Tanker the Lab Rescued From A Steel Beam Thanks To Tractive
With a little help from her dog's trusty Tractive device, here's how one of our Canadian pet parents was able to bring her buddy home safe & sound.
For many dog parents, coming home to find your dog missing is one of their worst fears come true. Early this year, Tanker, an adventurous Labrador, went missing in Nanaimo, BC – leaving his owner worried and searching. But with an incredible team effort between a caring community and Tanker’s Tractive GPS tracker, this story thankfully has a happy ending.
That morning Tanker went missing
Tanker’s mom, Maureen Ward, describes him as no stranger to getting himself in trouble. “He likes to hunt bunnies, unfortunately,” she explained. That’s why he wears a Tractive GPS on his collar, sending real-time location updates to Maureen’s smartphone.
It was a Thursday morning when she let Tanker and his sibling out of the house for a toilet break. According to her, that’s when the pair unexpectedly made a run for it.
Thankfully, Maureen was able to act fast. She checked her Tractive mobile app to follow Tanker’s movements in real-time – driving down to the location it showed. Tanker’s Labrador sibling soon spotted her and brought her to the Nanaimo Nickel Brothers yard.
Following his location via GPS, she discovered Tanker in a rather unexpected spot. “We went over to the blue bins first, because I heard him crying, but I couldn’t tell where,” she said.
“We ultimately found him inside this giant beam.”
A community-driven success
Poor Tanker was stuck in the opening of a steel beam on the site! Maureen quickly called 911 and the Cranberry Volunteer Fire Department was soon on its way. It wasn’t an easy rescue; getting to the spot where Tanker was stranded required careful navigation. But having an exact location turned what could have been a long, anxious search into a successful mission.
However, it was only after a grueling two hours and the decision to cut the steel beam open that Tanker was able to successfully escape. “They really took a lot of care to make sure and we stopped every once in a while to make sure he got a break,” Ward said. “Tank came out, turned around and licked and licked and licked.”
From Maureen’s vigilance to the incredible volunteers and rescuers who helped save Tanker – everyone played a role in getting him home. It’s such a wonderful reminder that when we come together and use the right tools, we can make such a huge difference.
How Tractive GPS trackers can help
This story is a powerful reminder of why GPS trackers for dogs aren’t just about knowing where your buddy is at all times. They can potentially save your dog’s life. With a Tractive device strapped to your dog’s collar, you can now follow their movements:
- In real-time,
- Over an unlimited range,
- Across a Heat Map of spots where they spend most of their time,
- And even on vacation (or 175 countries on a Premium subscription)
One way you can take action faster? Set up a “safe zone” around your home or backyard from your Tractive mobile app – i.e., where you’d like your dog to stay.
⚠️ Now the minute your dog leaves this “safe zone”…
…you get an escape alert. Helping you take action that much quicker, switch to LIVE tracking – and track down your dog in real-time, every time.
In this case, the Tractive GPS gave Maureen and the rescuers the exact information they needed to safely locate and help Tanker. Turning what could have been a tragedy into a triumphant rescue.
Read more: 10 Dogs Whose Lives Were Saved By Tractive
A happy ending
Besides Tanker’s rescue, the Nickel Brothers confirm that the steel beam can eventually be repaired. Maureen expressed her immense gratitude for everyone involved — the rescuers, the community, and Tractive GPS. Seeing Tanker safe and sound after what must have been a terrifying experience is something he’ll never forget.
“I would’ve never found him in this beam, I believe, if it hadn’t been for the device,” she said, describing Tanker’s Tractive GPS strapped to his collar. “He came out glorious.”
Ready to let your dog explore with 100% peace of mind?
If your dog is a bit of a wanderer, a Tractive GPS tracker might just be the peace of mind you need. Whether it’s making sure they don’t wander too far during off-leash walks or finding them quickly in an emergency, your trusty Tractive device can help keep your pet safe and bring them home – in real-time, every time.
Always know where your dog is
Follow every step in real-time with unlimited range. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Wellness Monitoring. And let others – like walkers or sitters – keep an eye on your dog too.
🐶 Got your own Tractive rescue story to share? Then drop us a kind word on Trustpilot or get in touch with us over Facebook or Instagram. Stay connected and discover a growing family of loving, responsible dog parents – just like you!
