This blog post is for all you pet owners out there who are looking for an easy and affordable way to keep track of your furry loved ones. This DIY GPS Tracker will show you how to make a tracker in 10 simple, easy steps with supplies from around the house. You don’t need any electronics skills or knowledge to complete this project! Let’s get started!
How to Make a DIY GPS Dog Tracker in 10 Steps
Still, wondering how to make a DIY GPS dog tracker? here is a complete step-by-step guide, following this guide you can find the list of equipment required for this DIY task.
- =>Step 1: Get a waterproof case
- =>Step 2: Drill holes for GPS and Wifi antenna
- =>Step 3: Add on an Adafruit GPS module to the back of your makeshift enclosure
- =>Step 4: Connecting the cables inside your enclosure
- =>Step 5: Attach wires to battery terminals or make wire connections and then put them into the battery compartment. => Step 6 – Wrap wire around screwdriver handle, insert the metal blade in loops and twist tightly. Repeat until you have made enough contacts with both ends of short lengths of wire. Outfit one end with alligator clip as shown below. This will be positive.=> Step 7: Make a connection to the breadboard or other circuit board for the signal receiver.
- =>Step 8: Put the GPS module in place and then attach antennas.
- => Step 9 – Insert your battery, attached to wires with alligator clips, into the closed case. Attach one antenna to GND and GPS. Next, attach another end of the antenna to the breadboard.
- => Step 10 – Use a USB connector to connect the tracker to your computer. The case should now look something like this:
You’re almost finished! The last step is to download the Cat Tracker App. It’s free, easy, and fun! This app measures distance traveled, so it’s perfect for letting you know when your pet is getting too far away from home. It even provides a real-time map of the tracker’s location.
Test out your tracker to make sure everything is working correctly! Then, let’s see how well your puppy responds to commands from this distance… This DIY GPS Tracker is the perfect solution for any pets who tend to roam. Keep an eye on your furry friend with this fun, easy, and inexpensive project!
You might also like our recent articles on the extra-large dog water dispenser and wireless dog fence 5 acres available on the separate page.
Parts Needed for a DIY GPS Dog Tracker:
- => 1 The case from one of your old smartphones – waterproof and rugged or carry the device in a backpack, purse, or pocket.
- => adhesive to attach GPS antenna
- => cable ties (or zip ties) for mounting wires to case surface => 3D printed bracket/connector for wifi antenna
- => cell phone charger cable (not shown), which will ultimately run to the device once it’s strapped on an animal.
- => Adafruit Ultimate GPS Breakout
- => 2x 20mm x 3M PCI T1-3/4 Antenna (better than 5dbi) – $7 on eBay
- => Breadboard and breadboard wires
- => An old USB charger cable, which will run from the battery to our sealed enclosure, where you’ll connect it via a small breadboard
- => A Raspberry Pi Zero (not shown) – or a Spark Core, which will run OpenCV
- => Three large alligator clips for connecting wires
Average Cost to Make a DIY Dog Tracker:
$35 for all the parts – if you’re crafty, make a case from a plastic container and use an old microSD card to contain the tracker software.
You may make it in less, but that will definitely create challenges for you while operating. This should take about an hour to create and then about 4-8 hours of programming/setting and troubleshooting.
Benefits of Using a GPS Dog Tracker
- Safety
- Tracking
- Preventing your pet from wandering off too far
- Identify areas of movement
- Help with the pet recovery
Safety, tracking, and preventing your pet from wandering off too far are the main benefits of using a DIY dog tracker. In addition to these, you can also identify areas where your pet has been for training purposes or even help with the animal recovery if they’re lost.
Making a homemade GPS tracker is easy enough that anyone can do it and doesn’t cost much either. It’s beneficial for people who have pets that often wander away from home and those who live in an area where their pets could be at risk of being stolen or taken by predators.
The DIY dog tracker provides peace of mind while out on walks with your furry friend and will allow them more freedom than ever before!
Can I Use Dog Tracker for my Cat?
Absolutely! Cats are natural hunters and love to roam, but this can involve them leaving your property.
A device like this will help you monitor their movements without having to keep a close eye on them at all times or worrying about what they’re doing while out in the great outdoors.
More than anything, this device will provide you with relief if your cat starts wandering off somewhere you don’t want it to go.
For example, if the tracking data shows that your pet is heading towards a busy intersection or entering an area full of dangerous predators like coyotes and mountain lions, you can quickly react and head in the direction of your pet to track it down or get it safely out of harm’s way.
What Can You Learn From a DIY GPS Tracker?
Analyzing your pet’s daily routine – Knowing when they leave and return home can help you know when they’re likely to get lost and help you document their daily movements on the map.
This will allow you to know how much freedom they have at any given time, especially when they’re out in the yard, and can help you decide what areas are safe for them to travel to.
Possible dangerous places – If your pet tends to go to certain places that worry you, like a busy street or even into an area with predators like coyotes or tigers, you’ll know to keep it on a short leash or, better yet, not let them go there.
Identifying other pets – If you have more than one pet and they like to patrol the yard together, this tracker will allow you to tell when they’re out and where they’re headed, as well as who’s with them and whether they’ll be safe.
Identify when your pet is sick – While no tracker can tell you if your dog or cat has a disease, being able to track its movements over time and observe when it’s not doing anything will alert you to the fact that something may be wrong with it.
For example, cats often have seizures that don’t last very long, so you’ll have to be quick about getting the data from the tracker, but if you know what your cat’s typical day is like, you can compare it to days when they’re not acting right.
Conclusion
This DIY GPS tracker for dogs and cats allows them to explore the world while keeping you connected in an emergency. It’s easy, fun to make, and even more fun to use!
GPS trackers are essential devices as they help you in finding your missing pet. They can even be beneficial if your pet gets lost and you want to find the exact area where they were last located.
You can get a GPS tracking device from some of the most well-known companies which are available online.
However, making your own tracker may cost less than $40 for the basic ones and around $200 for the advanced versions. You can even buy a ready-made GPS tracking device from your local pet store.
The DIY version is a great way to follow the movement of your cat or dog, wherever they may be!
Now you can track them down whether it’s on a lost hiking trip in the woods or when they get away from home and visit their favorite places!