Pet Tech Coach

GPS pet trackers (in case they get out)

• Apple AirTag (~$25) — works ONLY if your pet is near other Apple devices. Fine in cities, useless in rural areas. Best paired with a separate small collar tag.
• Tile Mate (~$25) — same idea, works with both iPhone and Android networks.
• Tractive ($60 + $5/month) — REAL GPS, works anywhere there's cell signal. Best for dogs who escape yards or cats who roam. Live tracking on a map.
• Fi Smart Collar ($150 + $9/month) — designed for dogs. GPS plus activity tracking.
• Whistle GO Explore ($130 + $10/month) — similar to Fi. Has health tracking too.

Quick Tip: Add an old-fashioned tag with your phone number too. AirTags fail. Phone numbers don't.

If your pet is lost

1. Call your vet — confirm the microchip is registered in YOUR name with current phone numbers. (Many seniors discover the chip is still in the breeder's name from years ago.)
2. Post on Nextdoor, Facebook neighborhood groups, and PawBoost (free lost-pet alert site).
3. Call the local animal shelter and county animal control — they need a description in case someone brings the pet in.
4. Walk the route with treats. Most lost pets stay within a half-mile of home.
5. Ask postal carriers and delivery drivers — they cover the same streets every day.

Dog walking & sitting apps

• Rover — biggest dog walker / sitter network. Verified profiles, reviews, in-app messaging. Insurance built in.
• Wag — similar idea. Often a bit cheaper, slightly less consistent walker quality.
• Local Facebook groups — "[Your town] dog walkers" — sometimes finds neighbors with reasonable rates.

First time: Set up a 15-minute "meet and greet" before letting a stranger walk your dog. All real services support this.

Vet apps and health tracking

• Pawprint / iVet — keep vaccine and shot records on your phone. Useful for boarding kennels.
• Banfield (PetSmart vet) app — schedule, see records, refill meds.
• VetLIVE / Pawp / Airvet — telehealth vet calls when something's wrong at 9 PM. $20-30 per video call. Often answers "is this an emergency?" quickly.

Free deals worth knowing

• Chewy Autoship — pet food on a schedule with 5-10% off. Free 1-2 day shipping.
• Costco — Kirkland-brand pet food is rated as well as premium brands at half the price.
• Hill's to Home — vet-prescribed food delivered, often at vet's price minus 5%.