Frequently Asked Questions

→ Use the App.
Ask a vet, understand symptoms, and decide what to do next.

→ Get an ID Tag.
Instant contact, no apps required for the finder.

→ Get a Tracker.
Real-time GPS, activity/health monitoring, and safety alerts.

→ Start with the App, then add Tag or a Tracker anytime.
Build your setup based on your pet’s lifestyle.

Talk to a real vet

• App: Yes (Premium)
  
• ID Tag: No
  
• Tracker: No
  

AI health insights

• App: Yes (Premium)
  
• ID Tag: No
  
• Tracker: Yes
  

Health & behaviour tracking

• App: Yes (Premium)
  
• ID Tag: No
  
• Tracker: Yes
  

Store medical records

• App: Yes (Premium)
  
• ID Tag: No
  
• Tracker: No
  

Instant contact if lost

• App: Yes (with tag/tracker)
  
• ID Tag: Yes
  
• Tracker: Yes
  

Works without battery

• App: Yes
  
• ID Tag: Yes
  
• Tracker: No
  

Real-time GPS tracking

• App: No
  
• ID Tag: No
  
• Tracker: Yes
  

Activity monitoring

• App: Limited
  
• ID Tag: No
  
• Tracker: Yes
  

Best for

• App: Advice & health management
  
• ID Tag: Lost pet safety
  
• Tracker: Full safety + tracking
  

(Premium) marks an app feature the Premium plan includes and the Free plan does not. See Plans and pricing for what each plan covers.

App = Understanding your pet
ID Tag = Getting them home fast
Tracker = Never losing them in the first place

People usually start with one, then realise:

• The App helps them understand what’s going on
• The Tag protects against the worst-case scenario
• The Tracker gives real-time control and peace of mind

It becomes a complete system, not just a product.

Start with the App.
Ask one question.
Everything else becomes clearer from there.

Open the App, ask a vet, and understand why and if it’s urgent or not.

Track appetite changes and ask for guidance before it becomes serious.

If they have an ID Tag, someone can contact you instantly.
If they have a Tracker, you can see exactly where they are.

Log behaviour changes and spot patterns early with tracking.

Use the App to guide feeding, training, behaviour, and health from day one.

Ask follow-up questions in the App and actually understand the plan.

Keep all records, instructions, and health info in one place.

The ASK A VET™ app is a pet and animal health platform that helps you manage your animal’s care in one place. You can ask veterinary questions, track health and behaviour, store important records, and build a clearer picture of your animal’s wellbeing over time.

The app is designed for pet owners, breeders, rescuers, foster carers, trainers, and farmers who want better access to veterinary guidance and better tools to manage animal health. Whether you have one dog, five cats, or a whole group of farm animals, the app is built to make things simpler.

You can use the app to ask questions, log symptoms, track habits and health changes, upload documents, save medical history, manage multiple animals, and access tools that help you stay organised and proactive about care.

Yes. The app is designed to give you access to veterinary guidance from qualified professionals, so you can get clearer direction when something feels off, when you are unsure what to do next, or when you want a better understanding of your options.

No. In fact, a lot of the value is in everyday use. It is helpful for small concerns, behaviour changes, ongoing monitoring, medication questions, recovery tracking, and general decision-making. It is there for the “Is this normal?” moments as much as the more urgent ones.

No. The app is there to support you, not replace hands-on veterinary care where an in-person exam, testing, or treatment is needed. It helps you make better decisions faster and can also help you know when a clinic visit should not wait.

You can ask about symptoms, vomiting, diarrhoea, appetite changes, behaviour changes, limping, skin issues, medication questions, post-op care, dental concerns, general care, preventive health, and more. If it relates to your animal’s health, wellbeing, or daily care, it belongs in the app.

Yes. Many people use it when they are trying to work out whether they need to book in, monitor at home, or go straight to an emergency clinic. It helps give context, next steps, and better preparation.

Yes. It is useful after appointments for tracking progress, logging medications, storing treatment plans, and keeping all the details somewhere you can actually find later instead of trying to remember what was said while stressed in a consult room.

You can track a wide range of health and lifestyle information such as appetite, food, weight, medications, vomiting, stool, urination, behaviour, activity, vaccinations, and other changes that may become important over time.

Because a lot of problems do not appear as one dramatic event. They build gradually. Subtle changes in appetite, thirst, behaviour, energy, or toilet habits often show up before a condition becomes obvious. Tracking helps you notice patterns earlier and gives your vet better information to work with.

No. You can track as much or as little as you want. Even occasional entries can be useful, and the app becomes more valuable the more consistently you use it. It is meant to work in real life, not create homework.

Yes. You can keep important information together in one place, including medical history, notes, documents, and other useful details. This makes it much easier when you need to review something quickly or share relevant information.

Yes. This helps build a more complete record and can be very useful when monitoring changes over time or giving better context to a veterinary question.

Yes. The app is designed so you can manage multiple animals under one account, which is especially useful for households with more than one pet, breeders, rescuers, and farm setups.

No. ASK A VET™ is built for more than just dogs and cats. It can also support a wider range of animals, including farm animals, depending on how you use the platform and what information you want to store and track.

Yes. The platform includes AI-powered support and insights designed to help you notice patterns, organise information, and get more value from the data you track. It is there to support decision-making, not pretend to be a replacement for proper veterinary care.

Google gives you everything from “totally fine” to “your dog has three minutes to live,” usually in the same search. ASK A VET™ gives you a system built around your actual animal, with tracking, context, and proper guidance instead of random internet chaos. You can also at any time chat to a real vet.

Very much so. It is built to reduce guesswork and help you make calmer, more informed decisions. Instead of spiralling, you have a place to check patterns, ask questions, and work out what matters and what can wait.

That is fine. The app is designed to be practical and user-friendly. You do not need to be tech-savvy to use it. The goal is to make animal care easier, not more complicated. There is a big purple button to press on the home screen and chat to a vet.

Yes. It can be especially useful for pets with chronic conditions because it lets you keep records organised, monitor trends over time, and keep track of medications, flare-ups, symptoms, or recurring issues more clearly.

Yes. It is very useful for new pet owners because there are always a hundred questions in the beginning. Feeding, toilet habits, behaviour, parasites, vaccination timing, training concerns, chewing, scratching, sleep, weird noises, dramatic zoomies, the usual chaos.

The app is designed to store your animal’s information securely, and you stay in control of what you add and what is shared.

Not unless you choose to share it via family sharing. Your information is not just floating around for the neighbourhood gossip group.

No. The app works on its own. ID tags and GPS/health trackers are additional tools that can connect with the wider ASK A VET™ ecosystem, but you can absolutely start with just the app.

The ASK A VET™ app has a Free plan at $0/mo USD: unlimited pet profiles, smart ID tags and scan alerts.

Premium is $16.99/mo USD, or $169.99/yr billed annually, and adds the app’s veterinary support and everyday care tools — certified vet chats, unlimited AI Vet Chat, health tracking and the pet document library. The Tracker Plan is $8.99/mo USD, or $89.99/yr billed annually, and covers the tracker essentials.

Telehealth video calls are paid per call on every plan, at a discounted rate on Premium. Plans are chosen and changed inside the app, and prices are shown before anything is charged. See Plans and pricing for the full comparison.

Yes, because healthy pets still need records, reminders, monitoring, and a plan for when something changes. The best time to set things up is before you are stressed, tired, and trying to remember your dog’s medication history while standing in a waiting room.

Because ASK A VET™ is not just a storage tool or a cute tracking app. It is built around real veterinary decision-making. It is designed to help you understand what is happening, what changed, and what to do next.

ASK A VET™ was created by Dr Duncan Houston, a veterinarian who has worked across a wide range of veterinary settings and built the platform to solve the real-world gaps pet owners run into all the time: confusion, missing records, delayed decisions, and nowhere good to turn when something feels off.

ASK A VET™ is a veterinary health platform designed to give you clarity about your animal’s health. It combines three key things in one place:

• Direct access to qualified veterinarians as well as a custom built AI Veterinarian for instant answers.
• Structured health and behaviour tracking
• Centralised medical records and documents

Instead of guessing, waiting, or relying on unreliable sources, you have a system that helps you understand what’s happening with your animal and what to do next.

ASK A VET™ is designed for:

• Pet owners who want quick, reliable advice
• First-time owners who need guidance
• Multi-pet households managing complex care
• Breeders and trainers tracking behaviour and development
• Farmers managing livestock health

If you have an animal and want better decision-making, it’s built for you.

No. The app is designed to be simple to use while still giving you powerful insights. You don’t need any medical background to get value from it.

You can set up a basic profile in under a minute. Adding detailed history and tracking takes longer, but that can be done gradually over time.

You create your pet profile, then you can:

• Ask your first question
• Start tracking health data
• Upload records or past vet history

Most users start by asking a question or logging a current concern.

Questions are answered by qualified veterinarians with real clinical experience. This is not a chatbot-only system, you have access to real professionals.

ASK A VET™ is ideal for:

• Early symptoms and “something seems off” situations
• Behaviour changes
• Diet and feeding questions
• Medication clarification
• Post-surgery or recovery monitoring
• Deciding whether something is urgent

It fills the gap between “wait and see” and “rush to the emergency clinic.”

No responsible veterinarian will diagnose without a physical exam when one is required. What you will get is:

• Clinical guidance
• Likely possibilities
• Clear next steps
• Advice on urgency

This is often exactly what owners need to make the right decision.

Yes, and that’s one of the biggest benefits. It helps you:

• Decide if something is urgent
• Prepare for your vet visit
• Know what questions to ask

Yes. Many people use it to:

• Better understand a diagnosis
• Clarify treatment plans
• Monitor recovery
• Ask follow-up questions

That’s exactly why the app exists. You can ask anything, whether it’s small, embarrassing, or something you’re unsure about.

Response times depend on demand, but the system is designed to prioritise getting you guidance as quickly as possible. We have a custom built AI Vet to provide you with instant reliable answers. You can also transfer this AI Vet chat over to a real certified veterinarian at any time.

Most serious conditions don’t appear suddenly, they develop gradually. Subtle changes in behaviour, appetite, weight, or activity are often the first signs.

Tracking allows you to:

• Spot patterns early
• Detect changes you would otherwise miss
• Provide better information to your vet
• Improve long-term outcomes

You can track a wide range of health and behaviour metrics, including:

• Weight and body condition
• Food and appetite
• Water intake
• Medications and treatments
• Vaccinations
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Urination patterns
• Activity and exercise
• Behaviour changes
• Skin, ears, eyes, and mobility

Over time, this creates a complete health profile.

No. Even small amounts of data are useful. The more consistent you are, the more valuable the insights become.

The AI looks at trends and patterns across your pet’s data and can:

• Flag unusual changes
• Highlight potential issues early
• Suggest when something needs attention

It doesn’t replace a vet, but it helps you notice things sooner.

In many cases, yes. Early detection often means:

• Simpler treatment
• Less severe disease
• Fewer emergency visits

Yes. You can upload and organise:

• Vet records
• Blood test results
• Imaging reports
• Prescriptions
• Notes and photos

Everything stays in one place, accessible anytime.

Because:

• You always have access, even if you change clinics
• You can share information instantly
• You’re not relying on memory during stressful situations

Yes. You can choose to share relevant information when needed.

If your pet is linked to an ASK A VET™ ID tag or tracker:

• A finder can scan or tap the tag
• Your pet’s profile opens instantly
• Your contact details are available immediately

This removes the delay of needing a microchip scanner.

Microchips:

• Require a vet or shelter to scan
• Often have outdated contact details

ASK A VET™ tags:

• Work instantly with any smartphone
• Show live, up-to-date information
• Notify you when your pet is found

The app itself does not track location unless paired with a GPS tracker. Trackers provide real-time location and safety alerts.

(Pop-up for subscription options)

This gives flexibility depending on how often you need support.

If you want to be able to chat to a real certified veterinarian or our AI Vet along with ongoing access, frequent advice, and peace of mind, a subscription is required and provides better value.

No. Pricing is transparent and based on the option you choose.

Yes. You can add and manage multiple animals in one account.

Yes. ASK A VET™ supports:

• Dogs and cats
• Small animals
• Exotic pets
• Farm animals

Yes. It’s useful for tracking development, behaviour, and health across multiple animals.

The app is designed to work on both iOS and Android devices.

Yes. Internet is required for syncing data and accessing vet support.

Your data is stored securely and will sync when you log back into your account.

No. Most interactions are quick. You can log data or ask a question in seconds.

You do. You control your pet’s information and how it’s used.

Yes. Data is stored securely with appropriate protections in place.

Only if you choose to share it, such as through an ID tag for lost pet recovery.

Because it’s built by Dr Duncan Houston a veterinarian who has worked across emergency, general practice, and multiple animal industries, and has seen how often owners are left without clear guidance.

It solves uncertainty.
Most owners either:

• Wait too long
• Panic too early
• Rely on unreliable information

ASK A VET™ gives you structured, reliable guidance so you can make better decisions.

Confidence.
You’re no longer guessing. You have a system, support, and clarity behind every decision.

Most people don’t think they need it… until something happens.

Start with one question and see how it changes the way you manage your animal’s health.

A Smart ID Tag turns your pet’s collar into a live, updateable profile instead of a fixed piece of metal. Instead of just a name and number, it gives full, real-time information that can actually help someone return your pet safely.

Because most tags are outdated, hard to read, or incomplete. People find a pet, try the number, and it doesn’t work. Or they don’t call at all. Smart tags remove that friction completely.

Speed and accuracy. The faster someone can identify your pet and contact you, the higher the chance of getting them home. This removes delays, confusion, and dead ends.

They scan or tap the tag.
Your pet’s profile opens instantly.
They contact you straight away.

No vet. No shelter. No waiting.

Oh and btw. You get a notification of your pets location when their tag is found. No battery required… MAGIC!

If they can open a camera or use a phone, they can use it. That covers almost everyone.

The tag gives clear direction. Scanning the tag opens a specific website page for your pet. It tells them exactly how to contact you and what to do next.

This is rare, but for full protection, many owners combine the tag with a tracker or microchip as backup layers.

Because different people use different methods.
QR = universal
NFC = faster

Having both means almost anyone can access your pet’s details instantly.

QR is the most universally used. NFC is faster when people know how to use it. Together, they cover nearly all situations.

They can just scan the QR code instead.

Microchips only work if:

• Your pet is taken to a vet or shelter
• Someone scans it
• Your details are up to date! 

That can take hours or days.

PS: Being an emergency vet I have stray animals dropped off all the time. I would say that more than 50% of the time the animal does not have a microchip, the microchip is not working, OR the details are not up to date. A lot of the time the microchip details are still the breeders.

Smart ID Tags work immediately with any smartphone. The person who finds your pet can contact you within seconds.

Smart ID Tag + Microchip + Tracker

That gives you instant contact, backup identification, and real-time location.

At minimum:

• Your phone number
• Pet’s name

Better setup:

• Your email
• Secondary contact details
• Regular vet clinic details
• Medical notes
• Allergies
• Behaviour notes
• Feeding or handling instructions

Yes, and it can be extremely helpful. For example:

• Allergies
• Medications
• Conditions like epilepsy or diabetes

Yes. If you change your number, move house, or update details, it reflects instantly. To update a microchip’s details can take weeks, even months!

My personal experience with microchips… I had to remind the government to update ones of my pet’s details because they forgot too or missed doing it. And I’m the vet that completed and sent in the documents!

Unlike engraved tags, you can update it at any time without replacing the tag.

No. You control what is shown. Only the information you choose to share is visible.

No. The tag does not provide live tracking. It only shows information when scanned. And this information is only shown to your or your family members who have in app access to your pet.

Only if you choose to include it. Most people use phone contact instead.

Yes. Your data is stored securely, and access is limited to what you allow publicly.

No. The tag is designed to be durable and remain scannable with normal use.

Yes. It’s built for real pets, not just showroom dogs.

No. It’s lightweight and designed for everyday wear.

No. It’s silent, which many owners prefer.

They scan the tag, see your contact details, and call you immediately. No waiting for a clinic or council. You also get a notification with the GPS location of where and when your pet has been scanned.

They can scan it instantly and message or call you. No need to go to a vet or worse… the pound.

Medical notes on the profile can help the finder understand urgency and how to handle your pet safely. You can also include your pets' regular vet clinic so they can be brought to the right place straight away.

The finder doesn’t need a clinic. They can contact you immediately at any time.

Yes. You can receive alerts when your pet’s tag is scanned, including when and where.

Because you can act immediately instead of wondering where your pet is. Your pet may be found even before you know they’re gone.

Download the app, add your pet, scan the tag, and add your details. It takes a few minutes.

Yes. You can update the profile and reassign it if needed.

You can deactivate or update your profile and replace the tag.

• It does not provide real-time GPS tracking
• It does not replace emergency veterinary care
• It does not work if it’s not attached to your pet

Yes. Many lost pets are indoor pets that escape unexpectedly.

Many current tags have limitations. If your current tag is engraved, it can’t be updated and has minimal information. The ASK A VET™ Smart ID Tag gives you far more flexibility and security.

It might feel like it until the day your pet goes missing. Then it becomes the most important thing on their collar.

It’s a smart device that attaches to your pet’s collar, harness, jacket, lead, hat… and lets you track their location in real time while also monitoring their activity, behaviour, and health patterns through the ASK A VET™ app.

It removes uncertainty.You always know where your pet is, how active they’ve been, and whether something has changed that might need some attention.

• Dogs that roam, escape, or have strong prey drive
• Outdoor or adventurous pets
• Owners who travel or leave pets with others
• Pets with health or behaviour concerns
• Anyone who wants real peace of mind

PS: As an emergency vet, honestly every owner should have the FREE ASK A VET™ app and ID Tag at a minimum. If you really want to care for your pet, then get a Tracker as well. You won’t regret it.

The tracker uses GPS and mobile connectivity to send your pet’s location directly to your phone in real time through the ASK A VET™ app.

Accuracy is typically within a few meters depending on environment, signal strength, and surroundings.

Yes. You can track your pet’s movement in real time and follow their location directly on your phone.

You can open the app immediately, see their live location, and go straight to them instead of searching blindly.

It works wherever there is GPS and mobile network coverage. Performance may vary in remote or underground areas.

Yes. You can track multiple animals within the same app and also share these animals with your family, sitters, carers, friends, etc. You only share what you want.

A virtual fence lets you set a safe zone. If your pet leaves that area, you get an instant alert.

Alerts are sent in real time or near real time, depending on connectivity.

Yes. You can view location history to see movement patterns and behaviour over time.

Yes. Some models include sound or vibration features that can help with recall and behaviour training.

Depending on the model, it can track:

• Activity levels
• Steps and movement
• Behaviour patterns
• Rest and sleep trends
• Barking or activity changes

Dr Duncan is always adding more and more and the AI platform is always learning as well to provide more and better insights.

Changes in activity or behaviour are often early signs of health issues. Tracking helps you spot problems before they become serious.

It doesn’t diagnose conditions, but it can highlight changes and trends that may need attention.

Yes. The tracker works alongside the app to give a more complete picture of your pet’s health.

Battery life depends on usage and settings, but it is designed for extended use with efficient power management. Up to 14 days depending on how much you use it and what settings.

All devices charge via USB C. Remember to make sure the waterproof cover is closed at all times.

Tracking will stop until the device is recharged. You’ll typically receive low battery alerts before that happens.

Yes. Adjusting tracking frequency and settings can significantly extend battery life.

Yes IPX7, can be submersed to 1m for 30 minutes. It is designed to handle rain, splashes, and typical outdoor conditions.

Yes. At 68g including the silicone strap, it is designed to be lightweight, comfortable, and suitable for 24 hour daily use. Suggested to be worn for animals above 4kg.

It is designed to attach securely to collars or harnesses when fitted correctly.

At the moment for animals above 4kg. Different models and sizes will be available soon, including options for smaller animals.

The tracker uses esim mobile connectivity, which is included in both the tracker and premium plans.

The device uses mobile networks to transmit location data in real time, similar to how your phone works. Also for software updates, bug fixes, and any improvements.

1. Download the ASK A VET™ app.
2. Add your pets’ profile.
3. Click on your pet and attach the tracker. 

It takes just a few minutes.

Wi-Fi can assist with setup, battery saving, app updates, tracker updates and certain features, but GPS tracking primarily relies on mobile networks.

No. Only you (and people you choose to share access with) can see your pet’s location.

Yes. Your pet’s data and location information are securely stored and protected.

You open the app, see their live location, and go straight to them instead of searching the neighbourhood.

You can check the app and immediately see where your dog is. You can even add your sitter to your ASK A VET™ Family and allow them to see your pets’ location as well.

Yes. Changes in activity or behaviour patterns can be tracked and reviewed to spot early signs of issues.

Yes. It’s ideal for outdoor adventures where dogs may roam or get out of sight.

• It does not replace supervision
• It does not guarantee prevention of escape
• It depends on battery and network coverage

Being aware of this helps set realistic expectations.

They serve different purposes:

• Tracker = Find your pet in real time
• ID Tag = Let someone contact you instantly

Using both gives you the best protection, because unfortunately if the tracker runs out of battery, it needs to be charged again to show your pets’ unique ID QR code.

Even well-trained pets can get spooked, chase something, or slip out unexpectedly. It’s happened to me, I’m sure it may have or will happen to you. One mistake is all it takes and it can scare the sh*t out of you!

It feels like that until the one time you actually need it. Then it becomes invaluable.

ASK A VET™ is designed to keep pricing simple, transparent, and flexible, so you always know what you are paying for.

Pricing is:

• Clear and shown upfront before you proceed
• Transparent with no hidden costs or surprise fees
• Flexible depending on how often you want to use the service

You can choose between:

• Pay-per-consult access
• Subscription-based plans with included features

Pay-per-consult

• Pay only when you need veterinary support
• Ideal for occasional or one-off concerns
• Fixed pricing per consult, shown before booking
• No ongoing commitment or monthly fees

Subscription plans

• Monthly or annual plans depending on your needs
• May include features such as AI Vet Chat, health tracking, and ongoing support
• May include consults or reduced pricing per consult
• Designed for pet owners who want continuous access and monitoring

Depending on your plan, you may receive:

• Included vet chats or consults
• Lower cost per consult compared to pay-per-use
• Access to additional features within the ASK A VET™ ecosystem
• Better value for ongoing or long-term care

There are no hidden extras.

This means:

• You see the cost before confirming
• You understand what is included in your plan
• You can choose the level of access that suits your needs

The goal is to give you control, whether you need occasional advice or ongoing veterinary support, while keeping pricing straightforward and predictable.

Yes.

All interactions within the ASK A VET™ app are designed with privacy and security in mind, so you can confidently store and use your pet’s information.

Your data is:

• Private
• Secure
• Protected within the app environment
• Accessible only to you and authorised use within your account

This includes:

• Your pet’s profile and identifying information
• Health tracking data that you input over time
• Logged symptoms, behaviour records, and history
• Feeding, weight, and routine data
• Uploaded photos and videos
• Tracker data such as activity, movement, and patterns

Your data is used only to:

• Provide more personalised and accurate guidance
• Deliver context-aware responses based on your pet
• Help identify patterns, trends, and changes over time
• Improve your experience within the ASK A VET™ ecosystem

Importantly:

• Your data is not used for unrelated purposes
• It is not shared outside of the app to third parties for external use
• It is kept within the platform to support your pet’s care

You also remain in control of your data:

• You choose what information to input and track
• You decide what photos, videos, or records to upload
• You control how much detail the AI can use to assist you

Because the system relies on the data you provide, it is designed to balance two key things:

• Strong privacy and protection
• High-quality, personalised guidance

This means you can safely use features like health tracking, uploads, and AI support, knowing your information is protected while still being used to give you the best possible insights for your pet.