PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tracking your pet’s well-being is only a Whistle away. On March 2, PetSmart® (NASDAQ: PETM) will be the exclusive pet retailer to sell the Whistle Activity Monitor, a new device that allows pet parents to keep tabs on how much their dogs are walking, playing and resting. Similar to popular human fitness devices, the Whistle Activity Monitor measures a dog’s activity and rest for a deeper picture of health and wellness over time.
The Whistle Activity Monitor is a sleek device that attaches to the dog’s existing collar and collects data on activities throughout the day and night then wirelessly sends the information to a connected smartphone. Whistle’s free mobile app is available for both Apple and Android devices.
“Knowing our pets’ health and happiness gives us peace of mind, and the Whistle Activity Monitor provides a way to enhance this understanding and bonding with our pets,” said Laurie Taylor, PetSmart’s vice president of dog and cat merchandising. “PetSmart is excited to introduce the Whistle Activity Monitor in stores nationally so our customers can be even more connected to their dogs.”
The Whistle Activity Monitor creates a timeline of the dog’s day with easy-to-understand insights formed using weight, age, breed and location. Beyond the daily snapshot, trends are tracked over time. This information – such as more or less sleep or a change in activity – can help pet parents and their veterinarians make more informed health and lifestyle decisions. Whether at work, on vacation or at home on the couch, pet parents can get updates on their dogs’ activities and stay connected from anywhere with one click on their smartphones.
“Whistle is about understanding our pets’ health and making the bonds with our pets even stronger,” said Whistle CEO and co-founder Ben Jacobs. “We’re making key health and lifestyle information accessible to pet owners anywhere at any time, so they can make more informed decisions and add years to their dogs’ lives.”
Pet parents can set daily goals, keep tabs on progress and trends, and add photos with comments. Friends and family can join the fun and view special moments through the app. Sharing features allow dog owners to provide updates to their favorite social networks, including Facebook and Twitter.
Whistle Product Highlights:
- Stylish and Functional Design – sleek device that is shockproof and waterproof. Goes everywhere your dog goes and can be attached to any dog collar.
- Activity Graph – shows how much play, exercise and rest your dog gets daily and over time.
- Remote Monitoring – allows you to stay connected to your dog, whether you’re at home, work or away on vacation.
- Shared Access and Social – additional people can be designated as “owners” so you can communicate about your pet with loved ones, dog walkers, etc. Highlights can be shared through your favorite social networks.
- Connectivity – Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support for quick access to data.
- Mobile App – works with Apple and Android devices.
- Battery Life – lasts up to 10 days before recharging.
Priced at $129.95, the Whistle Activity Monitor will be available in PetSmart stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as online. There are no additional service fees or subscriptions for the device or companion application.
Tails and Trails Dog Experiences Guide
Whistle and PetSmart have teamed up to offer the first insider’s experience guide for dog owners – Tails and Trails – to discover new local trails and activities for their pets in cities across the United States. The guide is filled with curated dog-friendly trails, parks and recommendations on eateries for dog owners to enjoy with their furry family members. Places featured in Tails and Trails include local favorites and best-kept secrets to give dog owners new opportunities to enjoy memorable experiences and special sights with their dogs, increasing the bond and connection of this treasured relationship.
The Tails and Trails experience guide is initially available online for San Francisco, Phoenix, New York City, Seattle and Austin, Texas. The full guide for the top 50 U.S. cities will be available this summer both online and in print at PetSmart stores.
PetSmart is the largest specialty pet retailer in North America with gifts and services for every type of pet. For more information on products, deals and store hours, visit www.petsmart.com.
About PetSmart
PetSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETM) is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets and is a leading online provider of pet supplies and pet care information (http://www.petsmart.com). The company employs approximately 54,000 associates and operates more than 1,314 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, and over 196 in-store PetSmart® PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products; and offers dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp SM day care services and pet adoption services. Through its in-store pet adoption partnership with PetSmart Charities®, PetSmart has helped save the lives of more than 5 million pets since 1994. PetSmart Charities, Inc. and PetSmart Charities of Canada, Inc. (“PetSmart Charities”) are independent, nonprofit organizations that save the lives of homeless pets and reduce shelter intake through spay/neuter efforts. In 2012, nearly 450,000 dogs and cats found homes through PetSmart Charities’ adoption centers in all PetSmart stores and by sponsoring community adoption events. PetSmart Charities is the leader in granting money to help pets in need, with more than $28 million given in 2012 throughout North America.
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About Whistle
Whistle is creating a new standard for pet health and wellness by providing pet owners with a window into their dogs’ lives. Through intuitive devices and a large comparative database of pet health information, Whistle is fueling new groundbreaking insights to transform veterinary research and preventative care. The company has established relationships with leading academic institutions, including University of Pennsylvania’s renowned Veterinary Clinical Investigations Center, to conduct studies employing Whistle’s devices and data. Additionally, Whistle has also has created an advisory council of vets across the country from private practitioners to cardiology professors, who collaborate and communicate with the broader medical and research community. All Whistle devices connect to a first-of-its-kind database that will establish the definitive set of standards on dog health. For more information about Whistle visit www.whistle.com.
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