collar or not?

[Ela]

The info on the tags would let someone know immediately that they are lost

The only downside I see to that is that when people see a cat with a collar many assume it has an owner so would not necessarily look anyway.

Please don't think I am being argumentative I am not, I am just stating what I hear on a regular basis when I ask why someone did not report the cat before. Obviously if they are involved in an accident that may be different but of course any cat taken to a rescue or any vet would be immediately scanned anyway.

[Kirst]

No collars for mine , and no playtime outside after dusk! (much to Beavis disgust!)
Fred-cat also doesnt have a collar but as he came to us as a stray he cannot beat to be locked in anywhere so he has outdoor access all the time.

Both are micro-chipped.

[Tiggy's Mum]

Collar

Breakaway type only though.  Mine don't wear them indoors but when I let them into the (catproofed) garden the first thing I do is put their collars on.  The info on the tags would let someone know immediately that they are lost, they say 'New to area, if you are reading this I am lost'.

[Yvonne]

My grown up cats do not have collars on but the kittens do, safety collars.  They do work, we have lost a few.

[Millys Mum]

Not.

Im with Ela.
I tried the break away collars when my lot first went out, they got their jaws in them and they didnt snap apart. Mine are chipped and uncollared. In from dusk til dawn and also in when no one is home to supervise them.

[sallyagdm]

I would say no to collars after my previous cat when she was young somehow got her mouth caught in it. Breakaway safety collars did not exist then and I was grateful that I was around to free her, while getting lots of bites and scratches along the way as she got very frightened. Since then I have avoided collars like the plague and have my current cats microchipped

[Ela]

This topic does seem to cause a strong reaction, so be preapred!

I am saying nothing.

Oops changed my mind. All I would say is that I have dealt with many injuries some fatal due  to collars and some of them have been  some makes of so called safety collars. As far as I can recall none of them the make named in these posts. Having said that I personally would never recommend collars but that is just my opinion and obviously many people have different thoughts and reasons for those thoughts on this topic.

[Lesley Frankie]

Break-away collars for my two! They are microchiped, but as that's not a visible indication that they have a home, I use collars with thier phone number printed on ( www.kittycollars.co.uk). So far, one collar has been lost but at least the cat returned safely.

[JackSpratt]

Mine (and Noni!) all wear quick release collars and seem perfectly happy to do so. This topic does seem to cause a strong reaction, so be prepared!

[Mark]

Like these www.kittycollars.co.uk

Plenty of people on here have seen horrific injuries, some needing amputation after using some so-called elasticated safety collars. Some people argue that if their cat went AWOL, not everyone would think of getting them to a vet to scan the chip. It's a difficult one, but yes breakaway only. You may lose a few over time but better than the alternative.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

This question always produces strong views.

I am a no collar person but all I will say is if you wish to use a collare make sure its a proper safety one with a clasp that breaks open if the collar gets caught. The ones with elastic can cause very nasty injuries.

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

NO collar for me !!

I have 11 cats, all mirco-chipped and none wear collars

[nellie jones]

 I was just wondering what are everyones views on collars? I am planning to have my kitten chipped when he goes in for his op, and then I will let him out, I did the same with my last cat but never gave him a collar as well? I am in two minds this time, what do you think?