Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: jezebel on December 05, 2010, 17:23:35 PM

Title: Photo ID for cats - thoughts?
Post by: jezebel on December 05, 2010, 17:23:35 PM
A family member is working with the University of Bristol in developing a non-invasive cat recognition technology called "My Cat’s Photo-Id". (So far, it's been recording the daily movements of more than 2,000 individual penguins as they go to and from the sea, so it's pretty effective!)

Once it's developed, cat owners (and rescues) will be able to ID their cat(s) with a standard camera (the photo would be uploaded to the internet). The cost will be between £5-£10 and the ID would complement micro-chipping and act as a back-up when it fails - and it would certainly assist in the lost and found process.

I'm not sure of all the ins and outs of yet, just thought I'd post here to see what you think.
Title: Re: Photo ID for cats - thoughts?
Post by: Pudding on December 05, 2010, 21:06:13 PM
Just one thought so far, black cats?
Title: Re: Photo ID for cats - thoughts?
Post by: jezebel on December 06, 2010, 18:56:03 PM
As far as I know, it records certain features rather than just the colour/face shape.

Like this:



Title: Re: Photo ID for cats - thoughts?
Post by: Mark on December 06, 2010, 19:04:27 PM
I think they call it biometric?

A good idea if it works  :)
Title: Re: Photo ID for cats - thoughts?
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on December 06, 2010, 19:15:40 PM
A family member is working with the University of Bristol in developing a non-invasive cat recognition technology called "My Cat’s Photo-Id". (So far, it's been recording the daily movements of more than 2,000 individual penguins as they go to and from the sea, so it's pretty effective!)... I'm not sure of all the ins and outs of yet, just thought I'd post here to see what you think.

While it looks really interesing, personally as a run of the mill moggy owner I'm not sure of the value as both my cats are already chipped . For valuable (in monetary terms) pedigree stud cats for example then I guess it would be an extra layer of protection against theft but as a moggy owner, whose cats are of course invaluable to me, it's not something I'd probably go for.

Would love to study the penguin movements though - what a job!
Title: Re: Photo ID for cats - thoughts?
Post by: jezebel on December 12, 2010, 13:43:19 PM
Thanks for all your thoughts.

It does seem effective (at least for penguins, so far!) and I know some people don't like the idea of microchipping, which can have its drawbacks/side effects, which is why I find it interesting.