, but who can tell? Maybe I'm blinkered in my thinking and if new technology permits?) None of my cats have ever tolerated a collar - or not for more than 20 minutes anyway.)

[RubbishMantra]

Yes, if only someone could invent a way of using microchips as tracking devices. The thing that prevents this is the need for a battery. But if it works for a Sureflap?

Apparently they're working on it.

But by golly, he gave me a fright. And it was raining last night. I think he must have a cloak of invisibility, because I paid for the food on my card, opened the door j u s t wide enough to receive food and give a tip, watching me feet all the time (so I thought...).

From now on, it's lockdown in the kitchen if the door bell goes. I doubt the neighbours want to see me shuffling around in my slippers and saggy tracky bottoms, pre-shower, screaming "Monsieur, ou es-tu!" at the top of my voice, waving a credit sized device all about the place.