Do you feel bad leaving your dog home alone when run errands or head to work for the day? Just because you’re gone, that doesn’t mean you can’t keep your pup active and engaged. A new IndieGogo campaign for a smart ball called PlayDate is promising some cool, new technology that will help pet parents play remotely using their smartphones or via web browser.

The high-tech ball has a special wide-angle camera that allows you to view live HD video of your best friend at home, from wherever you are. Then, you can choose whether to simply let your pooch be or to invite him to play by moving the ball itself. You can even communicate with and listen to your pet through the device’s microphone.

The campaign has about a month left and has already well exceeded its funding goal, so pet lovers who contribute can expect to see units available this December, with a wider push into the market for early- to mid-2017. In fact, if you donate just $5, your pledge will go to a local no-kill shelter to benefit other animals. And to further help, the PlayDate founders plan to donate toys to pets up for adoption, as well as some to troops so that our military can play with their dogs (and cats!) back home.