Boston Business Journal / BY David Harris
A Burlington-based company has introduced a new smart collar designed to monitor pets’ vital signs and activity continuously and non-invasively. The PetPace smart collar, developed by PetPace (founded in 2012), integrates small sensors that collect physiological data and behavioral metrics to give owners a clearer picture of a dog or cat’s health between veterinary visits. The company describes the device as a seamless, automatic tool for tracking temperature, pulse, respiration and other indicators of wellbeing.
The collar’s onboard sensors measure core vital signs such as body temperature, pulse and respiratory rate while also tracking movement and position. In addition to those basics, PetPace reports the system can assess activity patterns, calories burned, pain indicators and heart rate variability. By combining these streams of data, the smart collar aims to provide continuous health monitoring that helps owners spot changes in condition early, follow recovery after surgery or illness, and better understand daily behavior and exercise needs.
PetPace emphasizes that monitoring is non-invasive and automatic: once the collar is fitted, it collects and transmits data without requiring the pet owner to perform manual checks. The device pairs with iOS and Android apps so owners can view their animal’s vital signs, receive alerts and examine trends over time. The mobile interface is intended to make health information accessible, helping owners make more informed decisions and enabling clearer communication with veterinarians when needed.
Initially, the collars will be available in Florida and Massachusetts, with national availability planned later in the summer. The collars have a retail price of $150, and the service that delivers ongoing monitoring and data access is offered via a monthly subscription priced at $15. This pricing model—one-time hardware purchase plus a recurring subscription for cloud services and app access—reflects how many modern pet wearables combine device sales with ongoing data and support services.
PetPace is a relatively small company by headcount, reporting a total of 15 employees. A portion of the staff works in Burlington, while the company’s research and development operations are based in Israel. According to PetPace CEO Avi Menkes, the company has raised under $10 million in investor funding to date. Among investors is Burlington-based venture fund Kormeli, which is led by Avner Schneur, the former CEO of software firm Emptoris Inc.
The PetPace smart collar is positioned within the growing market for pet health monitoring and pet wearables, where devices aim to bridge the gap between sporadic veterinary checkups and an animal’s day-to-day health. Continuous monitoring can highlight subtle shifts in physiology or behavior that may merit veterinary attention—examples include gradual increases in resting respiratory rate, changes in activity levels, or alterations in sleep and position that could indicate discomfort. While a smart collar is not a substitute for professional veterinary diagnosis and care, it can serve as a data-rich supplement that helps owners and veterinarians spot trends and prioritize follow-up.
Beyond individual pet owners, veterinarians and veterinary clinics increasingly use remote monitoring data as part of preventive care and chronic disease management. When pet owners share sensor data with their veterinarian, it can help inform treatment plans for conditions such as arthritis, obesity, heart disease or post-operative recovery. The PetPace system’s combination of physiological and behavioral metrics aims to provide a fuller picture of an animal’s health than activity-only trackers.
“This technology is going to get smarter and smarter,” Menkes said when asked about what’s next. “There’s more to come.”
Looking ahead, PetPace plans to continue refining its algorithms and sensor capabilities, using collected data to improve accuracy and add insights. As pet owners seek more proactive ways to manage their animals’ health, smart collars and other pet tech devices are likely to play a growing role in everyday care. For now, PetPace’s product offers an accessible entry point for owners who want continuous health monitoring, delivered through a wearable collar, a companion smartphone app, and a subscription service that supports ongoing data access and alerts.