A new high-tech collar aims to help prevent dogs dying in hot cars. The “Dog Caller” collar sends the owner an SMS if the dog’s temperature exceeds a safe level. Developed by the Toronto Humane Society and ad-agency Rethink, the product is not intended as an excuse to leave your dog in the car, but rather as a back-up system just in case.
Developed as an “extra-curricular” project by Rethink (a company known more for its beer commercials), the product was first conceived by Aaron Starkman, a partner in the company. On a hot day last year he left his dog, Hefty in the car to run what he originally thought would be a one-minute errand. When he returned twenty minutes later the temperature of the car had soared, and the dog was suffering from terrible heat exhaustion. Fortunately Hefty survived, and it was this close call that prompted Starkman and his ad-agency to design The Dog Caller collar.
The collar is a simple fabric band with a small black box clipped to the front. Inside, a thermistor is used to constantly measure the dog’s temperature, while a SIM card and coded chip allow the device to send an SMS if this temperature becomes too high (approximately 80° F or 26.7° C).
Both the Toronto Humane Society and Rethink stress that the collar is to be used only as a back-up, and not as an excuse for people to leave their dog in the car. Bottom line seems to be that people shouldn’t, but inevitably will leave their dog in the car at times. “We never ever under any circumstance want anyone leaving a dog in a car,” Starkman said—but “if the collar does end up saving a dog in a car, we’ll obviously be thrilled in that result.”
Currently in its prototype stage, the product is anticipated to be available to the public in early 2013. For those concerned about hanging an expensive piece of technology around their dog’s neck, the collar is expected to only cost about US$20.
A promotional video can be seen below.
Source: Toronto Humane Society
When I leave my dog in the car I leave the door open and the dog leashed with a chain. The chain Is actually unnecessary she has abandonment issues (got her from the pound) and doesn't get out of the car.
This product also undermines the valiant efforts of many Animal Welfare Organizations that promote the message that dog owners should AVOID LEAVING THEIR DOG INSIDE A VEHICLE ALONE. Especially during extreme weather conditions.
Without a doubt this new invention poses way too much harm to dogs and only a CASH GRAB for the Inventors/Manufacturers/Sellers:
REASONS WHY THIS IS THE WORST PRODUCT ON THE MARKET?
1.) Gives irresponsible dog owners a false sense of security to leave their dog in a car during extreme heat or cold.
2.) Undermines the public message to NEVER LEAVE ONE'S DOG in the car - especially during extreme heat or cold alerts.
3.) It will encourage dog owners who before avoided leaving their dogs in the car to start doing so which will place more dogs in harms way - especially if the device fails or the dog owner does not notice or receive the text message warning.
4.) Text messages are being sent to the dog owner to warn them that the temparature in the car is increasing or decreasing to dangerous levels for their dog. If these persons ignored past public announcements about not leaving their pooches in the car - what will deter them from ignoring the text message warning?
5.) What about if the device fails? Does CIVIL ACTION LAWSUIT against the manufacturer remedy that a dog died needlessly?
6.) The use of the new e-collar will also reduce the incidents of the public getting involved and calling for help when they see a dog left alone inside a car during extreme weather. Seeing the dog collar used people will be under the impression that the dog owner must have received the alert text message and is on their way to the car - which might not be the case.
7.) The new electronic device is placed right around the neck of the dog where electromagnetic frequencies are emitted continuously and increasing the risk of thyroid cancer and brain cancer. Why not prevent this risk to the animal and just use common sense not to leave one's pooch inside a vehicle when going inside a mall to shop?
8.) The electronic collar detects when temperature levels rise beyond dangerous levels for a dog. However, not every dog has the same tolerance to extreme heat or cold especially if they already have a medical condition. Repeated exposures to extreme heat or cold environment inside a vehicle pose significant risk to the animal and can have adverse health effects.
Bottom line is that this new product only appears to offer a risk reduction option. When in fact it only will cause more harm to the dogs made to wear this gadget and to the general public that will be less inclined to stop leaving dogs inside a vehicle unattended.
Product Rating: 0 out of 10
If you are going to leave a pet in the car in hot weather at the very least leash it in using a chew proof leash (A thin steel cable works well) and leave All the windows all the way open.
Attention automobile manufacturers!! please introduce a child pet safety system that prevents the car from locking when when there is an child and pet in the back seat without someone in the drivers seat, and a system that automatically opens the windows in the event there is a person or pet in the car and the temperature exceeds a reasonably high temperature.