Lost Pets Will be Homeward Bound with New QR Code Pet Tags

Founder Peter Winkler and Family Pet Tia

The RSPCA Report that over 250,000 cats and dogs go missing annually.

Now a Rochdale-based company is hoping to help reduce this statistic with their new coded pet tags. Homeward Bound ID Tags, which utilise the latest ‘QR’ code technology, are linked to online pet profile pages that contain useful information about the pet and contact information for their owners.

The coded tags can be read using any smart phone or internet-enabled device making the reunion of lost pets and worried owners a faster and less stressful process.

Company Founder, Peter Winkler, explains: “Each tag is printed a unique 2D code linking it to a web page which contains information about the pet wearing it. The owner can manage and update their pets details as often as they like just by logging into the ‘Homeward Bound’ website. Any changes are shown instantly and there are no update charges like you have to pay with micro-chips. If your pet is ever lost the code can be read by whoever finds them in seconds, using any smart phone. The profile can still be accessed without a smart phone by simply entering the tag URL into any PC web browser.”

The idea is based on the increasingly popular ‘QR’ (short for ‘Quick Response’) code technology which is becoming more and more commonplace in our day-to-day lives, and the widespread use of web-enabled smart phones.

Peter added: “The real beauty of the system lies in the fact that it is instant and free to update and members of the public can get comprehensive, up-to-date contact information about a lost animal at any time without having to get it to a vet or an animal shelter with specialist chip-scanning equipment. This means less stress for the lost animal and a faster reunion with its owner.”

The idea came about following a holiday to the New Forest, where the family’s pet Labrador, Tia, went missing. Tia was quickly found safe and well, but it was during the search that it dawned on the family that all the records shown on her micro-chip and engraved tags were for an empty house back in Rochdale. Had she been found by someone else, how would they have known where to return her to?

The product is not intended as an alternative to micro-chipping but rather as an advanced tag which eliminates the need for a lost pet to be taken to the vets for its chip to be scanned.

The tags are available online by visiting www.homewardboundidtags.co.uk and the company are presently introducing the product to local and national retailers, vets and pet shelters to ensure that this simple and affordable product can become commonplace on the collars of our nations much-loved family pets.

That's Gardening: "The Grass is greener with Dog Rocks"

That's Gardening: "The Grass is greener with Dog Rocks": Dog Rocks are pleased to announce that the product is now available through Solus Garden & Leisure Ltd, the UK’s No 1 Garden Centre whole...

Over Half Of Britain's Dog Owners Lavish More Attention On Pets Than Partners On Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a day we take out of the year to show our loved ones how much we care and it seems Britain's dog owners are making no exception in showing their beloved pets how much they care as a new survey reveals.

Over half (56%) of the UK's dog owners have been accused of spending more time or lavishing more attention on their dogs, than partners.

According to the recent survey carried out on behalf of UrbanPup.com, of the 1,068 dog owners questioned, an astonishing 70% are planning to spend the day doing their pets favourite things – such as a trip to the beach or long walks in countryside, which is just aswell as 18% will receive a specially prepared meal on the day.

Denis Kelly, owner of pet fashion retailer UrbanPup.com offered his thoughts on the findings: "We've known for years that dog owners really do cherish their pets and these findings show just that. Over 61% of the owners spoken to said the best thing about owning a dog is the unconditional love and so owners might be taking a day out to show just how much their pet means to them but they feel it's reciprocated day after day by the love and companionship their pets show them."

23% of Britain's dogs will receive special gifts bought especially for them to celebrate Valentine's Day costing on average £10 GBP however a lucky 4% will have gifts worth more than £100 GBP waiting for them to open on the special day.

Collars and leads are the most favoured present, with pampering sessions as doggy spas and groomers followed by new beds topping the list of most bought presents.

K9 Magazine editor Ryan O'Meara offered his advice, “The fact that over half of all dog owners are prepared to be told they're 'spending too much time with the dog' on Valentine's day shows just what our pets mean to us.

"This may be a special day when we make an extra special effort to show our loved ones just how much they mean to us and this research shows that pets aren't excluded from our thinking. And as a fully fledged member of the family – why not!”

Confused.com guides pet owners through the minefield of pet insurance

Confused.com has launched its revamped pet (cat and dog) insurance comparison service. The service is more user-friendly, with a quicker quote process and with more insurers to choose from meaning pet owners are armed with all the information needed to make a more informed decision. Confused.com's comparison service makes it easy for customers to compare pet insurance.

Pet insurance can provide valuable peace of mind against unexpected and expensive vets bills; the cost of unexpected operations, expensive treatments and even help with the cost of searching for a missing pet. One simple form searches all Confused.com's pet insurers and will compare the best quotes for your pet.

Confused.com is not a broker, so the website will only offer clear and impartial quotes. With the increased choice of insurers on the panel dog insurance policies can cost as little as £6.29 a month and cat insurance policies can start at £3.13 a month.

Clarissa Baldwin, CEO of Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity said: "Your dog is part of the family and deserves to get the best possible veterinary care when necessary. There is no National Health Service for pets, and veterinary fees continue to rise at a faster rate than general inflation. If you can afford it, we would certainly recommend taking out pet insurance.

"Pet insurance may seem expensive, but it really could mean the difference between life and death for your pet. It would be heart breaking to have your dog put to sleep just because you couldn't afford the necessary veterinary treatment. If your dog is lucky you may never have to claim any money back, but at the very least it really does give you peace of mind."

Kate Rose, Head of Pet Insurance at Confused.com continued: "Finding the right pet insurance policy can be a difficult and confusing task, you want to be able to find a policy that covers your pet for everything it needs but a policy that is also cost effective, that's where Confused.com's new webpage can help.

"With an easy and effective website and a number of pet insurers on its panels you can get the exact cover that you need for your pet. Also with policies starting as little as £3.13 why now compare now and get the cover your pet deserves."

To make it easy for customers to compare prices, Confused.com have put together a best buy table for pet insurance, allowing pet owners to see at a glance companies that provide the best deal for certain criteria. Users will be able to filter out cover for Accident only, Time limited, Maximum benefit and Lifetime cover types, and be presented with the best monthly price for their Dog or Cat.