Find Your Lost Cat With Electronics

First, someone came up with the idea of tattooing cats with a unique number which could be fed into a database in case the cat was lost. Next, the ubiquitous microchip was specifically designed for pets. Inserted with a simple injection under the fold of skin between a cat's shoulders, it is relatively inexpensive, although it has some drawbacks. Since there is more than one source of the chip, veterinarians and shelters must use scanners that are compatible with a given cat's microchip to find a match.

In today's age of electronics, it's no surprise that the next invention would be an electronic cat finder - in fact the only surprise is that no one had come up with one sooner. There are already a couple of versions, and I'm sure more are just around the corner.

• Mobile Locator
  This works with a device attached to the pet's collar, which emits a signal that can be picked up with a special mobile-phone-type of handheld monitor.
• Cat Locator and Trainer
  A transponder mounted on the cat's collar transmits both a beep (capable of being heard for 100 yards) and a red light (for finding your cat in the dark.) You trigger the beep by pressing a button on a remote.

With a GPS locator for children already on the market, it's not surprising that one would follow for cats. In fact, I'm surprised that no one has yet come up with a microchip which would not only provide information on owners of lost pets, but which would also transmit a GPS signal which could be received by the pets' owners. I'll bet you a can of sardines that something similar to this is out within a year or two, but it will be pricey. If you're not up to chasing your cat around, he'd be better off as an indoor pet.