Using Skype as a Pet Monitor
Wed, 10/14/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Beauty Tips, Just For Fun
OMG! Okay, this isn’t exactly a beauty or a blogging trick, but it still blows me away.
Have you heard of Skype? It’s a free chat platform, among other things. People use it to audio/text/video chat with each other across time and space, LOL!
As if that’s not cool enough already, there’s a powerful feature sort of buried in the preferences that changes it from a chat program into a home surveillance tool/pet monitor!
It requires Skype (of course) and two different free accounts. They’re easy to create, just requiring a different email address for each one.
You’ll need two computers/laptops, each one with a webcam, speakers and a microphone (some webcams include mics).
Before leaving home for your trip, open the Skype program and log in with one of the two Skype accounts you created.
Check the boxes in the Skype preferences beside “Automatically receive video from” and “Start my video automatically.”
Leave your computer powered on while you’re gone (it needs to be turned on so you can connect to it remotely). You may also have to disable the power management settings on your computer to prevent it from shutting down after a period of inactivity (saves power but means you can’t connect to it while you’re away).
Now, from the road, you just log into Skype with your Account B, place a call to your Account A, and KAPOW! — instant pet monitor. Skype at home answers the call automatically.
I just checked on Tabs from Las Vegas using this trick, and it worked like a charm! With the computer speakers turned on, he heard my voice and meowed his reply. I feel better knowing what he’s up to while I’m gone… You never know with that cat. 
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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1. Kajal Couture said, on October 14th, 2009:
OMG that is so creative! I don’t have a pet or kids, but I am sure a lot of parents would appreciate that so they could watch what is going on at home when babysitters are there. Wait, did I just sound like a super suspicious person? I’m not, but with all that you hear on the news these days, this tool could be very useful!
Kajal Couture’s last blog post… MAC Magic, Mirth, and Mischief Blush and Nail Lacquer Review
2. Kristen said, on October 14th, 2009:
OH MY GOD! This is brilliant, Karen! I’ve always wanted a kittycam for my cat, Bella, and now I rig this up!! This is especially useful since she had surgery this week and now I can check on her from work to ease my worries.
THANK YOU!
Kristen’s last blog post… What I’m coveting
3. Kristen said, on October 14th, 2009:
OH MY GOD! This is brilliant, Karen! I’ve always wanted a kittycam for my cat, Bella, and now I rig this up!! This is especially useful since she had surgery this week and now I can check on her from work to ease my worries.
THANK YOU!
Kristen’s last blog post… What I’m coveting
4. amy said, on October 14th, 2009:
LOL that is awesome I would never have thought to use skype as a kitty cam, but I would be worried that my kitty would jump on the computer keyboard and do something weird on the computer.
amy’s last blog post… St Ives Olive Cleanser
5. Kelly said, on October 14th, 2009:
That is TOO cute Karen! I always wonder what my cats and dog are up to while I’m at work
6. Lana said, on October 14th, 2009:
Oh, I so could have used this while I was in Vegas! I left my cat (also a tabby) Jade for four days with bowls full of food and her water fountain but worried that she’s be lonely. Thankfully my aunt came to visit her frequently, but now I know what to do on shorter trips!
Thank you!
7. Ames said, on October 14th, 2009:
That is great!!!!
8. Marley said, on October 14th, 2009:
Is anyone else reminded of Angela’s nannycam on her cats on The Office?
(Husband and I always hire a sitter to stay with the cats while we’re gone. We can’t have them sleeping without a human to snuggle)
Marley’s last blog post… The Fashion-Blogger Blues
9. Tavia said, on October 14th, 2009:
I see the you like to spy on Tabs
….what if he needed some privacy for a romantic date:P
Tavia’s last blog post… NEW-Lancome Oscillation PowerFoundation! Micro-Vibrating, Polishing, Mineral Makeup SPF 21
10. All Women Stalker said, on October 14th, 2009:
Haha I laughed at he meowing his reply? The place is looking good, Karen.
-meream
11. AndreaMarie said, on October 14th, 2009:
SWEET!!!
12. Michele said, on October 14th, 2009:
Karen You ARE a genius !
Michele
13. Christy said, on October 14th, 2009:
Great idea! I’ve used Skype before to chat with friends. Such a huge money saver for long distance costs.
Christy’s last blog post… Chanel Venice Murano Quad Swatch & Review
14. danni said, on October 14th, 2009:
Very smart!!!! Now I can check on my cat when I’m away. YAY!!!! Thanks Karen!!
15. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hi Kajal Couture,
Totally! And it doesn’t really cost that much extra.
16. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hi Kristen,
Oh no, is Bella okay? I hope her health is on the up and up.
17. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hi Amy,
LOL! Tabs thankfully has never shown any interest in keyboards.
18. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hi Kelly,
LOL, wouldn’t it be funny if you checked up on them and found out they were having a raging kegger!?
19. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hi Lana,
Sure! I think your cat will like it… she’ll be comforted by the sound of your voice.
20. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hi Ames,
It’s pretty spiffy.
21. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hi Marley,
Oh, that’s cool! Do your cats snuggle with you guys every night?
22. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hi Tavia,
LOL, I didn’t think about that. He *is* a player…
23. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hi Roberta,
Sure thing!
24. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
HI Mandaxleslie,
It’s pretty cool. Do you have a cat too?
25. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hi Meream,
He totally did!
26. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hi AndreaMarie,
Happy to help!
27. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hi Michele,
Do you think you might try it? It’s pretty easy!
28. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hi Christy,
Skype is am amazing tool. I hope they never charge for the service!
29. Karen said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hi Danni,
Sure thing! Now you can make sure that your kitty is behaving while you’re gone!
30. Marley said, on October 14th, 2009:
Hey Karen! Well, we have 9 cats, so if they all piled on the bed, we’d drown in beasts…but I did wake up a few nights ago and counted 7 all snuggled around us. We have a few single guy friends who like house-sitting and don’t mind waking up with furry faces staring at them- it gives us great peace of mind to know they’re being taken care of. Cats are family, right?
Marley’s last blog post… The Fashion-Blogger Blues
31. KC said, on October 15th, 2009:
Ha – that’s so funny, we just set up our doggy web cam yesterday! We use MSN messenger right now, but we’ll have to look into Skype. Thanks!
32. L said, on October 16th, 2009:
Aww, that’s so cute of him! That’s such a good idea. I always wonder what Aisha and Tigger are up to whenever I’m gone…