How well does the tracking pet collars (Android's Find My Device Network) really work

 I was finally able to test the real-world performance of the Bluetooth cat collars mentioned in the last blog entry.

The cats had long ago shredded all the screen covers of the windows, which is why we always keep the windows closed. However, it has been very hot lately, and we wanted to open the windows just a crack to let some breeze in - but not wide enough for the cats to get out. Once a window is opened slightly, they are strong enough to push it open all the way, so we usually secure the windows with a long piece of plastic zip tie. The disadvantage of plastic zip ties, however, is that cats can easily chew through them.

This morning, our kasambahay informed me that Marmalade and Chocnut had managed to escape sometime during the night. Finding and coaxing Chocnut to come home was not a problem - just casually mentioning that we should hurry home to hunt for lizards was enough encouragement for her - but Marmalade was nowhere to be found.

Checking the Find My Device on my phone wasn’t very helpful, as it only said that he had last been seen in the vicinity of the Google Nest Speaker three hours ago. There were no updates, not even an approximate location on the map. I proceeded to mark the tag as lost, hoping to get a notification if the tag pings Google’s network of Android and Nest devices. I decided not to turn on the audible beep for the tag at this point since it might spook him further.

About 30 minutes later, I received a notification on my phone that the tag had been found nearby. Upon checking the app, it indeed showed an approximate location in our backyard. I quickly went to the back of the house and there was Marmalade, casually watering a papaya tree with his pee. He didn’t seem particularly bothered that I was there to bring him inside. He just looked at me innocently, as if to say, “What took you so long, hooman? I believe it’s time for treats, yes?”

I scooped him up and told him on the way inside the house to tell me what he had been up to the whole day - all the while wondering if I should look into GPS-capable trackers, especially for Marmalade.

Android's Find My Device user interface.

Overall verdict: The whole experience still needs a lot of improvements. I have been lucky that Marmalade and Chocnut didn't wander off far. In the end, it did function as it was supposed to do. I haven't had the opportunity to use the proximity tool of the app (it can say whether you are getting nearer or farther from the sensor if it is within range).