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By Greg Bartlett

Nearly everyone will admit to knowing someone with an unusual pet. Maybe it’s the creepy guy with the snake collection, or that girl who positively adores her talking Hill Myna. Petting zoos too are very popular with kids this holiday season, and taking your kids will give them a chance to interact with a variety of unique species. Thankfully, these kinds of pets aren’t apt to wander far, but those with more mobile animals may want to consider a GPS tracking system. Easily one of the most in-demand items during this time of year, a GPS tracking device under the tree is sure to bring a smile to any pet owner.

Tracking Animals with GPS

One couple in Ohio is certainly putting theirs to good use. Steve Heathman and Dr. Melanie Butera have a household pet especially prone to wander. When a farmer brought an injured deer to Dr. Butera, a veterinarian, the couple simply couldn’t let the animal go. They named her Daffodil (Dillie for short) and nursed her back to health, deciding to keep the animal indoors with their two cats and one dog. Dille’s now housetrained and very much part of the family, so when she wandered out of an open gate this past summer, Heathman and Butera decided to purchase a collar outfitted with a GPS tracking device. Now her movements can be monitored with a computer, and the (slightly out of the ordinary) Ohio family has a little more peace of mind.

In a far less comfortable environment are New England’s moose herds, who nonetheless benefit from GPS tracking technology, as well. In case you’re wondering how well your pet’s GPS tracker will hold up, just follow the data provided by the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit as they seek to protect moose that will contend with harsh conditions this winter. Researchers have outfitted many moose with GPS tracking devices which will let authorities see how animal populations are reacting to lengthening road networks and expanding neighborhoods. Ultimately, researchers hope to protect moose and humans from fatal road collisions or other accidents.

Yet the beauty of a GPS tracking system is its scalability. Whether you’re tracking one individual unit or hundreds, a fleet of fast-moving vehicles or a few slow-moving deer, an effectively implemented GPS tracking system can provide you with all information you need to keep what you love safe.