GPS device helps keep track of pets

Raleigh News and Observer

For owners of lost pets, the frantic search for Fido does not always end happily.

Now one company is betting that even in a recession, pet owners will pay $250 for some peace of mind.

Smaller than a business card, Spotlight is a rectangular box that attaches to a dog’s collar and connects with satellites and cell-phone towers to provide a GPS location for the dog at all times.

If your dog strays beyond the boundaries of a “safe spot” such as the yard or driveway, Spotlight sends a text message to inform you that the dog is out of bounds and gives its location.

If you have a smart phone with Web access, it will also provide turn-by-turn directions to your dog.

The Raleigh, N.C., company behind Spotlight — Positioning Animals Worldwide, or PAW — partnered with the American Kennel Club’s Companion Animal Recovery division, which will provide telephone service for owners who have lost their dogs.

Spotlight is waterproof, weighs less than 2.5 ounces and has a bright LED light that you can turn on remotely to help locate your dog at night.

Still, despite all of its high-tech features, the price tag may be a deal-breaker for some pet owners.

Customers pay $250 plus a monthly service fee. Like a cell-phone plan, customers will be able to choose from a pay-as-you-go plan that starts at $4.99 a month to an unlimited plan. The price of that plan is still being set.