Cat Collars/Tags

[pandora]

Got my tag from Pets at home.  they have an engraving machine with up to three lines of text.

[Millys Mum]

Make sure any engraving is clearly done, a pen knife doesnt make clear numbers, and then its no use!

[berties mum]

Mine are from pettag.co.uk - same company who you can order from via Pets At Home, but much quicker to do it online 

Totally agree with the comments below re. microchipping - the lady who found my Matilda said she wouldn't have thought about a microchip even though she was a cat owner herself, and said that if she hadn't found a tag on Tilly, she would have just moved her to the kerb and driven away.  She was knocked down a mile away from my house, in an area I didn't even know she ever went to, so I don't know how long it would have taken to find out what had happened to her, if she hadn't been wearing a tag 

[wharfevalley catsprotection]

I got my tags from e-bay and there fine.

When I went to my parents and took Katie with me I was a bit paranoid that i'd lose her (not that we let her out, just if she escaped), so she had a Marla Kittycollar on with my mum and dad's home phone number and microchipped on it. She also had a tag which said she was on holiday and then gave their address, on the back it had mine and my dad's mobile number on it!!!

At home she alternates between Marla's collar with my home phone and microchipped on it and another plain collar with a tag on it. My cat doesn't go furthur than a few metres from the house though so fingers crossed they'll never have to be used!

[Bryony84]

Where does everyone get their tags from?

[ccmacey]

Harry has my mobile no on his, nothing else.

Do all people really know what microchipped means and what to do next?

I use Ancol safety buckle collars, I have to buy in bulk as he likes to take them off himself, outside 

I only pay £1.80 for them though so its not too drastic. Next lot of 6 will be coming tomorrow, lets see how long these last.

[Tiggy's Mum]

What do you write on yours?

An essay!  Mine have clear plastic tags which read:

Lucas
07*** ******
01*** ******
MICROCHIPPED

and on the back...

NEW TO AREA
If you are reading
this he is lost
MICROCHIPPED

It's all academic now as Lucas keeps his on for no longer than 6 minutes and I felt guilty making Riley wear one if his brother didn't!  They are indoor only at the moment anyway but as soon as my garden is cat proofed I'll insist they wear one until I know it is completely escape proof!

If we're talking about the security aspect of phone numbers and addresses, if you're in the phone book it has your full name, address and home phone number so I don't see the harm of having a phone number on the tag.  If you're worried you could just put your surname instead of the cats' name, a postcode, a phone number or a combination...

[berties mum]

That's what I thought Bryony - it's easy enough to change a mobile number if you get any hassle 

[Bryony84]

Putting a mobile number on is a good idea, I was worried that my home number could be linked too easily with my house details should it fall into the wrong hands, but a mobile number is a great idea - I think I might do that with mine when I buy them.

[berties mum]

I've got my mobile number on my cats' collars, as if one of them was missing I'd be out looking so the landline number would be no good!  I got special collar tags saying that they're chipped when I upgraded to Petlog premium, so those are on their tags too.  I understand why some people wouldn't put their phone numbers on their cats' tags, but when my Matilda was knocked down, it was witnessed by a lady who immediately got my number from her tag and rang me.  It could have been a long time before anyone would have found the body and scanned it for a chip, so I'm glad my number was on the tag.

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I would put a contact phone number and something to the effect that the cat is microchipped.  I think a phone number is essential as if your cat is lost, that makes it easy for someone to get in touch and let you know.  Sadly, many people will not bother taking the cat somewhere to have a chip read, but if they can just ring a phone number they are probably more likely to make an effort.  And in the sad event of your cat being run over and found by the side of the road it's easy for a passerby to check for a collar/tag and ring a phone number to let you know.

[Bryony84]

I think if I had something written on the collar, it would just be: microchipped

I'm a cynic and don't like putting my phone number or address on anything even if it is my cat because that information could be used against me. If it says that the cat is microchipped then if they are lost and found by someone, they will be able to take the cat to a vet or rescue to get the information.

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

I'd contact Marla at Kitty Collars and ask. Depending on the collar size they have a limit of how much info can go on the collars. I got my phone number only on the two I bought, there would be no room for anything else. Also consider if the cat maybe has a medical condition, to state that. Just an thought.

[CharlieFarley]

What do you write on yours?

I want to buy collars from here http://www.kittycollars.co.uk/personalised-cat-collars.htm for our 2 boys who will be going out soon, and am not sure what to put.  I was advised not to put the cats name, as then whoever steals the cat will know the cats name (sad world having to think like that).  So do i put address then phone number, or 'microchipped' and phone number?  Not sure on the security aspect of putting our address on there? 

What do you think?