My name is Brittany and I am obsessed with animals.
And not just my two wonderful pups, Fiona and Penny, but all animals. Most of my life centers on animals in some wayI read about them, write about them, tweet about them, and advocate for their welfare. Oh, and Im a vegetarian. When Im not at my day job, Im playing with my dogs, or volunteering at the SPCA Serving Erie County, Soi Dog Foundation USA, Brightstar GSD Rescue, among others.
I just cant get enough! So it should be no surprise that my iPhone is loaded with animal- and pet-related apps. I figured if Im going to spend the money on the iPhone and Verizons soul-crushing monthly data plan, I might as well take advantage of as many (free) apps as I can. You may be thinking, Thats great; why dont you just make a Facebook page for your dogs and pretend to be them, since youre so obsessed? Too late, I already have.
But seriously: there are some really useful apps available on both the iOS and Android platforms that can make your life as a pet-parent a little bit easier.
Some of my favorites, in no particular order:
See all 5 photos MapMyDOGWALKSource: PetnTek
MapMyDOGWALK by MapMyFitness, Subaru
Let me begin by saying that I have been using the MapMyFitness platform for a couple of years now and I love that they have created the free, super easy-to-use MapMyDOGWALK app. If youre unfamiliar with MapMyFitness, here is a brief overview:
After creating a free membership, you log your workouts by mapping your route. You can make your route map as simple or as detailed as youd like, with options to add details about the terrain, the distance you covered, the time it took, the type and purpose of the workout. Did you walk, run, jog, or cycle? Was the activity for exercise or leisure? What was the terrain like? For whom is this route suited? When did you complete the route?
You can save your routes and reuse them if you complete them again on another day (great for those of us who train using the same routes a couple times per week). If you want to use the same route but are getting tired of the same routine, check out some ways to mix up your workout here.
The MapMyDOGWALK app syncs all of this information to your phone, allowing you to log new workouts and dog walks. Take your phone with you on your walkthis app also acts as a stopwatch for timing your route, and it will monitor your route through Live Tracking. You can also sync it up to different sensors to monitor your heart rate, bike cadence, bike speed, bike power, and stride.
I complete as many Challenges through this app as I can: Challenges motivate me to keep me movingright now Im completing 50 miles in 30 daysand ensure that my pups get enough exercise, too.
5 stars for MapMyDOGWALK
See all 5 photos PETA App Action Alert CenterSource: Apple iTunes
PETA by PETA
Help Animals with the Touch of a Finger
The free mobile app by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) allows the animal rights activist on the go to speak out against animal cruelty while well, on the go. This app alerts users to cruelty against animals and gives them the option to take action against cruelty as well as share alerts through Facebook and Twitter. Its really easy to use: with the touch of a button, the PETA app composes an e-mail to your congressmen, local government officials, or the relevant person or institution on your behalf, then sends you an e-mail alert to thank you for speaking up against a particular animal-cruelty issue. Every time you take action on an alert, you earn ten points; if you make a donation to PETA, which you can also do through this app, you earn fifty points. Points equal badgesmy PETA Rank is currently Ensign Elephant.
While I have no idea what that means, nor do I think the points or badges actually do anything, its nice to know that social media has made things a little simpler to speak up for animals who cant do so for themselves.
iKibble FreeSource: http://www.ipad2blogger.com/wp-content/uploads/201...
iKibble Free by Llamaface
I love this adorable (and free) app! Its especially useful for pet parents whose puplike mineeats anything and everything (and was, in fact, created by a couple pet parents who had the same problem with their pup).
If your pup has gotten hold of something he shouldnt have, and you werent quick enough to stop him from eating it, this app allows you to search for that food item; you can then see if it is safe for your pet to consume, or if you should be concerned that your pet ate it. The app will also let you know if certain parts of a food are okay for your pet to ingest: for example, apples get a 5-bone rating (meaning theyre super healthy for your best friend), but the app warns that apple seeds are toxic to your pet. Only the flesh and skin, please!
You can also browse the extensive list of foods and star your favorites. Luckily, all the foods that my pets really lovelike apples, bananas, and peanut butterare actually pretty good for them. Some foods will offer you neat tips for turning that item into a treat for your dog: try stuffing a toy with peanut butter, freezing the whole thing, and then offering it to your dog as a yummy source of fun.
One thing thats a little off-putting: at the bottom of each food, you can touch the Doggy Opinion Sound button to hear a pup sound of approval (or disapproval). The sound for an unapproved food is a little creepyit sounds like a pup squealing in pain or crying which makes me wonder where they obtained it.
See all 5 photos Heart of the Ark Cards for iPhoneSource: Apple iTunes
Heart of the Ark Cards by True North Productions
This app, based on Belinda Recios study of animals symbolism in society, was created to support animal welfare: according to a post on LinkedIn, Recio donates 5 percent of the proceeds from this app to the Humane Society of the United States.
Heart of the Ark is worth the $2.99 not just for animal lovers, but also lovers of literature and mythology, as well as history buffs. This app allows users to experience animals from symbolic and totemic perspectives; it includes an interactive deck of Ark Cards that each features a beautifully-illustrated animal along with its natural history and sociocultural symbolism. The cards also provide ways to incorporate an animals meaning into your life as a way of exploring the world around you. The app includes a Field Journal, too, which allows you to record your own encounters and experiences with animals, then import additional information from that animals Ark Card.
While this app may seem too New Age for some, I enjoy it because the artwork is truly beautiful, and the information and stories accompanying each card provide excellent points for further inquiry, research, and creativity.
See all 5 photos Petcentric by Nestle PurinaSource: Examiner.com
petcentric by Nestle Purina Petcare Co.
Another free app, petcentric is like a Yelp! for dogs. The home screen has options to browse pet-friendly lodging, parks and beaches, and restaurants, and provides information on traveling with pets, pet services, and pet-related events. You can do a search in any of these categories using your zip code or city and state; plus, you can add pet-friendly places to the list and even browse (or submit your own) photos and videos of locations and the furry clientele who frequent them.
See all 5 photos Info screen on My Dog.
My Dog by Dog Info USA LLC $1.99
This app is worth the $1.99 because it allows you to keep all of your pets (or pets') vital information in one place. You can enter lots of basic information about your pet, like her name, birthday, weight, and breed, as well as info on her veterinarian, vaccinations, medications, nutrition schedule, and recent and upcoming vet visits.
One feature that I truly appreciate is the ability to enter your dogs microchip ID number and the phone number for the microchip company. There have been a couple of times when Penny has run off and I was unable to call the company that monitors her microchip because the ID number and company phone number are attached to a tag on her collar. Having this information on hand could save your dogs lifeits also a constant reminder to set up an appointment for my vet to microchip Fiona!
If you forget when your pet took what, this app can keep you apprised of your pets current health. It also allows you to e-mail stored information to your veterinarian or other facility, like a boarding facility or dog daycare, that would require your pets medical history.
Apps for the Android
I have an iPhone so I havent used these apps; however, Ive researched them and read reviews so that I could provide a couple of suggestions for Android users who are looking for unique animal-related apps.
Pet First Aid by Jive Media, Inc. $2.99 (Also available on iOS platform)
Photos, videos, and step-by-step instructions guide you through pet first aid procedures that could save your dog or cats life when you need to act fast for your pets safety.
Fido Pet Adoptions (Android) by Politainment
This free app lets you search for adoptable pets both in your area and nationwideperfect for the future pet owner who wants to rescue a shelter dog rather than buy from a breeder.
52 Dog Tricks (Android) by itsRu
Teach your dog a new trick each week with this cool free app. You start out by learning how to teach your pet to respond to a training clicker (which really works!); then, you work with your pet on a new trick every week. The app provides some very useful tips and advice to help your pet learn each new trick. I wish this one were available for the iPhone!
Pets Next Door (Android) by Animal Compass Org.
Looking for a playmate for your pet? This app will connect you with pets in your area. Share your pets photo and story with local pets and pet parentsscope out a park where you can meet using petcentric, and you just might end up with the perfect play-date!
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