Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post Search
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

GPS Trackers Reveal Your Cat’s Adventures During The Night
User submission
39.5K
248.3K

GPS Trackers Reveal Your Cat’s Adventures During The Night

ADVERTISEMENT

If you let your house cat outside and think it stays near your house, think again. Recent research used GPS trackers to show the daily movement of domestic cats, and its results surprised their owners.

“When you speak to a lot of cat owners, they say: “Oh my cat just sleeps on the end of my bed, it doesn’t go anywhere,” senior land service officer Peter Evans said. Because of the cat GPS, it turns out some of them have “gone three kilometers from home.”

“I thought Semi particularly would be a lazy cat — bottom of the garden or next door’s yard,” one of the pet owners said. He was shocked when he saw the GPS map and learned that Semi was going into bushland and “over the hill and far away.” The owner is guessing that the cat is “looking for food, which is probably the primary thing because he’s usually around eight and a half kilos which [the vet says] is far, far too heavy.”

The cat tracker survey was carried out by The Central Tablelands LLS at Lithgow, in central-west New South Wales.

More info: centraltablelands.lls.nsw.gov.au (h/t: designyoutrust)

A lot of cat owners say: “Oh my cat just sleeps on the end of my bed, it doesn’t go anywhere”

Turns out some of the cats have “gone three kilometres from home”

ADVERTISEMENT

“I thought Semi particularly would be just local — bottom of the garden or next door’s yard,” one of the pet owners said

He was shocked when he learned that Semi was going into bushland and “over the hill and far away”

ADVERTISEMENT

“Looking for food… is probably the primary thing because he’s usually around eight and a half kilos which [the vet says] is far, far too heavy”

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

248Kviews

Share on Facebook
You May Like
Popular on Bored Panda
Hey pandas, what do you think?
Add photo comments
POST
celiamcdaniel avatar
chicorose avatar
Rose Martin
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to reply to Vermilion some cats have many homes my cat belongs to the neighbor but I feed her and she sleeps with me and she is loved by the whole neighborhood. many people let "stray" cats into they're house to feed them or give them water they don't just go ghost like through walls unless of course they are ghosts!

Load More Replies...
troux avatar
Troux
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are some of these very accurate and realistic, meandering paths around obstacles, and some are beelines for long distances that go directly through objects? Makes me think it could be GPS error that's sending them far away and back again.

chojnackichris avatar
Christian Chojnacki
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Probably updates location every few minutes or so depending on how strong the signal is... or cats are just magic and can walk through walls while we sleep

Load More Replies...
rainbowswirllaughter avatar
laura_johnston_334 avatar
Laura Johnston
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can! They sell small camera's that get strapped onto the cats collar. They were about 150.00 when they first came out a few years ago.

Load More Replies...
camicat666 avatar
Violet Camicat
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can recommend the BBC documentary 'Horizon: The Secret Life Of The Cat' on this topic. People of a town in England have let their cats take part in an experiment. The pets got GPS trackers and also cameras and owners were quite surprised what lives their little fur mates are leading.

melissa-p-spencer-3 avatar
Melissa Spencer
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This points out the dangers of letting your cats roam. Look at all those streets they cross.

sassybooie avatar
Meeow
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now this is very interesting to see how far your cat would go. But then again why would you leave your cat out at night though. There is so many predators out there can easily harm your pet. BTW get the small camera's that get strapped onto the cats collar. Maybe this can help the pet owner find the lost baby as well.

apai_mcguire avatar
Apai Mcguire
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i think of these cat are working with FBI or doing some illegal business. seems like the have to meet someone at the hill side...maybe a spy....hahaha...just kidding

kannecat avatar
Kat
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We keep our cat in during the night. But during the day he goes out and lays on my porch or under the small tree that is next to our porch. He seriously doesn't leave the yard, maybe he is just an oddball.

lemsip avatar
lemsip
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's usually the alpha male cats who are wandering further as they have larger territories. Female cats stay closer to home.

Load More Replies...
dvidfrisch avatar
Dávid Frisch
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol all these manlet americans who keep their cats inside, such loosers. If you want an inside animal buy some fish, i hate people who keep their cats inside, same as people who keep their dog in the garden for their whole life - and no, cats and dogs are should not be kept in a flat. cats are predators, they are killing machines who have fun killing other animals - you know, stuff predators usually enjoy. My cat kill birds, a lot of them, he lays them out in front of the porch and i pet him on the head since he is such a clever predator.

dvidfrisch avatar
bipul_phi avatar
Le Bug
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mind Checking the Gps horizontal Accuracy values for the time range? Discard points with accuracy values > 65 metres (wifi accuracy). Then you have a more dependable trace of the Cat in question.

helen-mazzer-1 avatar
Helen Frances
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I clicked on this because it said cats at night. Cats should be kept in at night. it keeps them safe from bigger predators and also away from sleeping birdies.

vieiramesquita avatar
Vinicius Vieira Mesquita
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are true photos with some GPS errors , it's common to occur :3, the number of avaliable GPS satellites in the moment, hight structures and closed vegetation canopy have an great influence over mistakes in the data collection.

etaylor34 avatar
Liz Taylor
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please keep your car indoors unless you want to risk him being mauled by a dog, hit by a car, poisoned by a cat hater, stolen by an a- hole to use as bait in dog fights, not to mention picking up serious diseases. Please just keep him inside.

rheacabalida avatar
Rhea cabalida
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is great! But don't you think it will also be helpful if you track your kids the same way? I found this article that lists the best GPS wearables for children! Check them out! https://www.lifechacha.com/best-kids-gps-tracker/

jenolivera26 avatar
Jennifer Olivera
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cat use to sneak out at nite...I'd go after him because my neighbors had put traps in their yards that would prolly kill him and people who like to speed fast down the street...but if I couldn't find him I'd always put food out for him and the next morning he's crying outside on my window sill..

getin avatar
get in
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is unlawful for cats to run loose in my state and I see them all the time killing baby birds, rabbits, etc... If I owned a feline I would NOT let it roam loose because it could be poisoned, shot, trapped, etc...If you really love your pet you wouldn't let it out of your sight. Please, either build them a fenced in run or leash them or you may lose them and you don't want that to happen to a pet you love.

ptb123 avatar
lyone_fein avatar
Lyone Fein
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gordon Bennet, Cats can smell their own tracks. That is one reason why they hate being picked up and carried any place.

Load More Replies...
e_kuziela avatar
Liz Kuziela
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wanted to put a tracker on my kids phones, were what the name of the app

anat_ avatar
Ana T.
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

all i can i will never let my cat go outside again !!

laura_johnston_334 avatar
Laura Johnston
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should keep kitty indoors only. Cats that roam are more likely to get injured by cars, kids, and other animals. They are more likely to pick up diseases,let alone worms,fleas and ticks.

Load More Replies...
sally-e-vogel avatar
Sally Vogel
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cats should be kept indoors for their own safety and that of the birds they may prey on...although rodents and shrews are a more likely nighttime prey.

abinicoarts avatar
Abinico Arts
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cats belong indoors - far too dangerous for them to wander like this.

merle_mcclure avatar
Merle McClure
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If my cat sleeps at the foot of my bed - how can he do all this other stuff? How can he get out?? Sorry this is bogus!

sue-donim-144 avatar
Sue Donim
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it is not bogus because your cat never gets outside . these arent your cat .

Load More Replies...
mr-jim-hubbard avatar
Jim Hubbard
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

First, if you've ever looked at your Google Location History tacks, you'll know that civilian GPS isn't that accurate. Second, why are you letting your damned cat roam the neighborhood? They kill other animals that people generally like having around (squirrels and chipmunks and birds) just to kill...not because they are hungry. I'll trap cats caught roaming my neighborhood and send them to the pound.

jadecat81 avatar
Meredith Keeton
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agreed. It is irresponsible and inconsiderate to allow your cat to roam free. I don't know why people think dogs belong on a chain and cats can run free. It makes no sense. Cats in our neighborhood kill birds at our bird feeder, defecate and urinate in my garden and on my porch, and a neighbor even had an "outdoor cat" deliver dead kittens on her front stoop. Not right. If you love your cat, like I love my pets, keep them indoors.

Load More Replies...
celiamcdaniel avatar
chicorose avatar
Rose Martin
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to reply to Vermilion some cats have many homes my cat belongs to the neighbor but I feed her and she sleeps with me and she is loved by the whole neighborhood. many people let "stray" cats into they're house to feed them or give them water they don't just go ghost like through walls unless of course they are ghosts!

Load More Replies...
troux avatar
Troux
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are some of these very accurate and realistic, meandering paths around obstacles, and some are beelines for long distances that go directly through objects? Makes me think it could be GPS error that's sending them far away and back again.

chojnackichris avatar
Christian Chojnacki
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Probably updates location every few minutes or so depending on how strong the signal is... or cats are just magic and can walk through walls while we sleep

Load More Replies...
rainbowswirllaughter avatar
laura_johnston_334 avatar
Laura Johnston
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can! They sell small camera's that get strapped onto the cats collar. They were about 150.00 when they first came out a few years ago.

Load More Replies...
camicat666 avatar
Violet Camicat
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can recommend the BBC documentary 'Horizon: The Secret Life Of The Cat' on this topic. People of a town in England have let their cats take part in an experiment. The pets got GPS trackers and also cameras and owners were quite surprised what lives their little fur mates are leading.

melissa-p-spencer-3 avatar
Melissa Spencer
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This points out the dangers of letting your cats roam. Look at all those streets they cross.

sassybooie avatar
Meeow
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now this is very interesting to see how far your cat would go. But then again why would you leave your cat out at night though. There is so many predators out there can easily harm your pet. BTW get the small camera's that get strapped onto the cats collar. Maybe this can help the pet owner find the lost baby as well.

apai_mcguire avatar
Apai Mcguire
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i think of these cat are working with FBI or doing some illegal business. seems like the have to meet someone at the hill side...maybe a spy....hahaha...just kidding

kannecat avatar
Kat
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We keep our cat in during the night. But during the day he goes out and lays on my porch or under the small tree that is next to our porch. He seriously doesn't leave the yard, maybe he is just an oddball.

lemsip avatar
lemsip
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's usually the alpha male cats who are wandering further as they have larger territories. Female cats stay closer to home.

Load More Replies...
dvidfrisch avatar
Dávid Frisch
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol all these manlet americans who keep their cats inside, such loosers. If you want an inside animal buy some fish, i hate people who keep their cats inside, same as people who keep their dog in the garden for their whole life - and no, cats and dogs are should not be kept in a flat. cats are predators, they are killing machines who have fun killing other animals - you know, stuff predators usually enjoy. My cat kill birds, a lot of them, he lays them out in front of the porch and i pet him on the head since he is such a clever predator.

dvidfrisch avatar
bipul_phi avatar
Le Bug
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mind Checking the Gps horizontal Accuracy values for the time range? Discard points with accuracy values > 65 metres (wifi accuracy). Then you have a more dependable trace of the Cat in question.

helen-mazzer-1 avatar
Helen Frances
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I clicked on this because it said cats at night. Cats should be kept in at night. it keeps them safe from bigger predators and also away from sleeping birdies.

vieiramesquita avatar
Vinicius Vieira Mesquita
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are true photos with some GPS errors , it's common to occur :3, the number of avaliable GPS satellites in the moment, hight structures and closed vegetation canopy have an great influence over mistakes in the data collection.

etaylor34 avatar
Liz Taylor
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please keep your car indoors unless you want to risk him being mauled by a dog, hit by a car, poisoned by a cat hater, stolen by an a- hole to use as bait in dog fights, not to mention picking up serious diseases. Please just keep him inside.

rheacabalida avatar
Rhea cabalida
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is great! But don't you think it will also be helpful if you track your kids the same way? I found this article that lists the best GPS wearables for children! Check them out! https://www.lifechacha.com/best-kids-gps-tracker/

jenolivera26 avatar
Jennifer Olivera
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cat use to sneak out at nite...I'd go after him because my neighbors had put traps in their yards that would prolly kill him and people who like to speed fast down the street...but if I couldn't find him I'd always put food out for him and the next morning he's crying outside on my window sill..

getin avatar
get in
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is unlawful for cats to run loose in my state and I see them all the time killing baby birds, rabbits, etc... If I owned a feline I would NOT let it roam loose because it could be poisoned, shot, trapped, etc...If you really love your pet you wouldn't let it out of your sight. Please, either build them a fenced in run or leash them or you may lose them and you don't want that to happen to a pet you love.

ptb123 avatar
lyone_fein avatar
Lyone Fein
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gordon Bennet, Cats can smell their own tracks. That is one reason why they hate being picked up and carried any place.

Load More Replies...
e_kuziela avatar
Liz Kuziela
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wanted to put a tracker on my kids phones, were what the name of the app

anat_ avatar
Ana T.
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

all i can i will never let my cat go outside again !!

laura_johnston_334 avatar
Laura Johnston
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should keep kitty indoors only. Cats that roam are more likely to get injured by cars, kids, and other animals. They are more likely to pick up diseases,let alone worms,fleas and ticks.

Load More Replies...
sally-e-vogel avatar
Sally Vogel
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cats should be kept indoors for their own safety and that of the birds they may prey on...although rodents and shrews are a more likely nighttime prey.

abinicoarts avatar
Abinico Arts
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cats belong indoors - far too dangerous for them to wander like this.

merle_mcclure avatar
Merle McClure
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If my cat sleeps at the foot of my bed - how can he do all this other stuff? How can he get out?? Sorry this is bogus!

sue-donim-144 avatar
Sue Donim
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it is not bogus because your cat never gets outside . these arent your cat .

Load More Replies...
mr-jim-hubbard avatar
Jim Hubbard
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

First, if you've ever looked at your Google Location History tacks, you'll know that civilian GPS isn't that accurate. Second, why are you letting your damned cat roam the neighborhood? They kill other animals that people generally like having around (squirrels and chipmunks and birds) just to kill...not because they are hungry. I'll trap cats caught roaming my neighborhood and send them to the pound.

jadecat81 avatar
Meredith Keeton
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agreed. It is irresponsible and inconsiderate to allow your cat to roam free. I don't know why people think dogs belong on a chain and cats can run free. It makes no sense. Cats in our neighborhood kill birds at our bird feeder, defecate and urinate in my garden and on my porch, and a neighbor even had an "outdoor cat" deliver dead kittens on her front stoop. Not right. If you love your cat, like I love my pets, keep them indoors.

Load More Replies...
Popular on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda