This is not just for those whose furry companion has that independent nature, it's also for those who may have a dog that can bolt when frightened by something.
Pawfetchers helps you to locate your furry loved one and bring them home where they will be safe. With so many dogs going missing across Australia each year, this is a practical and easy solution.
Pawfetchers is a Pittwater-based small business started to solve a real problem for dog owners — keeping pets safe with a waterproof, secure holder for AirTags and GPS trackers that attaches to any standard collar. Everything is designed for the Australian outdoors: fully waterproof, and available in 14 colours.
Available at: pawfetchers.com
William says:
''Pawfetchers has been growing steadily and the response from the local community has been really encouraging.''
Building something practical and meaningful right here is not unknown, and this year William Harkin has joined the ranks of those who identify and invent a solution to a problem that's been around for generations.
Purchasers have said:
"Excellent product!. My dog is tiny but this fits him without being too bulky, the colour choices were good and the product is soft but sturdy. Their customer service was exceptional. I will be recommending this product to fellow pet owners as I’m very satisfied with their quality and service."
"Fast shipping, great packaging, and the product itself is exactly what I needed. Very happy."
This week, William explains where the idea came from and how it works.
Where did the idea come from?
I was running around Curl Curl offleash are with my dog Indie one afternoon when a large construction bang sent Indie and many more dogs into a panic. Just like that, Indie had run off and how would I find her?. Luckily Indie was sitting right next to my mother's car parked just up the road, sitting their giving me a strange look while I indulged her in hugs and kisses. That night I could not shake it, what if Indie was not found in 3 minutes, what would I have done if Indie was not around me?
I did a quick google search and found 1 in 3 dogs go missing in their lifetime which really shook me knowing that 1 in 3 dog owners have to experience the anxiety and dread of losing their doggies. There had to be a solution, but there was not. Every AirTag/ GPS holder was bulky, made of hard materials, was swinging down from the collar causing skin irritation and many of them were not waterproof. Pawfetchers was born.
How does Pawfetchers work?
It's really simple — the holder slides straight onto your dog's collar in seconds. You pop your Apple AirTag or GPS tracker inside, slide it on, and that's it. No tools, no fiddling around.
Once it's on, you can track your dog's location from your phone using the Find My app (for AirTag) or your GPS app. So if your dog bolts down the beach or sneaks through a gap in the fence, you can find them straight away. The holder is fully waterproof, so it doesn't matter if your dog jumps in the water, gets caught in the rain, or rolls in the mud — it just keeps going.
Indie wearing her Pawfetchers
What is Pawfetchers made from?
Our waterproof Airtag/ GPS holders are made from durable waterproof silicon using a synthetic silicone rubber. This material is non-toxic, highly flexible and used widely in dog products. It is Ip67 which is able to stay waterproof underwater up to 1 metre for a time of 30 minutes and is completely dust tight.
Who is Pawfetchers for?
Honestly, every dog owner should have one. 1 in 3 dogs go missing at some point which is a crazy statistic when you think about it. It doesn't matter if your dog is super well-trained or never leaves your side, accidents happen. A gate gets left open, a firework goes off, they catch a scent and they're gone.
Pawfetchers just gives you that peace of mind knowing that if this ever does happen, you can find them fast. It clips onto any collar, so it really is for every single dog out there — but especially for dogs that visit offleash areas, bush walkers, or rescue dogs still finding their confidence, and any dog that's a bit of an escape artist.
Does it work for cats?
Technically yes — if your cat wears a standard collar, the holder will slide straight on. But honestly, Pawfetchers was designed with dogs in mind, so that's where it really shines. If you've got a cat that ventures outside though, it's definitely worth a try!
Even if you don't have a pet yourself, Pawfetchers makes a really thoughtful gift for anyone in your life who does. Knowing your mate's dog is safe is just as good a feeling as knowing your own is. I have not tested it upon a cat and how the cat behaves so definitely a note to do for future.
How much does it cost?
Pawfetchers AirTag/ GPS holder costs $19.99 per holder with free shipping Australia wide.
How do people get one?
You can grab one at pawfetchers.com — just pick your colour, add to cart, and it ships free anywhere in Australia. The website itself is something I built and designed completely from scratch — every page, every element, all of it. I'm always tweaking and improving it too, whether that's adding new features, making it easier to use, or just making it look better. It's basically a second project running alongside the product itself!
What skills did you develop or do you have to realise turning this this idea into a product?
During those few minutes I had no idea where Indie was that feeling of not knowing stuck with me. That night I went down a rabbit hole and did some research, and found that 1 in 3 dogs go missing in their lifetime. I knew there had to be a better solution — but everything available was bulky, hard, caused skin irritation, and half of what was available wasn't even waterproof.
So I decided to do some more digging. I taught myself how to design and run a business from the ground up. I built the entire Pawfetchers website myself — every page, every element — and I handle everything from product design to marketing to customer orders. It's a lot for a 16 year old but honestly, having a real problem to solve made it all click into place.
My dog Indie is actually the whole reason Pawfetchers exists. Safe to say she's the most important member of the team. 🐾
Any sign off you want to add in?
Thanks so much for having me, Alison — and to everyone reading this in the Pittwater community, thank you for the support. This place is home, and building something here that helps keep our dogs safe means the world to me. If you ever see me and Indie down at Curl Curl, come say hi! 🐾
William Harkin
Pawfetchers
pawfetchers.com
William with proud mum Rachel
Indie's happy with her Pawfetcher!