Collars or No?

What do you guys prefer in general, just a microchip for your cat, or shipped along with wearing a collar?

I have two cats, both of which are microchipped, but I don't keep collars on them. They are house pets but I'm always concerned about the probability of them getting snagged on something.

I know there are pros and cons of having a collar, even a break-away collar. How do you handle the situation with your cat(s)?

If your cat goes out or can sneak out, by all means have a tag on him. Any neighbor that finds him can read the tag and get him back to you right away. A collar or harness is also visable sign that this is an owned cat and not a stray. But cat collars are designed to stretch or break if they get caught, because unlike dogs, cats climb and can get that collar hung-up on something and strangle (and NEVER use a dog collar on a cat). Most of my cats go collarless because they never go out and my place is relatively escape proof. I had one cat though who went out on a tie-out or for walks on a leash, as well as trying to sneak out on his own, so he wore a harness ALL the time, with ID tags on it. And I will have collars on cats that haven't been chipped yet. Any cats that travel with me wear a harness with tags. But cat collars come off, and I have had the occational cat get out of a harness, so I ALWAYS MICROCHIP!!!! A tag is quick and easy for the adverage person to read without a scanner, but a microchip is something the cat can't wiggle out of! After two trips to Katrina, I'm ready to chip anything that moves!
And while we're on the subject, urge your Veterinarian to scan any new animal coming into their practice, and then run the chip registry. If it was chipped by the shelter, this will check that it's readable and remind the new owner to register the chip if they haven't. If it was stray, free-to-a-good-home, or a gift from a friend, it might turn out to be someone's missing pet that they've been searching for quite a while to find. Furthermore, if your pet gets lost and it's been months or years and you've given up ever seeing them again, if you move or change your phone number, notify the microchip registry! Pets have been found years later and several states away, and gotten home again thanks to that microchip. But it only works if you keep that contact info up to date!!!!!

I have three cats and they are totally indoor. The youngest is about 8 and he has not been out side since he was brought in as a little kitten found in the park, starving. The two girls, mother & daughter have not been outside since they were brought in about 15 years ago when mom was found with her kittens. We found home for all the kittens but one and kept her and mom. They are all spayed/neutered. No collars. As they do not even try to go outside they are not chipped either. They do get their shots and dental care, the male had surgery for urinary crystals a few years ago.

I remember the good old days... where I used to live, people just let their cats go out whenever they want without worrying lol.

When you talked about micro chip, I thought it was something you can track it on a handhold device with a screen and beeping faster when you get closer.

All of my cats (with one exception) have been strictly indoor, so I didn't think they needed to be microchiped. Then someone pointed out to me that all it takes is one broken window and they have an escape route. That's when I retro-fitted all my cats.

(02-22-2012 07:21 PM)Karenskatz Wrote:  If your cat goes out or can sneak out, by all means have a tag on him. Any neighbor that finds him can read the tag and get him back to you right away. A collar or harness is also visable sign that this is an owned cat and not a stray. But cat collars are designed to stretch or break if they get caught, because unlike dogs, cats climb and can get that collar hung-up on something and strangle (and NEVER use a dog collar on a cat). Most of my cats go collarless because they never go out and my place is relatively escape proof. I had one cat though who went out on a tie-out or for walks on a leash, as well as trying to sneak out on his own, so he wore a harness ALL the time, with ID tags on it. And I will have collars on cats that haven't been chipped yet. Any cats that travel with me wear a harness with tags. But cat collars come off, and I have had the occational cat get out of a harness, so I ALWAYS MICROCHIP!!!! A tag is quick and easy for the adverage person to read without a scanner, but a microchip is something the cat can't wiggle out of! After two trips to Katrina, I'm ready to chip anything that moves!
And while we're on the subject, urge your Veterinarian to scan any new animal coming into their practice, and then run the chip registry. If it was chipped by the shelter, this will check that it's readable and remind the new owner to register the chip if they haven't. If it was stray, free-to-a-good-home, or a gift from a friend, it might turn out to be someone's missing pet that they've been searching for quite a while to find. Furthermore, if your pet gets lost and it's been months or years and you've given up ever seeing them again, if you move or change your phone number, notify the microchip registry! Pets have been found years later and several states away, and gotten home again thanks to that microchip. But it only works if you keep that contact info up to date!!!!!

My cats are all indoor cats but with that being said there is always a chance they may get out. I did get mine chipped and also I put break away collars on them. I also put a small bell on the collar so I know where they are along with a small tag with my info on it in case they get away. I have had no trouble with the collars yet. I like the bell idea to as if they do get out the birds in the area will be warned by the sound of the bell. : )