Question about collars

So, there's a comfortable routine now. The two black sisters have a safe, quiet, warm garage (With warm pet beds we wash regularly). Tiger uses both straw filled shelters. And Judy, the much beloved neighborhood kitty, has taken to sleeping inside our house at night for many hours. Usually at least 6 hours, nearly straight through. Never in the 11 years of living here did I believe my grandmother-in-law would tolerate a cat inside this house (its still in her name). Even she can't resist this properly charming lady.

So, we were thinking about possibly putting a collar on her, just in case. But there are considerations. She's cared for by a lot of people, she visits at least 5 different houses. Our next door neighbor is especially fond of her. We don't wanna claim ownership, or anything. She doesn't approach strangers, but she's very friendly with people she knows. Its just an extra precaution to keep her from getting into trouble, or God forbid something happens, someone might be able to let us know. Her ear is clipped, but still... I feel a collar might be a good idea.  

My family never had success with collars. They never stayed on longer than a week before they'd get them off. Has anyone had success with putting a collar on a friendly feral? What kind would be best? She has rather sensitive skin, so I'd prefer not to use the flea and tick kind. It took a while to get her dandruff under control. And what should we do for tags? Thanks in advance for any advice. I just wanna do whatever we can to keep her as safe as possible. (I know, keeping her as an indoor cat would be safest, but it's not possible for so many reasons.)

If you use a collar, get the break-away kind.  That way, it will come off if she gets it caught on anything.  It will also give you an idea as to how long she'll wear one before she removes it herself or loses it.

Have you considered microchipping her?  You would be listed as the owner in case someone "finds" her on her travels and takes her to the vet.  It would at least give her an ID.

Excellent idea! I didn't even think about that! That would be best, I think. I know the neighbor (grumpy old man who turns sweet when it involves kitties) worries a lot when she disappears for a few days.

I may still try the break away collar. Its even easier to tell she's not some random feral that way. Might even find out if she's charmed others we don't know about. Lol

I was going to suggest a microchip too. I get all my strays microchipped when they get fixed in case they end up being taken to a shelter and so I can help them if they are injured and taken to a vet. You can get it done so cheaply now days and if you fix a lot of cats you can buy your own chips and ask the vet to implant them or so it yourself which is quite easy if you know how to give sub-q shots.

If you're going to put a collar on the little lady I would highly recommend buying several collars so you can replace them as she loses them which she probably will, at least at first. My cats and my fosters all wear collars so they can be recognized as owned cats if they would get out and some have an issue with it at first but after a while they accept them and leave them on. Some have had the same collar for years. Some cats won't wear collars with bells so it can help to remove those.

Since this cat goes outside a collar with a reflective strip may be a good idea so cars can see her better in the dark. I get my collars from jefferspet.com which has several cheap but decent collars to choose in between.

For tags I got a bunch of engraved metal tags on ebay, small hearts. You probably want to get a few of these too.