Patent ID: 8166922

Claim:
A system for controlling pet access to a pet system having an interior compartment comprising: an interior compartment within a pet system to be controlled; a means for preventing pet access to said interior compartment; and a sensor system containing at least two discrete sensors configured and arranged to selectively disengage said means for preventing pet access, comprising: at least one tag that provides authorization to access said interior compartment, said at least one tag disposed on an authorized pet; a first sensor for detecting said at least one tag and disengaging said means for preventing pet access while said at least one tag is present; a second sensor detecting the overall number of animals, tagged or untagged proximate said pet system, wherein, if said second sensor detects the presence of an animal other than said authorized pet, said second sensor overrides said first sensor and engages said means for preventing pet access, and wherein said overriding of said first sensor is carried out even if an authorized tagged pet is still detected by said first sensor.