For that pampered pooch: a RFID-enabled automatic doggie door

This Pomeranian lives the posh life but the doggie door is so yesterday. Utilizing a smart chip on the dog's collar, the Plexidor Electronic Door would automatically open the door for the pooch. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times.

Dogs that open doggie doors with their noses are such ruffians. Those ill-mannered animals will probably never get a date or a bone.

Sophisticated pets, with deep-pocketed owners, can now use garage-like doggie doors that open and close electronically when a pet wearing a collar with a radio-frequency-identification chip approaches. The doors only open for the pet with the RFID chip, keeping out unwanted visitors.

The chips are widely used at automated toll booths and for tracking airline baggage.

Plexidor Electronic Pet Doors cost $129 to $800 depending on the size and model.  To see a picture, check out our L.A. Unleashed blog.

"It allows the pets to go outside when they have to, not when you're able to let them out," said Plexidor President Joe Ambrose. He added: "For the pet owner, it is very helpful in preventing pet messes in the house from the pet having to hold it too long."

-- Melissa Rohlin

Comments

[CK]

I wonder how the door would hold up to the strength of a motivated raccoon or burglar. I had a cat door in one house I lived in. Giant raccoons somehow squeezed their giant butts through the tiny door to come raid our kitchen. I locked myself out on one occasion and found it alarmingly easy to let myself in by reaching up through the cat door.

[A curious bystander]

This is a great idea, but why does it cost more than a garage door and garage door opener combined?

[Ilse Gomez]

Thats a good idea, with my dogs I need that because I have to open them the door like 20 times in a day, so it a great invent

[andy w]

Has the whole world gone Crazy? It's a real shame, that some poor dog would have to open it's own door. RFID chips are an unnecessary evil. Our freedom of privacy will greatly be reduced by RFID technology. This so called great invention is allready in u.s. passports. So the government can track you just like you track your dog. Open up your eyes people. I'm sorry if the rich people and their dogs have to open their own doors in the future, but that may be the cost of our freedom. I know it's allot to ask.

Furthermore, this is just mental conditioning to the greater population. We're all supposed to be ok with mirco-chiping our pets. In due time we will all have tracking chips in our bodies. People have already received chip implants. If you don't believe me look it up for yourself. Big brother is alive and well.