Whistle Labs, creator of the Whistle Activity Monitor for dogs, has added GPS to its pet-tracking device.
The new version, called WhistleGPS, adds to the device's current tracking abilities by letting owners monitor their dogs' locations, according to CNET.
The original Whistle model was shipped last fall. The new device is worn around the dog's neck, and is small enough to be used by different breeds.
The company claims WhistleGPS has the smallest form factor and the longest battery life of all pet trackers currently on the market, Tech Crunch reported.
Whistle added that 10 million pets are lost each year.
The tracker includes an accelerometer, and is enabled with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The battery life of the tracker lasts between eight and 12 days, CNET reported.
The startup is looking to take preorders for the device exclusively on its website during and after its price cut campaign, and will donate one device for the first 3,000 units sold to the Morris Animal Foundation Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. The study is a research program dedicated to understand how canine cancer develops, along with its leading causes.
"We know since we started the company that GPS is really important," said Steven Eidelman, co-founder and head of product for Whistle. "What's my dog doing, who's he with, is he safe, what's he doing."
The goal of the new tracker is to help owners build a better relationship with their pets.
"We think of this idea as quantified other," Eidelman said. "We're not telling you steps or points. We're trying to tell you the story of your dog's day."
The device will be available for $129, and will have a monthly GPS service of just $5, PC Magazine reported. Customers can preorder the device for only $49.
The company will begin shipping pre-ordered WhistleGPS in 2015.
