SOCIAL NETWORKING IN FUR, MEET THE SNiF® TAG

Urban pet owners make a huge commitment when they adopt a dog. Since most city dwellings don't have large spaces for dogs to run around, urban dogs need regular walks, a responsibility owners must fit in with their work, commuting, household responsibilities, and social activities. Social Networking in Fur, or SNiF®, has created a device that not only aids them in supervising their dog's health, but also helps urban dog owners combine social interaction with exercising their pet.

The SNiF® tag is a small disc, about the size and weight of a standard dog tag, that can be attached to a dog's collar. The tag uses a custom radio protocol to communicate with other other SNiF® tag-wearing dogs in the vicinity. Additionally, the tag employs high resolution force-sensing circuits and accompanying software to measure and log a dog's motions. By recording a dog's activities, the SNiF® tag identifies the animal's social group and provides the owner with a personal web interface for monitoring and configuring the tag's behavior. It sounds very high-tech, but what does all this actually mean?

Communicate with other SNiF® tags.

The SNiF® tag has two main functions. The first is to communicate with other SNiF® tags. Imagine a dog owner, Lola, and her poodle, Fifi. Lola has just bought Fifi a SNiF® tag. Now whenever Fifi meets another dog with a tag, lights will signify that an information transfer has taken place. The tag will record which other dogs Fifi spends the most time with. The tag can also warn Lola if a dog Fifi doesn't like is approaching. A flashing red light will alert Lola and allow her to handle the situation before it even has a chance to begin.

Monitor Activity Levels

Monitoring Fifi's activity levels is the second function. As she plays, the tag records Fifi's motions. Over time, Lola can observe trends in Fifi's behavior. Perhaps she might even be able to discern a health problem before Fifi displays any obvious symptoms.

After each excursion, the information collected on the tag will be relayed wirelessly from the base station to the SNiF® server. Information on Fifi's playmates and on her exertion levels is laid out for Lola to peruse. Lola can read about Fifi's playmates in the profiles created by their owners, or compare Fifi's activity levels to the recommended standards. Lola can even give her vet access to Fifi's records.

These monitoring functions are a great help for dog owners, allowing them to pay close attention to their dog's behavior without detracting from any of their other areas of responsibility. If they choose, owners can use the tag to monitor their dog's behavior while they are at work. The tag even lets an owner check up on a pet (or a pet sitter) when on vacation!

Love is in the air!

But perhaps the biggest benefit of all is the one from which the company takes its name. The SNiF® researchers noticed that, in urban areas, dog walking is a great way to meet other people. The SNiF® tag can help dog owners captialize on these meetings.Think again of Lola and Fifi. Fifi has really hit it off with Oscar the terrier. And Lola liked Oscar's owner, a friendly yoga teacher. Fifi's tag has recorded Oscar's information and marked him as a friend. So if Oscar goes out for a walk, Fifi's tag will flash "collar tones" specific to Oscar. This cue tells Lola that if she takes Fifi out, she h as a good chance of running into Oscar and his owner. Fifi will have a playmate and Lola will have the chance to get to know the yoga teacher a little better, and perhaps get some advice on improving her crow pose.

It should be noted that the SNiF® tag does not track a dog's specific location. It does not utilize GPS technology, nor is it a RFID (radio frequency identification) device. This helps maintain privacy. Additionally, SNiF® community members can choose what information to give out to which users. At any point members can change what they share with any other member. Additionally, users can revoke these permissions and block troublesome users completely.

And so, in a way, the SNiF® tag allows a dog to give a little something back to its owners. By using the tag, a dog owner not only makes it simpler to make sure their dog is healthy and happy, but they might also make some dog-tested and approved new friends.

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Snif Labs, Inc.was incorporated in July 2005. Their offices are in Boston and they are currently looking for beta testers. To sign up, to reserve a tag, or for more information, go to the SNiF® website, http://www.sniflabs.com. Tags will be available in select stores this winter!