If your cat has a GPS tracker, your dog has a smart toy and your living room has a pet camera permanently pointed at the sofa, you’re not alone.
Our pets have officially entered the tech age – and Pete Wicks’ dog Rodney is no exception.
We’ve teamed up with the dog dad and animal lover to shine a light on the growing world of PetTech, from smart feeders and grooming gadgets, to light-up toys, pet cameras and techy collars.
And, as Pete discovered, our pets might have more gadgets than we do.
We’re going barking mad for PetTech
PetTech is becoming a big part of modern pet ownership. In the last year alone, we bought nearly 67 million PetTech products, spending almost £3 billion on gadgets designed to help us communicate with, care for and entertain our pets. That’s more than two PetTech purchases every second.
And we’re not just buying the basics.
There are now millions of electronic pet toys, grooming gadgets, automatic feeders, pet cameras and wearable devices in UK homes. Because, let’s be honest, if there’s a gadget promising to make our pets happier, or more entertained, it can be pretty tempting.
Pete knows the feeling.
“Everyone knows I treat my dogs like royalty – they’ve got more gadgets than me!”
But not every gadget is a hit
The problem is when our pets don’t get the memo.
That smart gadget we were convinced they’d love? Ignored.
Or the electronic toy that held their attention for approximately three minutes? Gathering dust.
And when our pets lose interest, those gadgets can end up forgotten in a cupboard.
But an unwanted PetTech gadget doesn’t have to be the end of the story.
Give your PetTech a second life
If that pet camera, grooming tool or smart toy is still working, why not pass it on?
A friend with a new puppy might be delighted with it – another pet might finally appreciate the gadget your own furry friend turned their nose up at!
You could also consider donating working electricals to a charity shop or animal charity, where accepted.
And if your PetTech has reached the end of its life, always recycle it
Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be reused, donated or recycled.
PetTech contains valuable materials that can be recovered and used again. Some products also contain batteries which cause dangerous fires if they’re crushed in bin lorries or waste facilities.
Pete’s giving his PetTech a second chance
Pete admits he’s been guilty of doing what many of us do – putting unwanted electricals in a drawer and telling himself he’ll sort them out later.
Sound familiar?
So now, he and his dogs Rodney and Eric are planning a trip to their local recycling point. And with over 30,000 reuse and recycling points across the UK, finding somewhere to take unwanted electricals could be easier than you think.
As Pete puts it:
“Once you know what to do, it’s no effort to do the right thing.“
So, next time you’re having a clear out, don’t forget to check the pet supplies cupboard.
That light-up ball might have been a flop…that automatic feeder might have been abandoned after one suspicious sniff…and that smart toy might still be waiting for its moment.
Give them a second chance.
If it’s still working, pass it on. If it’s reached the end of its life, recycle it.
Check out our Recycling Locator to find your nearest reuse or recycling point and give your unwanted PetTech the second life it deserves.
