Where can I find safe kitty collars? And thoughts on microchipping...

[friesianrider]

After my Shadow's disappearance, I'm going to microchip and collar all my kitties. Regretfully, I've not collared the outdoors because I always worried that they will get caught on something - I've since learned there are safer collars out there to prevent this.

So, do you use and like a particular kitty collar? And also, does anyone know of any negatives to microchipping? Thanks in advance, guys! :)

[Robeson]

1. Most pet stores have breakaway collars for cats so that if they get ...

...stuck, they will come undone. Just go to a pet store and I'm sure they will have them. Some of them are also reflective, so that if your kitty is out at night, they will reflect off light. If you don't have a store close, here's some sources off the web where you can order them:

http://www.pettags.com/products/index.cfm?fuseaction=category§ionID=5

http://www.krazykollars.com/

http://petoccasion.com/cats.htm

[flvegan]

2. Microchipping: Great idea, but

Check locally (with the shelters most likely to wind up with one of your kitties) what scanners they have. There are 3 or 4 major chipmakers, and most scan with most scanners...but not all. HomeAgain and Avid are two of the more popular ones around here.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. The reflective breakaway collars...

are great -- I've used them on all my cats that go outdoors over the years. Several of my cats gave come home without their collars on occassion, which meant the collars did their job. Better to have to pick up a new collar than risk having your kitty stuck on something.

[livetohike]

4. My dogs were adopted from shelters and microchipping

was done there before I brought them home. We move around alot, so the main thing is to keep your address/info current with whatever company the microchip is programmed for.