Escape notification system

An escape notification system for monitoring the presence of a selected pet within a defined area, said escape notification system being adapted to selectively communicate through a communication network, said escape notification system comprising:

• a base unit including:
• a controller in communication with the communication network;
• a transmitter in communication with said controller;
• a receiver in communication with said controller;
• a location inquiry signal generator in communication with said controller for generating a location inquiry signal, said transmitter adapted to broadcast said location inquiry signal;
• a transmitting antenna in communication with said base unit for broadcasting a containment signal;
• and
• a pet unit worn by said pet, said pet unit comprising:
• a processing unit;
• a receiver in communication with said processing unit and adapted to receive said containment signal and said location inquiry signal, said processing unit generating a location alert signal upon receipt of said containment signal, said processing unit generating a location inquiry response signal upon receipt of said location inquiry signal, said base unit receiver being adapted to receive said location inquiry response signal, said base unit controller being adapted to discriminate whether said location inquiry response signal has been received in response to said location inquiry signal and to activate the communication network in the event said location inquiry response signal has not been received in response to said location inquiry signal, said location inquiry signal being periodically broadcast through a selected duration after said location alert signal is received, so long as each said location inquiry signal is followed by receipt of said location inquiry response signal by said base unit receiver;
• a transmitter in communication with said processing unit for transmitting said location alert signal;
• and
• a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for monitoring a position of the pet after the pet has been determined to have escaped from said defined area.