21 July 2011 GAZETTE 17
GazettePETS PETS
Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA
THE FACTS: THE QUICK-RELEASE CAT SAFETY COLLAR CAN SAVE YOUR CAT’S LIFE
Accessories that keep your cat safe T HIS week I want to dedicate my column to all cat owners and urge them to please, please be responsible and fit your Kitties with quick-release cat collarsand this is the reason why. Last week one of our inspectors brought in what we believe to be a four-month-old kitten who, unfortunately, discovered first-hand just how dangerous razor wire fencing can be; especially when you’re not wearing a quick-release collar and are rendered helpless when you try to free yourself. I won’t go into detail because I don’t wish to upset readers, but suffice it to say, by the time somebody found Kitty, alerted
us to her plight and our ambulance raced to the scene, heartbreakingly, she had gone beyond veterinary care. This was a very sad state of affairs that could almost certainly have been prevented if the cat had been wearing a quick-release collar. You see cats are naturally curious. I understand this – I’m a nosey old biddy myself. However, I’m an adult human who knows when she’s out of her depth; realising when to back off. But a cat won’t and will get herself into really tight spots; for example, hooked on a wire fence, caught in a tree branch, snagged on a window latch, etc. and she needs to be able to free herself quickly and
The collar keeps your cat safe and works as ID too
safely. So, what is a quickrelease collar and why are they important?
It’s a collar that has a breakaway clasp that snaps open under little or no pressure allowing your cat to release herself if she gets caught on an object. These collars are
recommended by all animal welfare organisations and every cat re-homed by us at the Dublin SPCA will be wearing one. Does this mean my cat doesn’t need a microchip if she gets out?
Your cat should be fitted with a microchip as a permanent means of
identification because the quick-release collar does exactly as its name states – it allows your cat free herself if her collar gets caught, trapping her and causing her difficulty. Once it latches onto something, Kitty tugs, collar flies open, kitty is released and off she runs, hence no ID. Again, all cats re-homed from the Dublin SPCA are fitted with a microchip before they leave our premises.
My cat’s an indoor cat; she doesn’t need a quick-release collar/ microchip?
Can I put a quickrelease cat collar on my dog?
How do I fit my cat’s collar?
Absolutely not! Dogs need to wear collars designed to stay on for use with their leads, but cats need to be able to wear collars that open up in the event of an emergency.
Yes, she does. What if she gets caught on a window latch while you’re out at the shops…how will she free herself? When she does manage to free herself, what if she escapes through an open door/window, gets frightened, disoriented? How will the finder identify her owner?
You know your cat’s collar fits correctly when you can fit two of your fingers between it and your cat’s neck. It’s important to know and understand what type of collar you’re looking for, and it’s very
much a personal choice, but, above all, the purpose of the collar is to provide identification, perform safely and be comfortable for your cat. So, please, if you’re a cat parent and want to ensure your feline friend is purrrfectly safe, and ensure your own peace of mind, then go out today and purchase a quick-release cat safety collar. Better still, drop into our gift shop, Central Bark, at the Dublin SPCA, Mount Venus Road, and check out our stock. Our vets will also be happy to microchip your animal for only €25. No appointment necessary. For more information log onto www.dspca.ie or email me at miriam.kerins@dspca.ie