With today’s incredible technology, many things are available to help make life easier. We have apps to see who’s at the door, the option to speak to our kids through their baby monitors, and even make sure our beloved fur babies are okay using a pet cam.
Almost Calling it Quits
One loving cat owner nearly canceled his trip when he looked at his pet cam to find his cat was loudly “calling” for him. Jonah posted the video of his cat (see below), cleverly called Pawl, and quickly racked up more than 12 million views. Jonah and his partner were heading off on their trip when they decided to take a look at the pet cam. They found poor Pawl seemingly frantic. Jonah disclosed that although he hires someone to come and care for Pawl, having the pet cam is an added measure he takes when going out of town.
“Typically it’s a lot of him just laying around, or looking out the window looking at birds. This time when we checked the cameras it was Pawl roaming around the apartment with his fish making the saddest meows we’ve ever heard.” Jonah explained after seeing his pet cam. “We’re going to start practicing going in the car with Pawl to see how he handles road trips. He does already go for stroller rides and walks.” Jonah also explained.
Before the Pet Cam
“I found Pawl about four years ago. I had been living in an apartment on the ground floor for about a week and then a kitten showed up and started scratching at my window. We’ve been best friends ever since.” Jonah disclosed of his little buddy. “Most mornings I actually wake up the fish in front of my bedroom door because Pawls brings it to me every night. I like to think it’s his way of showing he’s thinking about me.” He lovingly added during an interview regarding the viral video on Pawl the cat’s Instagram page.
Cats Can Connect
While many people would argue that cats don’t connect with humans, others would argue the opposite. As it turns out, according to a 2019 article published on Science Alert, cats actually “securely bond” with their humans. A study showed some interesting findings, including cats may often prefer human interaction over interacting with toys or other animals. As a result, it’s not surprising that many cat owners feel as connected, if not more so, than dog owners.
It’s not uncommon for parents to worry about their fur babies. Even when hiring a capable, loving, and compassionate caregiver, there can still be some concern. Because many people consider their pets an extension of their own family, they go to great lengths to ensure they’re getting the best. Therefore, a pet cam is worth considering, especially if you travel regularly and want to check in on things. Alternatively, there are some pros and cons to consider.
Read: Law Allows Pets To Be Buried Alongside Their Humans At Cemeteries
Pet Cam Pros
Some of the benefits include knowing that your pet is cared for when and how you want, especially when paying for a service. Not to mention the ease and convenience of checking in throughout the day while at work or out running errands. Next, Pet Cams offer peace of mind and security because the homeowner can get real-time updates and alerts when strange or undesirable things happen in the home. Furthermore, some pet cams have interactive features such as a treat dispenser, which means fur parents can rest assured knowing their babies will get the same kind of “royal treatment” whether they’re home or not.
Pet Cam Cons
On the other hand, like everything in life, there are bound to be at least one or two downsides to using a pet cam. Ironically, the biggest downside to using a pet cam is security. Pet cam owners are seemingly easy targets for their systems to be hacked. The damage can be as simple as feeling violated but can be as extreme as being locked out of accounts and other password-sensitive programs, as well as their location to be discovered.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that having a pet cam or any other type of recording security device must be disclosed to people coming into your home to perform a job or service. Otherwise, there is always a possibility of being sued. Pet cams or other recording security devices are mostly advantageous. However, knowing exactly which brand or model is best can be tricky especially because new options seem to come out annually. According to a recent New York Times article, the best pet cam isn’t actually a pet cam at all. A compact security camera will do the same job, just as well as a pet cam.
Be aware that sometimes cameras can glitch, or people may do strange things, unaware they’re being recorded. Therefore, seeing something less than desirable on a security or pet camera is always possible.
Keep Reading: Heartbreaking Photo Series Captures The Raw Grief Of Owners As Their Pets Are Being Euthanized
Sources
- “5 pros and cons of pet security cameras.” First Street Pets. December 31, 2019.
- “Owner nearly abandons vacation after seeing heartbreaking footage on his pet cam.” Unilad. Kit Roberts September 27, 2023.
- “Cats Bond Securely to Their Humans Maybe Even More Than Dogs Do.” Science Alert Michelle Starr. September 23, 2019.