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Qualcomm, a company that typically provides technology solutions behind-the-scenes for smart phones and other portable devices, is entering the pet tracking industry. Snaptracs, a Qualcomm subsidiary, is launching a GPS tracking system for pets, called Tagg. The launch is expected in late September 2011, and although rare, isn’t completely out of character for this technology company. The pet tracker was preceded by a similar GPS tracking system for children by Qualcomm, called Little Buddy.

A problem that other pet-trackers frequently run up against is that the locator is hidden within the collar. For pets that manage to wiggle out of or simply destroy their collars, this isn’t a great solution. “I’d be a thousand times more likely to use it if there isn’t a collar,” explained Joanne Wright, owner of two cats in Brooklyn.

Tracking is done through a small, lightweight collar attachment that transmits the pet’s location information to the Tagg system. The Tagg tracker easily attaches to your pet’s existing collar through a collar clip and strap. “That’s what we’re doing, completing the last mile for the pet where you as the owner of the pet. . . can take control,” explained Snaptracs president David Vigil.

Another problem with the current pet tracking devices on the market, is that they can take quite a bit of time to locate the pet. Even with microchips, the pet owner has to wait for his or her lost pet to show up at a vet’s office or the pound, hope that they scan the animal for a chip, and then rely on the vet or animal shelter staff to call.

“I still have to look for it for hours, and I’m still going to make all those signs with his picture and put them up in the neighborhood,” said Wright “If I could just find the cat myself within minutes of noticing he’s gone, it would be so much easier.”

The Tagg tracker is different because owners can track their pets as soon as they notice the animal is missing. Owners can use their smart phone or tablet to locate their pet with GPS tracking in real time. Tagg also allows users to establish geo-fences, typically around their house, and receive messages through email or SMS if the pet breaches that boundary.

If you take your pet out on a walk or on an errand, you can suppress alerts by activating the Trip button at the top of the tracker deceive, preventing any alert notifications that the pet is outside the Tagg zone for 45 minutes. When the pet returns inside the Tagg zone or when the rip timer expires, notifications are no longer suppressed. The first year of service is $199, followed by a $59 annual rate thereafter.

Article Written by Marisa O’Connor

Editor’s Note: Article updated on 9/17/2011 and 9/19/2011