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Australian Dog Lover
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The moment every pet owner dreads—coming home to an open gate and an empty house—is what sparked a Melbourne dog lover to create a smarter way to reunite lost pets with their families.
For Laura Rust, a Melbourne mum, the panic was real when she discovered her beloved Labradoodle, Ziggy, had managed to escape. This experience highlighted the severe limitations of relying solely on a traditional engraved tag. In an age where most people ignore calls from unknown numbers, a simple phone number isn't always enough to get a pet home quickly.
Rust realised a more comprehensive solution was needed—one that empowers the person who finds the pet with all the necessary information, while also giving the owner a digital tool to track their pet's approximate location.
The Smart Tag Revolution: Meet PetFindr
The result of this insight is PetFindr: a secure, waterproof, silicone smart tag that easily attaches to a dog's collar.
The PetFindr tag features a unique QR code. When scanned, this code instantly opens the pet’s full profile, simultaneously triggering an instant scan notification and sending the pet's GPS coordinates directly to the owner's phone.
But it’s more than just a smart tag; it also houses a Bluetooth smart tracker, allowing owners to view their dog’s approximate location directly from their smartphone.
“When a pet is lost, they’re often within just one kilometre of home,” says Rust.
“By including the pet’s home address in their profile, it allows the person who finds them to walk them straight home - avoiding the stress of a microchip scan at the vet or a trip to an animal shelter.”
Easing the Burden on Vets and Shelters
The issue of lost pets is a significant one across Australia, placing immense pressure on animal care services. Vets, already busy treating sick animals, are often surrendered lost pets. This forces them to stop their regular duties to scan microchips, attempt to contact the owner, and, if unsuccessful, arrange for council collection.
Similarly, shelters across Australia are inundated. Staff are under increasing pressure to care for animals that, with a better system, could have been returned home directly.
“With our simple solution,” Rust explains, “we help reunite lost pets and their owners quickly - reducing the reliance on vets and rescue shelters.”
This feature displays the pet’s location whenever any smartphone running these networks is nearby, creating a reassuring digital trail for owners to follow while searching, particularly effective in suburban areas.
“Most dog owners know that sinking feeling when a gate is left open or your pup slips the lead,” says Rust. “PetFindr gives you peace of mind that if it happens, you’ve given your pet the best possible chance of coming home quickly.”
Demonstrating their commitment to the wider pet community, PetFindr also donates $1 from every order to local animal shelters, directly easing the burden on the facilities that are often the first stop for missing pets.
How to Get Your PetFindr Smart Tag
The PetFindr Findr Tag + Smart Tag Bundle (which includes the Pet Profile and Location Tracking) is available now for $55 at www.petfindr.com.au. New customers who join the PetFindr community can receive 10% off their first order.
Connect with PetFindr:
“Most dog owners know that sinking feeling when a gate is left open or your pup slips the lead,” says Rust. “PetFindr gives you peace of mind that if it happens, you’ve given your pet the best possible chance of coming home quickly.”
Demonstrating their commitment to the wider pet community, PetFindr also donates $1 from every order to local animal shelters, directly easing the burden on the facilities that are often the first stop for missing pets.
How to Get Your PetFindr Smart Tag
The PetFindr Findr Tag + Smart Tag Bundle (which includes the Pet Profile and Location Tracking) is available now for $55 at www.petfindr.com.au. New customers who join the PetFindr community can receive 10% off their first order.
Connect with PetFindr:
- Instagram: @petfindr_
- Facebook: @petfindr_
Based in Melbourne and founded in 2025, PetFindr is on a mission to reduce the number of lost pets entering shelters by combining smart technology, sustainability, and community compassion. Each product is designed with pet safety and owner peace of mind at its core.
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