Author Topic: Cat Collars  (Read 3499 times)

Offline HaneyHarperIndyMum (Val)

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Re: Cat Collars
« Reply #10 on: March 06, 2008, 21:58:28 PM »
I have attached loc8tor trackers to their collars so I can track them as I feel there is a risk of them wandering with their new found freedom which they are loving.  In my ideal world, microchips would contain GPS technology and then I would definitely dispense with the collars!
What a great idea!  I never heard of the loc8tor trackers before.  I'm going to look into that and buy that for my cats too.  I love the idea of GPS technology in microchips!  Wouldn't that be wonderful!  Like having an "OnStar" cat! lol

Offline fluffybunny

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Re: Cat Collars
« Reply #9 on: March 06, 2008, 19:01:55 PM »
My kittycollars ones have the details printed off the collar so no worries about loss of tag there (they are also chipped anyway) - I am undecided whether to keep the collars on mine in the longer term but as they are 8 years old and have only recently been allowed outside for the first time ever in their lives, I have attached loc8tor trackers to their collars so I can track them as I feel there is a risk of them wandering with their new found freedom which they are loving.  In my ideal world, microchips would contain GPS technology and then I would definitely dispense with the collars!
« Last Edit: March 06, 2008, 19:02:22 PM by fluffybunny »

Offline Ela

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Re: Cat Collars
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2008, 09:09:24 AM »
Quote
With the cat wearing ID tags, I think there is a significant difference in the cat being returned to the owner than without wearing ID tags.

I can honestly say that we reunite with owners far more cats with chips than those with collars as many with collars have lost the tags.
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Offline HaneyHarperIndyMum (Val)

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Re: Cat Collars
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2008, 19:58:44 PM »
If people chipped their cats and kept the contacts uptodate that would change that % amazingly.
How many of those cats started off lost with a collar but it came off before anybody reported them....

Yes I couldn't agree with you more.  It is more important that the cat be chipped and the information be kept up to date.  However, I do believe that a collar is still in order in addition to the chip.  The chip is only good if the cat is taken to the proper authorities to be scanned and I'm not sure many people who find a lost cat would be so kind to go that extra step.  With the cat wearing ID tags, I think there is a significant difference in the cat being returned to the owner than without wearing ID tags.

For me and my kittens, I am not planning on letting them roam free, but as a precaution, should my kittens find themselves lost, I would want to know I did everything possible to get my kittens returned back home to me.  What is the safest collar to choose for them to wear?

Offline Millys Mum

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Re: Cat Collars
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2008, 12:34:56 PM »
Quote
They stated that only 2% of cats that end up in their care are ever reunited with their owners mainly because there is no way to identify who the owner is.
If people chipped their cats and kept the contacts uptodate that would change that % amazingly.
How many of those cats started off lost with a collar but it came off before anybody reported them....

I think a US study would be very different to a UK one, in the states alot of cats run over without a collar wouldnt have an owner, they would be feral/street cats. And more cats in the US are house cats so there would be less getting in trouble with a collar...


Offline tpepaul

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Re: Cat Collars
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2008, 07:59:39 AM »
They stated that only 2% of cats that end up in their care are ever reunited with their owners mainly because there is no way to identify who the owner is.  In addition they said that the cat that is allowed to roam free but without a collar runs far more of a risk to be hit and killed by a car than the risk of being trapped and hung by it's collar. I guess it boils down to just how much risk are we willing to take?  Does the good out weight the bad? 
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That is EXACTLY the point I tried to make in the other thread but nearly got hung for and accused of being a money-grabbing weasle (not in so many words) for making because my website happens to sell cat collars! (That upset me, if you can't tell...  :( )  Some would have you believe that virtually every cat wearing a collar will get stuck in a tree - my PERSONAL belief is that there's far more risk of your cat getting lost and never seeing him or her again than that happening. And it's nice to have some verified stats that support that belief.

It is, like you say, a benefit v risk decison. But you make them every single day of your life. When you get in your car, there is a chance that you'll be in a crash. After all, thousands of people are admitted to hospital every year with injuries sustained in car crashes and I'm sure there are doctors out there who believe you'd be mental to get in a car. Many, many people die of their injuries. But does it stop you driving? No, because TO YOU the benefit outweighs the risk. THAT is my point and TO ME, the benefit of my cats wearing collars so that they can carry an ID tag (even though they're chipped as well) outweighs the risk of them getting hung in a tree.

Like I said earlier and for what it's worth, although some people prefer the elasticated type, my preference and advice is to get a good quality safety release collar...
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Offline HaneyHarperIndyMum (Val)

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Re: Cat Collars
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2008, 06:58:27 AM »

Seems to me that it's guided largely by personal experience - I'm 'for' wearing a collar (and more importantly a tag) having experienced lost cats,

But I know what you mean about being more confused than ever. Before I joined this forum I never realised there was such an anti-collar uprising!!

Thanks for your reply tpepaul.
Although this is a bit confusing, like you, I am leaning on the side of "for" wearing a collar as well.  I just want to make sure it is the safe and proper type of collar for my new kittens.  Also, I want to add that the only reason that I can see for a cat to be wearing a collar in the first place is so that the cat is properly tagged for identification purposes.  I mean without tags, what would be the point?
I just read an article written by ASPCA about cats and collars.  They had a good point.  They stated that only 2% of cats that end up in their care are ever reunited with their owners mainly because there is no way to identify who the owner is.  In addition they said that the cat that is allowed to roam free but without a collar runs far more of a risk to be hit and killed by a car than the risk of being trapped and hung by it's collar.   I guess it boils down to just how much risk are we willing to take?  Does the good out weight the bad? 

Offline tpepaul

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Re: Cat Collars
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2008, 05:46:29 AM »
Howdy doody!  :welcome:

Yes, without wishing this thread to become a repeat of the other, you'll have seen that there are quite stong opinions on both sides of the camp.
 :duel:
Seems to me that it's guided largely by personal experience - I'm 'for' wearing a collar (and more importantly a tag) having experienced lost cats, others who work in rescues are 'against' having experienced collar injuries.

Either way though, if you decide to keep them wearing a collar, breakaway collars with a safety buckle are the best kind. I won't be popular saying this,  :nite:

but lots of people actually prefer the buckle kind with elastic and ask us specifically for them as they say they keep losing the breakaway ones. They say they snap open too easily...doesn't take a genius to work out this though: that...is...the...point...of...them...  :-:

But I know what you mean about being more confused than ever. Before I joined this forum I never realised there was such an anti-collar uprising!!
« Last Edit: March 05, 2008, 05:49:40 AM by tpepaul »
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Offline JackSpratt

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Re: Cat Collars
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2008, 23:59:15 PM »




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Offline HaneyHarperIndyMum (Val)

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Cat Collars
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2008, 23:51:46 PM »
Hi everyone,

I am new to owning cats, so I am looking for a bit of advice here.  I adopted two kittens, Hunter and Harley, back in December from a rescue shelter.  They insisted that I buy two collars from them since the kittens had been microchiped and the shelter wanted to put the tags on the kittens should they become lost.  They would not have let the kittens leave the shelter without their tags being in place, so I bought both kittens collars.   I felt that it was also important that the kittens had these tags on them as well, so it really was fine with me as well.

Now, several months later, I am wondering if these kitten collars are safe?  They have a metal buckle and not a safety clasp for quick release.  The collars do have a bit of elastic string that holds the two parts of the collar together, but is that really going to be enough room for the cat to wiggle out of the collar should he become snagged on something?

My kittens have been kept indoors until 2 weeks ago, when I began to take them out to my garden to let them roam and explore.  I am out there with them and keeping a watchful eye on them, but when I saw Harley climb part way up my tree, it got me to thinking about the safety of the collars the kittens are wearing.

What types of collars are truly the best ones to use?

Hunter


Harley
« Last Edit: March 04, 2008, 23:56:53 PM by HunterHarleyMum »

 


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