New tech tracks missing pets and owners

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A Buda family recently spent days going door-to-door looking for the owner of a puppy they found in the street.

They were convinced “Chip” wasn’t a stray, even though he had no collar or microchip to identify his home.

“If it was my dog, I’d want someone to go though the efforts to find his rightful home,” said Dawn Sullivan.

Sullivan’s roommate also posted an ad about the dog on Craigslist.

According to Petfinder.com , more than 2 million pets disappeared last year, and fewer than 10 percent made their way back home. Microchipping is still the preferred way to inform people about where an animal belongs, according to the American Kennel Club. 

However, quite a few high-tech items debuted in recent years to reconnect people with their pets. 

The TAGG GPS system attaches to your pet’s collar.  It will send a text or email when your dog or cat leaves the zone you set up.  You’ll see exactly where your pet is, as long as the collar is still on.  There is an $8 monthly fee to keep the GPS system active.

There is also a collar that uses Quick Response Codes to tell others about your animal. You simply register your pet online and then order and ID tag which can be read with a regular QR code app.

“There are also Amber alerts for pets where you can actually upload your data, pay a fee, and they’ll do all the legwork," said Pet Lifestyle expert Charlotte Reed.

The American Kennel Club is reporting a 70 percent increase in the number of pets being reported stolen.

As for “Chip," the search for his home failed.  Fortunately, his finders fell in love with him, so he has a new forever family.