I have looked online for a good quality GPS collar in the UK but it's seems they are relatively new to us so conflicting feedback.

Are their any forum members with knowledge of these and can recommend a product.

I have only recently purchased Simba and has not been allowed out even though he cry's loudly at the door to be let out.

Before I got him he was allowed out daily and i'm thinking it cruel to try and keep him as a house cat although it would be my preference.

But it is Simba that matters, I welcome any advice you can give me.

Hi ronjon

I use a Pod Tracker for my two, you attach them to the cat's collar. Pod 2 is out now but in March Pod 3 is being launched with new features etc which is now detailed on their website. Pod 3 will be slightly larger than the Pod 2 which only weighs 29g as they are adding sound and light and bigger batteries for longer life - they can last up to four days depending on how often you are checking up on your pet.

My two are only allowed out when they are wearing them now - Hendrix got in a van this time last year and was missing for over two weeks. We were very lucky to get him back so we immediately started to look at GPS trackers. These work pretty well I think, you can set a safe zone , how often it updates you with their whereabouts and it will let you know when they leave the safe zone (it will give you the address of where they are if they do), you can record adventures or just leave it to update you every three hours. You can check anytime you like where your pet is in between times though. There is also an activity tracker which is useful to check on their health etc. When the pod is at home, it goes into 'sleep' mode as you set it to your wifi. You get a charger with each pod and two batteries. Obviously it isn't always going to be spot on accurate as it depends on 'stuff' in the area, ie if there are a lot of trees or bushes and your cat is in them it can throw it out. Wifi can be out a bit as well, but if found by GPS it is pretty accurate. There is also a facility for Bluetooth and it will tell you if your cat is close by. I've often found my two that way on our roof as it keeps telling me they're near by and I can't see them until I look up!

Pictures attached of my two modelling their trackers!

I would add that their customer service is second to none. You have a facility to contact them for help through the app and despite being based in Australia, they always respond within 24 hours, if not immediately and always manage to sort your problem out. They also replace damaged pods with no question. We've been through a few now as my two will roll around on concrete and damage them!

I hope this helps!

_________________
Clare
Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013)
Hampshire, UK

Naturally, the best thing is to keep your baby indoors. You can always train him to walk on a harness and leash and you can take him outside for walks. I got my bengal when he was 6 years old and he was allowed to roam the neighborhood freely. Lots of cat fights and scars later, I took him and he has a great outdoor enclosure and we take two walks a day. The main thing is that he is safe as he goes looking for trouble every time we are outside. I have the Pod Tracker, however, it was purchased for an outdoor cat that I take care of. It requires a collar and that cat refuses to wear one. Thus, it does me no good at all. You would need to get your kitty used to wearing a collar. The tracker is not small by any means, but it is the only GPS system that is out there which is small enough for cats which allows you to track them anywhere in the world.

Thanks for your advice I will consider what you have said maybe first try get him to wear a collar.

Hi ronjon, was just curious as to how you were getting on with the collar->GPS transition?
I'm interested in the Pod3s but as Sherry notes, I'd need to acclimatize my cats to some collars first.

They keep coming out with trackers. Most do not use Wi-fi because you do not always have a Wi-Fi connection in the open. Many use bluetooth which limits the range and, if they are in a garage or crawl space, may not show up. GPS will work 99.99% of the time. However, it is expensive and the Pod Trackers are not tiny. There are many trackers on the market .. you just need to figure out what will work for you. The cheaper ones will only work about 100 feet and you have to come within range of the tracker on the cat for anything to show up. It is better than nothing. I'm happy Clare's cats have gotten used to their Pod Tracker. It gives her peace of mind that she can know their location wherever they are in the UK.