Pet tech: It was a dog-on-the-loose moment that caused my friend George to purchase one of the many pet tracking devices on the market. Freddie, his beloved labrador-mix, had run off to greet another dog when he abruptly disappeared, inciting panic amongst all pet lovers on my local beach in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Luckily, Freddie re-emerged in what seemed a lifetime later, with George deciding enough was enough. Indeed, there’s nothing worse than losing your furry friend – especially when it’s something that could easily have been avoided.

Luckily for pet owners such as George, technology has made it easier than ever to track our beloved cats, dogs and even rabbits’ whereabouts through the most innovative methods.

According to research from Peeva, 1 out of 3 pets get lost at some point in their lifetime and close to 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the US every single year. What’s more, studies show the pet tech industry continues to boom, with eighty seven per cent of pet owners saying technology enhances their ability to care for them.

With Freddie now sporting a high tech tracking device attached to his collar (pictured modelling the Triactive GPS Tracker for dogs) and National Pet Day just around the corner on the 11th of April, we decided it was high time we took a look at some of the best animal tracking devices available for purchase.

Trivactive GPS Tracker

The Trivactive GPS Tracker for dogs is one of the better-known gadgets available. Both its device and app have been lauded for being both practical and efficient. The tracker uses signals from numerous networks, meaning once you clip it to your pet’s collar, you have full visibility of their location on Google Maps. The Triactive GPS Tracker for dogs also provides escape alerts and enables users to keep tabs on activity, including sleep and barking. What’s more, the compact device enables you to monitor your pooches’ health through alerts which are automatically sent to your email or via the app if your dog’s activity or sleep has shown unusual changes over a longer period. Subscription-based, its battery lasts up to 14 days.

Petcube GPS Tracker

Similar to the Triactive, the Petcube GPS Tracker clips onto your dog’s collar. Although rather bulky and also subscription-based, it enables you to track your pet’s location, set areas through geofencing and switch on lost dog mode. What truly makes it ‘extra’, however, is its LED light and buzzer, which enable you to find your lost pet in all environments at any time of the day. It also boasts 20 days of battery life and has the ability to fully charge within just one hour.

Fi Smart Dog Collar

The Fi Smart Dog Collar is another device worth mentioning. Enabling users to pinpoint their furry friends on a map in real-time, the tracker itself is small and light, meaning that, unlike others, it also suits toy dogs. It allows you to monitor your furry friend’s activity, sleep and location. A trendier option than most, it comes in a variety of colours and patterns and has been praised for its durability, meaning leash pullers won’t cause you to lose it. It’s also chew-proof for dogs who have an appetite for all things plastic.

PetPace 2.0

For a tracker that includes the wellness factor, look no further than the PetPace 2.0. Packed with sensors to track each and every element of dog wellbeing, including sleep, pulse, respiration, temperature and more, it’s been praised for its ability to help owners detect and manage a range of common canine conditions. Billed as the most comprehensive pets health tracker in the world, it also enables you to locate your furry friend through real-time GPS. Subscription-based, it’s a little pricier than other options on the market, but as reviews would have it, the premium pays for its additional insights on doggy health.

Petfon 2

The Petfon 2 is also worth mentioning. Despite the device costing marginally more than others, it is non-subscription based and features a more compact design than most. Users can set it up within minutes, and the Petfon app features numerous training videos to help even the most technically challenged. Featuring live tracking mode, it also boasts geo-fence capabilities, meaning you will be notified if your pet leaves designated areas. What’s more, the device features a light so you can spot your beloved pooch in the dark, and it also provides a voice command function, meaning you can communicate with your dog to help calm those nerves remotely.

Apple AirTag

Lastly, If you’re seeking a device that has multiple uses and isn’t just for pets, then look no further than the Apple AirTag. Going back to basics, the AirTag can be attached to your dog’s collar or harness. Reasonably priced and with no subscription fee, it’s a cheap and cheerful way to keep tabs on your furry friend. By placing an airbag on your dog’s collar, you can use the Find My app to see where he or she is on Google Maps. Although it doesn’t contain the fancy gizmos like the others, another pro-point is its year-long battery life. Unfortunately, the AirTag only works with iPhones at the moment…hopefully, that may change before we all go, er, barking mad!