I was looking to buy a cat shock collar when Google directed me to this web site. I read a few of the negative and ill in-formed opinions expressed, and felt compelled to give my "two cents" worth. Thus, I have signed up and now can not find the forum that I originally saw. Sorry.
I have a rescued cat from the local shelter. We have had her for five years now. Prior to her arrival, we have two small dogs. They use a doggie door to go in and out at their leisure. Our kitty soon learned by watching and natural curiosity that she too, could get out. Fearing for her safety (getting lost, cars, coyotes) we purchased a cat shock collar.
We tried it on ourselves, by carrying the collar towards the doggie door where we set up the receiver. It feels like any "shock" you would get from something mild....the usual tingling in the fingers. Even one of the 4 year old grandchildren picked it up. They just dropped it and started laughing because it felt "weird".
If our kitty gets to close to the door, she gets a warning beep. She turns away. She knows exactly how close she can get and sit. If the battery goes dead, and we don't catch it, she knows that too and will be out the doggie door.
During the winter, she does not wear it at all. I guess the cold and the snow hinders her enthusiasm to go outside. During the summer when I go into the fenced in back yard, I take it off of her and she stays in the back yard. When I go in, I call her from whatever bush she is under and her and the dogs trot right in.
We have recently acquired another kitty from the shelter. He has not figured out why or how the dogs go outside. But come Spring and him getting older, I know he will figure it out. And yes, for his safety, I will put one on him.
Because of my experience with the collar over the past 5 years, I can truthfully say that there is no cruelty involved. My cat is beautiful, loving, playful, spoiled with toys, has a six foot cat condo, and free access to a two storey home......except the five feet around the doggie door.
I have a rescued cat from the local shelter. We have had her for five years now. Prior to her arrival, we have two small dogs. They use a doggie door to go in and out at their leisure. Our kitty soon learned by watching and natural curiosity that she too, could get out. Fearing for her safety (getting lost, cars, coyotes) we purchased a cat shock collar.
We tried it on ourselves, by carrying the collar towards the doggie door where we set up the receiver. It feels like any "shock" you would get from something mild....the usual tingling in the fingers. Even one of the 4 year old grandchildren picked it up. They just dropped it and started laughing because it felt "weird".
If our kitty gets to close to the door, she gets a warning beep. She turns away. She knows exactly how close she can get and sit. If the battery goes dead, and we don't catch it, she knows that too and will be out the doggie door.
During the winter, she does not wear it at all. I guess the cold and the snow hinders her enthusiasm to go outside. During the summer when I go into the fenced in back yard, I take it off of her and she stays in the back yard. When I go in, I call her from whatever bush she is under and her and the dogs trot right in.
We have recently acquired another kitty from the shelter. He has not figured out why or how the dogs go outside. But come Spring and him getting older, I know he will figure it out. And yes, for his safety, I will put one on him.
Because of my experience with the collar over the past 5 years, I can truthfully say that there is no cruelty involved. My cat is beautiful, loving, playful, spoiled with toys, has a six foot cat condo, and free access to a two storey home......except the five feet around the doggie door.
