Are your cats tattooed or microchipped?

We've done neither... our issues re: microchipping are what Christy has already mentioned. I love the idea of having our cellphone number tatooed in their ears though... I'm afraid to hurt them. They're indoor only cats, but you just never know what might happen....

Max is an indoor cat only. The only time he goes outside is to go to the Vet's office and then he is in a carrier. Do you think I should still get him microchipped?

Neither of my kitties are microchipped or tattooed. I figure that there is no need to have them microchipped since they are indoor cats. Although, I guess it never hurts to have that just incase...I would DIE if one of them ran away and never came back.

Sounds like my daughters adopted cat. He is know as the horrible cat at the vet.

Horribly, he doesn't go often.

Our cat is an indoor cat that gets taken outside on a leash. The humane society I adopted him from required tattooing - I had to give them proof of neuterung and tattooing as soon as it was done (at 6 months). I feel better having him identifiable, just in case he should get out by himself and get lost. One of his brothers, an indoor-only cat, managed to get through a screen on the second storey and climb down some sort of plant. Luckily he was found right away, but these things can happen. Another thing to keep in mind is that laboratories supposedly do not take animals that are tattooed or microchipped.

All of my pets are microchipped, in addition to their (safety) collars & tags, even though the cats stay indoors. You can never be 100% sure they'll never get outside, and I used to live near Animal Control downtown (a horrible place - our city has the highest euthanasia rate in Texas - so many people here just let their animals run free & breed ). If they ended up at the pound, I knew they'd be scanned.

Does anyone know of any other (more visible) means of permanent identification? Is there a national tatoo registry? I thought I saw something a while ago about ear tags - anyone know more about it?

I voted neither.

Nobody in New Zealand gets there cats Micro-chipped or tattoed.

When I adopted my cat from the shelter she was microchipped. Linda

After reading about the breeder who came home to find someone had taken all her cats/kittens I decided to get mine chipped. Mine is through American Kennel Club or AKC you can find out about then through their web site.
I also worry about them getting out if there is a natural disaster. Tornado, earth quake, fire, flood, ect. This could lead to them getting out and running for their life. None of my neighbors know my cats as they stay inside all the time. This way they are able to find their way home.
I have been told that shelters cannot put an animal down if it has been chipped, they are required to find the owners.

jcat,
I don't know how you feel about sedatives, but sometimes the vet can give you a sedative to give your kitty at home prior to his appointment, to help make him a little easier to handle.

What is involved in having them microchipped. Do they put them to sleep to do this? Would he have to be overnight at the vet's office?

It's really simple, no sedative required. They just inject it between the shoulder blades with a needle. That's why it's so inexpensive - only takes a second to do. The needle is a little bigger than the one they use for shots, though.

If your cat is really sensitive about injections, you may want to get it done during a teeth cleaning, so he doesn't even have to feel the needle prick. You can do it when spaying or neutering a young cat, too.

Thanks Tess for the information.

Originally posted by Nora
What is involved in having them microchipped. Do they put them to sleep to do this? Would he have to be overnight at the vet's office?

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Nora,

When Peaches was chipped she didn't bat an eye or even flinch! As Tess said, it's VERY simple!

That sounds like SOME VET VISIT!!!!

All my Birmans are microchipped - I get those that are not done chipped once a year in October when our Municipal Council in conjunction with Peninsular Animal Aid or the Lort smith Animal Hospital - subsidises chips - we usually pay $16 aud if chipped before Lunch-time - first one free....a special deal which attracts hundreds.......or $20 each after lunch.

My cats are all kept indoors or in a cat proofed back yard but just in case one escaped!!!!!!!!!!! I also get desexed cats tattooeed - a common practice in australia which allows for cheaper registration with the Council. Oh yes, we have to register cats here.

Whew, we all survived the appointment, and JC has finally been microchipped (€14.36, i.e. about $16.40). That was the first time he didn't spray like a skunk. He naturally tried to bite the vet, but didn't manage to. The bad news is that he has to go back next week to have his teeth cleaned, so he might make up for being relatively good yesterday. The vet's only comment: "Well, he's not my favorite patient."

Joey is microchipped. When I adopted him from the Humane Society, they did it before I picked him up. Squirt is neither. Three years prior, microchipping was not the norm.

I'm rather surprised that 57% said their cats were neither microchipped nor tattooed. I thought it would be the norm among people who participate in cat forums, if not among the general population.

Originally posted by jcat
I'm rather surprised that 57% said their cats were neither microchipped nor tattooed. I thought it would be the norm among people who participate in cat forums, if not among the general population.

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I am a little suprised too. But maybe most keep their kitties inside and figure they're safe. Would be interesting to hear more about it.