Why I Got My Cat a GPS Tracker – Bobby’s Story

Let me introduce you to Bobby - my biscuit-loving, catnip-obsessed, funny little man who struts the streets like he owns them. Bob’s been with me since he was a kitten, and although he started out feisty and totally not into cuddles, he’s grown into the most affectionate, dopey, lovable lad I could ever ask for. His nickname? Biscuit Bob - because that boy loves his biscuits.

Bob, Hols Pets, Cat Sitter, Cat Sitting Near Me, Tracker, GPS Tracker

Bob, Hols Pets, Cat Sitter, Cat Sitting Near Me, Tracker, GPS Tracker

He never usually strays far. He’s always been a local explorer - sticking to our street, maybe venturing into the nearby fields, but always returning home… until the day he didn’t. Panic set in immediately. I couldn’t help but think back to what happened with Walter.

Walter was another one of my cats - a fully black, sweet-natured boy who adored people, other cats, and even dogs. He went missing back in 2010, and despite years of searching, flyers, and social media posts, we never found him. His microchip was registered as missing, and with him being fully black, it was hard for anyone to tell him apart from others. Eventually, I had to accept that he may have passed away.

Roley & Walter, Pet Sitter, Hols Pets, Bobbys Story, GPS Tracker

Timmy, Roley & Walter, Rusty, Maisie, Jay, Pet Sitter, Hols Pets, Bobbys Story, GPS Tracker

But then, years later, I got a call from a local vet asking if I owned a cat named Walter. I braced myself for bad news, assuming the worst - but to my utter shock, he was alive and well… and had been living just two streets away for ten years.

An elderly couple had taken him in after he started visiting their garden. They fed him chicken - honestly, what cat could resist? - and assumed he was a stray. They never checked for a microchip, never took him to the vet, and just started calling him Boris. He had personalised bowls, his own blankets, and dedicated napping spots. The only reason they took him to the vet this time was because they were moving house!

It was bittersweet. I had searched so hard for him, only to find out he was right around the corner all that time. But after ten years, he was clearly their cat now. I couldn’t take him back and try to reintegrate him into our now four-cat household. He’d just go looking for them, and they’d be gone. So, with a heavy heart, I signed him over and said goodbye to Boris. At least I knew he’d had a good life.

So when Bob went missing, all I could think about was Walter (now Boris). I couldn’t bear the thought of it happening again.

A week went by. No sign. I was heartbroken. I decided to take matters into my own hands -social media didn’t help much with Walter, especially with elderly neighbours who might not even use it - so I dropped flyers through every house on the estate. I couldn’t shake the thought that someone might think he was a stray and take him in, just like before.

Then I got a phone call.

A neighbour a few doors down said she’d received my flyer and remembered hearing noises in her garage. Turns out Bob had snuck in during her gardener’s visit - a week ago - and been stuck inside the whole time.

I ran to her house. As soon as he saw me, he started meowing and pawing at me. I scooped him up and took him straight to the vets. Thankfully, he was absolutely fine - just hungry, tired, and a little traumatised (thank you, biscuit addiction, for helping him stay a little plump and resilient!).

After a few weeks indoors recovering, I was not going to take any chances again. I ordered the Tractive GPS tracker for cats, and honestly - it’s been a game changer.

It arrived quickly, was simple to set up, and now I can see where Bob is at any time. I can follow his routes, see where he naps, where he visits most, and even track when he’s asleep or active. If I need to find him quickly, I can turn on a light or sound alert on the tracker. Bob’s clever - he now knows that when he hears the sound, it means I’ve got a Dreamie Cat Treat waiting, and I watch him sprint home down the road on the live map. It’s brilliant.

Yes, it’s another gadget to charge every few days, but the peace of mind is so worth it. I’ll never go through that kind of heartbreak again if I can help it.

If you’re thinking about getting a tracker for your cat, I genuinely recommend it. And if you want to give it a try, here’s a referral link to get 30% off your own Tractive GPS tracker: https://tractive.com/r/9znTWT

Keep your furry explorer safe - and yourself sane. 🐾

Until next time, happy pet parenting!

Love, Holly x