According to the Humane Society, there are over 78 million owned dogs in the United States.* It’s no wonder that the number of mobile apps for pet parents is growing. There are
apps for finding pet-friendly hotels, pet stores, groomers, shelters, sitters, and first aid; as well as apps for photo sharing, toys, and pet names. There is even a whistle app that can help you train your dog. Many of these apps are free of cost. Anyone with a smart phone can access an app. Here are three apps you may find particularly helpful:
Tagg™ Tracker. One of the greatest fears for a dog parent is losing their beloved pet. With the Tagg™ Tracker system, you will always be able to find him using a GPS system and a special collar that attaches to your dog’s regular collar. Tagg™ will notify you through a text message and an email if your dog has gone outside the boundaries which you have set. After you’ve received the alert, you’ll go to the Tagg™ map which will show your pet’s exact location. The system works throughout the United Sates with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices that have iOS 4.0 or newer operating systems. Your dog can swim with the Tagg™ collar and it also can monitor his activity level. Cost of the collar is $99.95 (comes with three month’s service) and $7.95/month after that. There are no contracts and the service can be canceled anytime. Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but it is a worthwhile investment in your pet. www.pettracker.com
Pet MD. Pet MD provides first aid information. Would you know what to do if your dog has a life-threatening allergic reaction? Having quick access to information can save your dog’s life. The PetMed first aid app will tell you how to treat broken bones, burns, poisoning, and more, until you can get your dog to the vet. The cost is $1.99. This app also offers a free symptom checker at petMD Symptom Checker, and informational articles at the Apple App Store. www.petmd.com
Dog Park Finder Plus. Dogs need lots of exercise. If you travel with your pet, Dog Park Finder Plus will tell you where to find a dog park anywhere in the United States. They list over 2000 parks and provide maps, reviews, information on the size, fencing, bathrooms of each park. If there are small dog areas, it will inform you of that also. Parks are rated, and the site shows photographs. You’ll also find information on nearby restaurants. Dog Park Finder Plus is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad and requires iOS 4.3 or later. This app is powered by DogParkUSA, an organization committed to creating awareness of responsibly maintained parks for dogs. Cost is $1.99. www.doggoes.com/iphone/dog-park-finder-plus
We all want to keep our pets safe and happy. Downloading these apps can bring you peace of mind along with important and useful information. They are easy to find and easy to use.
*These statistics were compiled from the American Pet Products Association 2011-2012 National Pet Owners Survey.
Photo: Courtesy of Yukaka Tsutano via Flickr (CC by 2.0)
