Looking For The Best GPS Tracker For Search & Rescue?
Tractive's there for all dogs - but when it comes to the special K9 Search and Rescue (SAR) dogs that help save the day, an accurate GPS tracker is more important than ever. Discover how Tractive helps SAR teams excel on their mission in this post.
“Pure gold.” That’s what Search and Rescue (SAR) teams across North America call the Tractive GPS Tracker. Our live GPS technology and location tracking are so accurate that the crews depend on it for their vital work during SAR missions.
It’s for the same reasons that more than 500,000 pet parents around the world trust Tractive to keep their pets safe – reliability and accuracy when they need it most, right down to their pet’s exact steps.
So what makes Tractive the best GPS for Search and Rescue missions? Let’s find out.
Ontario, Canada: SAR expert William Bolton & Sheba
In Ontario, Canada, Search and Rescue (SAR) expert William Bolton works cases along with his K9 partner Sheba (a 9-year-old Husky-Lab mix). Importantly, they count on Tractive devices during their searches, and it’s even helped to save a life!
After an 83-year-old man went missing for several days in 2017, Bolton, Sheba, and police used Tractive’s GPS technology to help find the man alive.
Using Sheba’s Tractive device to trace her every step, law enforcement were able to figure out exactly where they needed to search in order to find him.
Using Tractive for water searches
Sheba’s Tractive GPS also helps Bolton during water searches – where there are often no exact paths to follow or landmarks to return to. That’s why Bolton says Tractive’s Location History and LIVE Tracking are so imperative to use during their searches.
“While I’m out there, I don’t have time to be constantly checking my phone – I have to look at Sheba, the boat, and the water,” explained Bolton.
“So with Tractive’s Location History, I can go back after the fact to verify and validate our search area.“
Caitlin & Rowan
In Florida, SAR volunteer Caitlin and her K9 partner Rowan also depend on Tractive devices on their searches.
The pair recently became certified in SAR, a rigorous process which requires hundreds of hours of training. Rowan has spent his entire life working towards this certification – with Caitlin coaching him every step of the way.
“I needed a GPS device that wasn’t bulky or required me to carry around extra equipment during searches, so Tractive was perfect,” explained Caitlin.
My favorite feature is the LIVE tracking – it’s just so unbelievably accurate.
“I’ve seen many other pet GPS trackers that go on the collar. But none of them have been as accurate as Tractive’s. It’s second to none.”
Rowan is trained to track scents throughout all kinds of terrain. His nose leads him on a path that would be near-impossible to retrace without a K9 GPS tracker. That’s where Tractive comes in.
“If Rowan is ever out of my sight during a search, I can see exactly where he is on the app,” Caitlin said. “After the fact, I can look at the exact track of his search, step for step.”
“Tractive lets me download all of that information, which I include with my reports that I give to law enforcement.
It lets them see exactly where Rowan searched. So they can compare it to my personal phone’s GPS data as well as the other dogs and teams. Making sure the entire area was covered.”
Tractive DOG XL Adventure Edition: the best GPS for Search and Rescue
Tractive’s newest tracker – the Tractive DOG XL Adventure Edition – is offers everything a SAR team would need when it comes to GPS tracking. Here are some of the benefits of the new tracker:
- Bite-proof, extra tough fiberglass casing.
- 100% waterproof
- Unlimited range
- Battery lasts up to 1 month without charging.
Tractive connects to all major cellular networks to send GPS information straight to your phone. In fact, it works in over 175 countries worldwide – so you can track your pet even while on vacation.
- In Live GPS mode, your dog’s location updates every 2-3 seconds. That means no matter where your pet roams, Tractive is recording every step.
- Tractive’s Location History and Heat Map features allow you to figure out what spots your dog likes to hang out in most. So you can revisit their every step, even if you aren’t together.
All this and more makes Tractive the best GPS for Search and Rescue teams.
Want to see the Tractive DOG XL Adventure edition in action? Here’s the bite-proof, adventure-proof tracker you’ve been looking for – so you can run, swim, hike, and camp in the woods or wilderness, 100% stress-free.
