To gain a deeper understanding of pet ownership in India, I conducted informal interviews with 8 dog owners across some Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities in India. These included working professionals, students, and families who owned dogs of various breeds and temperaments. The goal was to learn about their routines, concerns, and the tools they currently rely on to keep their pets safe.

We found that:

Losing a pet, even briefly, is a major source of anxiety. Several participants mentioned incidents where their dog slipped out of a gate or leash, and they had to ask neighbors or use WhatsApp groups to locate them.

None of the participants used a dedicated tracking device. Most relied on traditional methods like name tags, phone numbers on collars, or just keeping an eye on their dog during walks. Some experimented with AirTags but found the range or accuracy lacking.

Battery life and charging were seen as barriers. A common concern was forgetting to charge a device or the pet pulling it off. People wanted something that “just works” without needing constant maintenance.

Daily walks are often spontaneous. People didn’t track them, but liked the idea of seeing distance covered or time walked — not for fitness, but to build better habits.

Owners with busy routines wanted basic alerts. Not complex data — just a heads-up if their dog wasn’t moving for long or left a set area.