An artificial feeding system for maintenance and growth of hematophagous insects is disclosed to comprise a blood-free diet formulation and a feeding device. The blood-free diet formulation comprises effective amounts of a protein source and a carbohydrate source, wherein the blood-free diet formulation is suitable for egg production and colony maintenance of hematophagous insects. The feeding device comprises a diet reservoir for receiving the blood-free diet formulation and a feeding platform for hematophagous insects to feed the blood-free diet formation from the diet reservoir.

An artificial feeding system for maintenance and growth of hematophagous insects is disclosed to comprise a blood-free diet formulation and a feeding device. The blood-free diet formulation comprises effective amounts of a protein source and a carbohydrate source, wherein the blood-free diet formulation is suitable for egg production and colony maintenance of hematophagous insects. The feeding device comprises a diet reservoir for receiving the blood-free diet formulation and a feeding platform for hematophagous insects to feed the blood-free diet formation from the diet reservoir.

A smart collar to be worn by an animal includes an imaging device configured to capture a plurality of images, and a microprocessor in communication with the imaging device to receive the plurality of captured images in real-time. The microprocessor is configured to perform at least one action selected from the group consisting of: analyze the plurality of captured images, compare the plurality of captured images with stored images, recognize at least one of a person, an animal, and an object depicted in at least one of the plurality of images, identify a behavior of the animal, issue a corrective action, issue an approving action, and issue an alert to a user.

The disclosure relates to a method for monitoring a pet by a robot based on a grid map and a chip. A mutual position relationship between the pet and the robot is determined through wireless communication between a wireless signal device on the pet and the robot, and then whether there is an obstacle cell or not between grid cells where the robot and the pet are located in the grid map is judged. If NO, it is indicated that the pet may be effectively shot at a present position and shooting direction of the robot, and the present position and shooting direction of the robot are not required to be changed. If YES, it is indicated that no pet but an obstacle may be shot at the present position of the robot.

An unmanned aerial vehicle-based data collection and distribution system includes a source of animal data that can be transmitted electronically. The source of animal data includes at least one sensor. The animal data is collected from at least one target individual. The system also includes an unmanned aerial vehicle that receives the animal data from the source of animal data as a first set of received animal data and a home station that receives the first set of received animal data. Characteristically, the unmanned aerial vehicle includes a transceiver operable to receive signals from the source of animal data and to send control signals to the source of animal data.

A pet bed covering system is disclosed. The system may include a pet bed and a pet bed cover. A pet bed cover may have an outer sleeve that wraps about the pet bed with attachment features whereby the pet bed cover may be retained in position about the pet bed. The outer sleeve may have a pet opening edge whereby a pet may enter and exit from the pet bed. In this manner, the pet may be kept warm while resting on the pet bed.

A pet bed covering system is disclosed. The system may include a pet bed and a pet bed cover. A pet bed cover may have an outer sleeve that wraps about the pet bed with attachment features whereby the pet bed cover may be retained in position about the pet bed. The outer sleeve may have a pet opening edge whereby a pet may enter and exit from the pet bed. In this manner, the pet may be kept warm while resting on the pet bed.

A method for determining the biological age or pace of aging of an adult dog, said method comprising determining the levels of one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of (1) blood globulin levels, (2) blood total protein, (3) blood alkaline phosphatase, (4) blood platelet count, (5) blood mean corpuscular volume or (6) urine specific gravity, comparing the results with values obtained from healthy dogs of a known age and of a similar category (toy, small, medium, large or giant). Kits, systems and/or computer media for carrying out the method form further aspects of the invention.

A rope severing device for cutting a rope after a continued compressive force is disclosed. The rope severing device includes a housing having a base and a top and the top is movably mounted to the base such that the top can move axially with respect to the base. A blade is positioned at least partially within the housing and fixedly mounted with respect to the base. In some embodiments, an elastic member is positioned inside the housing in contact with the base and a damper is attached to the base to dampen relative movement of the top and the base. Upon application of a compressive force to the housing, the top moves toward the base and the blade is at least partially exposed through an opening in the top to sever a rope attached to the rope severing device.

A rope severing device for cutting a rope after a continued compressive force is disclosed. The rope severing device includes a housing having a base and a top and the top is movably mounted to the base such that the top can move axially with respect to the base. A blade is positioned at least partially within the housing and fixedly mounted with respect to the base. In some embodiments, an elastic member is positioned inside the housing in contact with the base and a damper is attached to the base to dampen relative movement of the top and the base. Upon application of a compressive force to the housing, the top moves toward the base and the blade is at least partially exposed through an opening in the top to sever a rope attached to the rope severing device.