Collars on feral/barn cats?

lochness350

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2014
Messages
52
Purraise
6
Ok, ok.  I know I have been on here several times fretting about my feral cats. I am not the best at having "outdoor" cats because I think about them day and night and worry for them constantly!! They are feral and so I knew going the TNR route would be the best option but it is still hard watching them in the cold and dark from my warm home with my spoiled other cats.  I have 5 total ferals with the last two I had done being microchipped (it was not offered with the other three that I had done first which make me so sad). So here is my question of the day (LOL)-Since I think of these cats as more of "barn" cats than feral, should I put a collar on them?  I have 7 acres and a barn but noticed that they are travelling a little far into the woods and probably the neighborhood beyond it. I am worried that someone will try and trap them, take them to the shelter and they will be euthanized since the three are not microchipped (I am going to try and get this done asap just am lacking the funds). Their ears are tipped but I don't think that means much in the county I live in. I tried calling the shelter one day because I thought one of my cats were lost and the lady there had no idea what TNR was. I was shocked and disheartened.  I have notified a few of my neighbors about the cats just to give them a heads up, but there are too many others.  I am not really sure how I would get them on them anyway since I can't touch them yet, but maybe eventually they will trust me enough.  So collar--yes or no? =
 
Last edited:

ondine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
5,312
Purraise
780
Location
Burlington, North Carolina
If they will accept a collar, make sure you get them the break-away kind.  That way, there is no danger they'd get it caught on something.

Is there a possibility that you can re-trap the first three and have them chipped, instead?  Might save you some worry.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

lochness350

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2014
Messages
52
Purraise
6
I am in talks with a local rescue to help me find reasonable place to take them.  My vet is pretty pricey and I know they will need anesthesia to get it done.  That will add up real quick.  Do you think I should still collar them after they are microchipped?  Or they are fine without it?  I know when I see any outdoor cat I am usually relieved to see a collar.  I just really want to protect the cats as much as I can.
 

ondine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
5,312
Purraise
780
Location
Burlington, North Carolina
A collar would certainly be a visual sign they are being cared for. But again, use break-away collars. You may end up replacing them fairly often, though.
 

kittychick

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jul 2, 2013
Messages
1,611
Purraise
1,960
Location
Ohio
Out our shelters we'e even seen breakaways snag them with poor outcomes (some they manage). Maybe I'm biased -- tipped left ear is the universal sign. If you feel you just have to add a breakaway -research the brand, & check the cat periodically.

Keep us posted !
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

lochness350

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2014
Messages
52
Purraise
6
More than likely I will not collar them. I would rather not because I have heard/read horror stories. Even though the "tipped" ear is the universal sign, it is not where I live which is why I am concerned. TNR is illegal in my county and the shelter does not recognize it. Furthermore, no one knows what it is around here and would probably assume it is some kind of injury (I live in a rural, highly pet uneducated area).  I think I will feel better once I can get the other three microchipped.  I am working on it.
 
Top