Kaspersky Lab and Search for Lost Pets

      Probably every pet owner would give a lot to be guaranteed to find their pet if it went missing. Kaspersky Lab understood this perfectly and presented a solution for finding and monitoring pets.

      The company entered the promising market of Bluetooth trackers and launched the PetKa service in Russia, designed to locate lost pets.

      According to estimates by Kaspersky Lab's internal research center, the market volume for such devices in Russia and the CIS countries will reach an impressive 8.7 billion rubles in 2024. Image: k-tag_ru

      How the PetKa system works

      The solution consists of two key elements. The first element is a physical Bluetooth tracker. The tag is attached to a dog’s or cat’s collar using the included silicone cover or metal ring. The device has water protection to the IPX5 standard, allowing the pet to walk in rain or snow.

      The second element is the free PetKa app for the Android operating system. This is where all the management takes place. In the app, the user can create a detailed profile of their pet, where they can enter its name, photos, breed, distinguishing features and even information from the veterinary passport. Through the app you can also track the pet’s movements on an online map and see its last known location.

      If the animal goes missing nearby, the owner can use the “Find Nearby” feature. It works based on data received from the tracker and allows sending an audible signal to the tag to make it easier to orient oneself in the area.

      The power of the community

      The idea of tracking objects with a Bluetooth tracker is not new and has long been used, so the most innovative part of the project can be called the creation of the so-called “Heroes Team.” This is a community of users who are ready to help each other search for lost animals. If a pet with a Kaspersky Tag gets lost far from home and leaves the range of the Bluetooth signal, the owner can activate a special SOS mode in the app.

      In this case, the animal’s profile becomes visible to all members of the community. As soon as the lost pet with the tag comes within the range of the Bluetooth module of another PetKa user’s phone, that user receives a push notification. This allows the disappearance to be detected quickly and for the owner to be contacted via the details listed in the profile.

      In general, Kaspersky Lab has found a new interpretation of an already tried-and-tested technology, which is a credit to their division that generates such ideas. Thanks to them the company offers not just a device but a comprehensive ecosystem combining technology and the power of the community.

      Probably the only drawback of the new product may turn out to be its price. Prices for Bluetooth tags shown on marketplaces start from 300 to 2,000 rubles. The Kaspersky Tag will cost the buyer a little more. Image: k-tag_ru

      The PetKa app is already available for download on RuStore and on the company’s website, and the Kaspersky Tag tracker can be purchased from the official distributor and on major marketplaces.