Preventing Lost Pets Goes High-Tech at the 2014 New York Pet Expo

The New York Pet Expo will offer some of the most exciting new pet product launches and technology options for pet owners who want to make sure their pets never become lost or homeless
By: Amazing Expos
 
NEW YORK - May 21, 2014 - PRLog -- In the United States, a pet is lost or stolen every two seconds. For those of us who consider pets family, the realization that our pet is missing would be a gut-wrenching and terrifying experience. Knowing some key facts about preventing lost pets or what to do when one goes missing can make all the difference between a tragedy and a happy ending. This year’s New York Pet Expo is expected to attract more than 12,000 pet lovers (and their closest pet pals) - and even though this annual event might be dubbed “The Ultimate Pet Party,” pet expo organizers know that pet safety is much more than just fun and games.

Seanna Tucker, Communications Manager for the New York Pet Expo explains, “Education is key when it comes to most aspects of sharing our life with pets and especially when it comes to keeping our pets safe from harm. The New York Pet Expo offers so much, but access to knowledge about how to be the best pet parent possible is one of our biggest priorities.”

Tragically, too many pets never make it back home for one simple reason: their owners didn’t know that having identification on a pet could save the pet’s life. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) reports that more than three million dogs and cats were euthanized in shelters last year. While most pet-loving Americans are shocked by these types of statistics, it would be especially heartbreaking if a family pet were needlessly euthanized only because an animal control or shelter couldn’t identify a pet’s owners.

According to a 2013 study conducted by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), of those pets who were microchipped and wearing collars with ID tags, 93% were reunited with their owners. When a pet becomes lost or stolen, one tip that most pet industry experts agree on is that pets should be microchipped and wear ID collars with easy-to-read contact information.

As Americans become even more reliant on using technology in their daily lives, they’re finding that new and improved tech-friendly options are being released all the time. Here are some easy tips to help ensure that your pet doesn’t become a statistic:

Microchips are mandatory. Did you know that only five-percent of the 130 million household pets in the US are microchipped? About the size of a grain of rice, a microchip contains a personal ID number that stays with your companion animal forever. And unlike a collar or ID tags, a microchip can’t break, fall off or be easily removed. Every chip comes imprinted with a digital bar code that can be scanned by shelters, veterinary professionals and rescues to reveal complete information about a pet’s owner. Any shelter, rescue or vet can microchip your pet, which is a safe and easy pain-free procedure that takes about 30 seconds to complete. Microchipping and registration costs vary depending on the microchip company. Discount microchipping will be available at the New York Pet Expo.

Missing pet posters are important, but there are better ways to get the word out. It may sound harsh, but with the growth of mobile media and ‘app-culture’ a missing pet poster may not be the best route to finding Fido. Instead, try a new app like Positive Identification of Pet (PiP). This app uses digital facial recognition technology to help pet owners find lost pets. If your pet goes missing, you can activate an alert which goes to animal shelters and clinics within a 15-mile radius of the pet’s last known location. Pip is a free app, $18.00 annual service fee.

Activate a PetAmberAlert. Everyone knows how an Amber Alert works for kids: When a child is missing, an Amber Alert is issued and the surrounding area, even the nation, goes to work to locate the child and return them safely home to their loved ones. PetAmberAlert.com uses the same advanced technology to help spread the word rapidly about a lost pet. When a pet is missing, pet owners can activate a PetAmberAlert, which sends out information (including photos and details) about lost pets to a database of thousands of neighbors, animal shelters, veterinarians, hospitals and pet supply stores within a 100-mile radius of where the pet was last seen. Pricing for this service starts at $39.95; visit PetAmberAlert.com for more information.

Consider a pet tracking collar. Advanced GPS and wireless technologies have come to the rescue with options for pet owners! A lightweight pet tracking device attaches to your dog's existing collar and is designed to be worn at all times. This device turns your pet’s existing collar into a GPS device which allows you to immediately locate your pet’s exact physical location online or via an app on your phone. A pet owner can even set up the device so that they’re notified by text, email and phone call if their pet has left a designated area. Two popular pet tracking devices are Tagg: The Pet Tracker ($99.95, plus a $7.95 monthly service fee)and the Garmin GTU 10 ($199.99, includes 12 months free service fee).

Use social media to your advantage: Connect with your local and regional animal shelters, rescues and vets via social media accounts like Facebook and Twitter. The staff and professionals at these organizations are all using social media to raise awareness of their brand and to communicate with community members. Many communities also have Facebook groups specifically for lost and found pets; search to see if your community does also. Post or send a message with photos and a description of your lost pet so that these social media pages can share!

Even though the New York Pet Expo is intended to serve as the region’s ultimate pet party, New York pet lovers can also benefit from oodles of advice and information, just like the tips above, provided by pet industry experts who’ll be participating in the event such as Shorty Rossi, star of Animal Planet’s “Pit Boss” & “America’s Cutest Pets”, and Harrison Forbes, Celebrity Pet Trainer and "NY Times" Bestselling Author.

The 2014 New York Pet Expo will take place on Saturday, May 31st, 2014 from 10am to 6pm, at the Nassau Coliseum. This indoor and air-conditioned event will more than 12,000 attendees along with their furry, feathered and reptilian pals who are looking to enjoy a new and one-of-a-kind experience where all pets are welcome. All well-behaved pets can attend, as long as they’re on a fixed lead (or in a carrier) and have proof of age-appropriate rabies vaccines.Tickets can be purchased at the door or at TicketMaster.com

The 2014 New York Pet Expo is produced by Amazing Expos, a leading event production firm that currently produces more than 39 large pet expos across the United States. For more information, call 800.977.3609, email info@newyorkpetexpo.com or visit us online athttp://www.newyorkpetexpo.com, orhttps://www.facebook.com/NewYorkPetExpo or https://twitter.com/AmazingPetExpo.

Contact
Seanna Tucker
***@amazingexpos.com
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Source:Amazing Expos
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Tags:Lost Pets, New York, Pet Expos, Harrison Forbes, Pet Safety
Industry:Event, Pets
Location:New York City - New York - United States
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