The World's First App-Controlled Pet Door

Cambridge, UK (28th June 2017) - Pet lifestyle specialist SureFlap today announced the availability of the first-ever app-controlled pet door - the Microchip Pet Door Connect. The app Sure Petcare allows pet owners to control the pet door remotely from a smartphone or tablet, as well as monitor their pets' activity and habits.

Designed for cats and small dogs, the Microchip Pet Door Connect works via a Hub device, which connects the pet door to the Internet. The pet owner is then able to control and monitor the comings and goings of their pets from the Sure Petcare app when they're away from home.

Other smart features of the app include the ability to:

Receive notifications via the app when their pet leaves or enters the house.

Log and track their pets' activity throughout the day. Historic data stored by the app can reveal changes in their pets' behaviour or wellbeing.

Remotely lock or unlock the pet door anytime, anywhere. Owners can also set a curfew to keep their pets indoors at specified times during the day.

Share access to the app with friends, family or pet sitters and manage their permissions.

The pet door utilises microchip-reading technology meaning it only responds to the resident pet(s) microchip or RFID-collar tag ensuring unwanted animals are kept out.

Dr Nick Hill, founder and CEO of SureFlap said: "Our aim is to develop great products that are useful, easy to use and make life easier for pet owners and their pets.

"With the development of any new product, we involve our customers from the beginning. Their feedback in the design and usability stages is crucial - it enables us to deliver something that is of value to them and their pets," he said.

Jon Bowen, Royal Veterinary College vet and animal behaviourist said: "Smart devices have enabled people to connect with family, friends, work, their surroundings 24/7. With people generally working longer hours and being away from home, they want to connect with their pets too.

"For me, the real value lies in the data and ability to log and track a pet's habits - something we've not been able to do until now. Over time, this information can provide an accurate insight into your pet's wellbeing and help you determine what is "normal" behaviour for your pet and what is not.

"The Microchip Pet Door Connect is a game changer and will become an essential part of maintaining a happy, healthy pet," Jon said.

Pet tech is a booming industry, with the global market predicted to reach $2.36bn (£1.84bn) by 2022, according to Grand View Research.

The growth of this market, coupled with the rapid rise in smart devices presents a huge opportunity for SureFlap, according to its CEO.

"Pet owners are increasingly willing to spend money on smart technologies and products that keep their pets safe and well," Dr Hill said.

"For us, the starting point is that the technology must make pet owners' lives simpler and solve a problem - without being intrusive. This has been the key to our success and will continue to drive our strategy forward.

"We plan to pursue more opportunities in the connected space, developing products that address real concerns for pet owners," Dr Hill concluded.

The Microchip Pet Door Connect, including the Hub can be purchased in the UK at sureflap.com, and will be available the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands and Belgium from September. In the meantime customers will be able to register their interest at sureflap.com/connect