Is there a GPS chip for dogs?

There seems to be a fair amount of confusion over what a microchip is and what a microchip isn’t.

People often ask questions such as:
Is there a GPS chip for dogs?
Is there a GPS chip for cats?
How much does it cost to put a GPS chip in a dog?
Can you put a GPS chip in your child?
Is there a GPS implant for humans?
Can you track your dog with a microchip?
Many suggest to us that we invent the implantable microchip with GPS while others assume that a microchip in humans exists.

First off, there is no such thing as an implantable GPS microchip. A GPS chip itself (not to be confused with an RFID pet microchip) is much too large to be implanted into an elephant let alone a small kitten and it requires an EXTERNAL power source or piezoelectronic nanogenerator technology activated by kinetic energy to work- however, neither of which are small enough to be implanted into any living thing. Further, anything implanted into the body of a dog, cat or human has to get FDA approval- which takes years, millions of dollars, and real scientists to develop. It would also be contested by many.

We surveyed 400 pet owners that actually have microchips implanted in their pets and we learned many think that their pet’s microchip is a GPS device. This was part of a much greater survey regarding pet microchips and the lack of standardization that has led to incompatability issues.

Let me set the record straight.

When it comes to saving missing pets, GPS has a lot of potential, but an implantable microchip with GPS is totally not feasible at this time. There is no implantable microchip with GPS, Microchips are not GPS, and microchipping a human serves no purpose.

Combine the power of GPS technology with practical tips for tracking your lost dog in our comprehensive resource.

What is GPS?

GPS simply means Global Positioning System (GPS), a precise location tool used for navigation in airplanes, boats, cars, and for almost all outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, and kayaking. There are a few companies that now offer it attached to dog collars.

To add to the confusion, many sites like Amazon, however, will sell separate items that will come up in search results as one item. For example, there are multiple distributors that sell GPS collars for pets as well as microchips for pets, but there is no such thing as a pet GPS microchip. Fine. it happens; however, nothing is more annoying when someone is totally disingenuous and it actually yields ignorant belief. It is even worse when someone ignorant disagrees with you and backs it up with something that came up in a simple google search that is totally false.

What is a microchip?

Microchips are radio-frequency identification (RFID) implants that provide a permanent ID for pets. They are the only pet reunification technology option available that is implantable and not attached to a collar so, unlike everything else that attaches to a collar, microchips cannot fall off a collar, be removed, or become impossible to read. Microchips do not require a power source like GPS.

How do Microchips work?

When a microchip scanner is passed over the pet, the microchip gets enough power from the scanner to transmit the microchip’s ID number. Since there’s no battery and no moving parts, there’s nothing to keep charged, wear out, or replace. The microchip will last a pet’s lifetime.

Microchips carry a unique identification number. If a pet gets lost and is taken to a vet clinic or animal shelter, it should be scanned for a microchip to reveal the unique ID number. That number then needs to be called into a pet recovery service, and then the rightful pet owner is supposed to be contacted using the contact information on file when the pet owner registered the pet. For microchips to work they need to be registered.

What Do Microchips Help to Find?

Microchips primarily assist in the identification and reunification of lost pets with their owners. When a pet goes missing and is found by someone else—whether it’s a good Samaritan, veterinarian, or animal shelter—the standard procedure is to scan the animal for a microchip. If present, the chip will reveal a unique identification number. This number, when cross-referenced with a microchip database, provides contact information for the pet’s owner. It’s crucial to understand that microchips don’t actively “track” an animal’s location like GPS. Instead, they serve as a permanent, tamper-proof form of ID that remains with the pet throughout its life, ensuring that even if tags or collars are lost, there’s still a way to trace them back to their rightful home.

Are microchips GPS?

No. A microchip is a small RFID implant with a code that is read when a scanner is waved over it. Microchips themselves do not store any information other than that.

Will a microchip ever be implanted into a human?

There is absolutely no point in ever implanting a human with a microchip because humans have fingerprints. There is nothing that can be accomplished with a microchip that can not be accomplished already with biometric fingerprint scanning technology.  Pets, however, do not have fingerprints so microchips serve as the only permanent form of identification for them. This is why having a microchip implant is absolutely necessary for pets and unnecessary for humans. 

Should I be concerned about my own privacy if I have my pet microchipped?

The short answer to that is no, the information you provide to the manufacturer’s microchip registry is the only way you can be contacted if someone finds your pet. The only way to gain access to that information is from the company your chip is registered with. Once a number is detected- whoever detected the unique identifier of your chip- a phone call should be placed to that company’s customer service line and that company will notify you. When registering with Peeva, you will be instantly notified whenever and wherever your chip was scanned within minutes.

Are microchips government tracking devices?

No. They store a unique code that can only be read within a few inches range. 

A “Micro GPS chip” is misleading as it implies they are microchips. A micro GPS chip is just a really small GPS device.

Microchips are implanted. Micro GPS chips are not.

How do micro GPS tracking chips work?

A Micro GPS tracking chip functions just like a regular GPS device. It receives GPS signals from satellites, and using wireless connectivity, it is capable of transmitting location data to an external application installed on any controlling device with internet connectivity albeit a PC, tablet, or cell phone to track the chip. Alerts can arrive as either text, e-mail, or in-app notifications, while location data are represented through a digital map.

There are several brands on the market and they all generally provide both tracking and navigation data.

GPS Dog Collar for Hunting

For avid hunters, ensuring the safety and tracking of their canine companions in the wilderness is paramount. Enter the GPS dog collar for hunting – a specialized tool that has revolutionized how hunters monitor their dogs in the field. Unlike traditional collars, these GPS-enabled devices allow hunters to precisely track their dog’s movements in real-time, especially in dense terrains where visual contact might be lost. Many of these collars also come with added features like geofencing, which alerts the owner if the dog ventures beyond a predefined area, and beacon lights for visibility in low-light conditions. Some models even offer training features, allowing hunters to send signals or commands to the collar, assisting in the dog’s training and behavior. With extended battery life and durable designs to withstand rough outdoor conditions, these collars are an indispensable tool for hunting enthusiasts who rely on their dogs for a successful expedition.

FACT

GPS is an amazing technology and it has a lot of potential for tracking lost pets. My dog has a GPS collar. The only thing that sucks about it is I need to charge it all the time and if someone wants to steal your dog or cat bad enough, they will just take the collar off. Aside from that, the potential GPS has on pet tracking is promising.

FICTION:

GPS microchips are implanted in humans using a high-powered sniper rifle as the long distance injector. They are known to cause only minor physical pain when it enters the body of an unsuspecting human. The impact can easily be compared to that of a mosquito bite, making the whole shot go unnoticed.Once implanted, the microchip locates the target’s exact position using GPS coordinates. Law enforcement is known to have been using this to track down thieves and other criminal suspects.