Sad news... (*Update - Not quite so sad anymore)

[Mikkel]

Ree - when you get the kitty back (it's extremely important to think positive!) - I'd suggest getting her microchipped. You can get your own kit or have a vet do it. Getting your own kit is about $60 (includes registration) and having a vet do it (the injection) is usualy under $100.

But the microchip can only be detected by a shelter or a vet, do vets use ear tattoos in US? Anybody can see them and look them up on the internet. In Denmark it's on http://dansk-katteregister.dk .
My cats are outdoor cats, I use this to find them when I want them home. I don't know if it will help Ree, probably the collar will have slipped off or the batteries died before the cat has a chance to flee again, but, damn, I can find their collars at least .

Congratulations, to know that the cat lives and look well is great, now you only have to catch him. See if he sniffs around at the window where he got out, you may just have to open that window and call or rattle his dish.

[BookstoreEscapee]

But the microchip can only be detected by a shelter or a vet, do vets use ear tattoos in US? Anybody can see them and look them up on the internet. In Denmark it's on http://dansk-katteregister.dk .

Ree's in Canada, but I have heard of tattoos in the US. Pablo had a chip on his shoulder (ha) but it never had to be used (which is good since the info in it was outdated for at least the last 3 years). I don't know if a lot of people would think to look for a tattoo, though.

[draggar]

I haven't heard of tattooing cats but many imported dogs (and ones that need that verification).

True, too, only vets and shelters can scan but normally if you find an animal that you are thinking about keeping - don't you bring it to the vet?

The issue with locator devices is that it is something that is on them and cats can remove collars etc.. microchips are injected into them (usually between the shoulders). No way to remove this etc..

[MadMike]

I'm glad to hear he's OK. Hopefully you'll get him back in the house soon.

I left flyers with his picture and my phone number all around that block on both sides, so, hopefully, if someone has been harbouring him, they will know he belongs to me now, and will give me a call.

I was thinking it was quite possible that he found a second home. Back when our cats were still allowed outside (they passed a law against it back in '97), my one cat apparently adopted a second family whose house had a fireplace. She's always come back smelling like smoke, and I don't think it was cigarette smoke because that smells different from a fireplace.

[RootedPhoenix]

*happy dances at sighting!* I hope Harper comes home soon.

[Mikkel]

True, too, only vets and shelters can scan but normally if you find an animal that you are thinking about keeping - don't you bring it to the vet?

I would, but many would just feed a stray and wouldn't go to a vet if there was nothing wrong with the animal. Here in Denmark, at least, it's known that cats often are ear tattooed, most people would look in the ears of a stray.

The issue with locator devices is that it is something that is on them and cats can remove collars etc.. microchips are injected into them (usually between the shoulders). No way to remove this etc..

Yes, I don't say that a locator can be used instead of a chip, the advantage of the locator is that I can just take a walk and find the cat, or at least find the place where he slipped the collar. The locator will beep when I'm about 30 meters from the cat, whether I can see him or not.

She's always come back smelling like smoke, and I don't think it was cigarette smoke because that smells different from a fireplace.

My cats frequently smell of wood smoke too, I've always thought it was because they run on my neighbours roofs and catch the smell from the chimneys

[Eric the Grey]

Glad to read a positive update Ree. Keep your spirits up, which shouldn't be too difficult, since you know he's safe right now.

*crosses fingers*

I know how it is. My baby (4 years old, but still the youngest and smallest of my two) got out last summer and spend most of the day outside. Luckily she didn't go too far, and I found her that evening when she came home to meow at the fence. She let me pick her up and hold her for a long time. She was shaking the whole time, poor thing.

Best of luck.


Eric the Grey

[Evil Queen]

Ree - when you get the kitty back (it's extremely important to think positive!) - I'd suggest getting her microchipped. You can get your own kit or have a vet do it. Getting your own kit is about $60 (includes registration) and having a vet do it (the injection) is usualy under $100.

Wow, that's expensive. I haven't seen it cost more then $15.

Good luck catching the kitten Ree!