Attaching trackers, microchipping, and other ways to keep your cat safe from theft or loss

Most pet owners do their best to protect their cats are safe from any sort of harm such as making sure they have a good diet or keep them indoor to avoid any accidents. Many cat moms and dad do their best to maintain the general well-being of their fur baby.

Many studies show that indoor felines live longer, healthier lives than their outdoor counterparts. They are less prone to getting diseases, having accidents, and being lost or stolen. However, many curious cats still find themselves on the wrong side of the door.

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Why Cats Run Away from Home

There are many reasons why cats run away from home, and not all of them are your fault. Here are a few of them:

Cats Escape to Mate

When not fixed through spaying or neutering, even the happiest and most content cats can be prone to escape when they are in heat. Many cats in heat will often exhibit various signs of discomfort, aggression, and desire to release their tension by finding the nearest available cat (even if they’re outdoors).

Your Cat Does Not Like Your New Home

While changing homes is a normal part of every person’s life, it’s not the most pleasant experience for your cat. When their new home does not fit their standards, a cat that is very attached to their previous home will sometimes try to return to it for a sense of normalcy.

Your Cat Dislikes A New Family Member

Many cats are very particular about their territory, which means they can get easily upset when new family members are not integrated into it properly. Often, cats need time to adjust to new romantic partners or other pets. During this tumultuous period, some cats will attempt to run away to get some peace.

Cats Like Adventure

Other times, they simply enjoy the idea of adventure. Some cats are naturally inquisitive and want to know what is on the other side of the front door. Either way, domesticated cats that find themselves alone in the world will likely be in imminent and real danger.

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The Fate of Escaped Cats

Unlike outdoor cats, many indoor cats do not have the skills necessary to survive in the wild such as not knowing how to hunt and protect themselves from predators to not knowing how to cross the road safely. For the unsuspecting indoor cats in the wild, hundreds of potential risks put them at risk.

Many escaped, domestic cats can be spotted easily from a mile away. They appear fearful, lost, and even panicked in the midst of the outside environment. If they are lucky enough to survive but unable to find their way home to you, there are two places they might end up in – shelters or another family.

Additionally, when it comes to expensive breeds and friendly felines, thieves will not think twice about snatching them up and sell them for profit. Having the necessary details attached to them will alert possible buyers of their real owners during a health evaluation.

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How to Add Identification on Your Cat

If you are worried about your cat being lost or stolen, here are a few ways to help them find their way back home to you:

Add Your Contact Details On Their Collar

While it’s not as common for cats to have collars, putting one on your cat can make a huge difference. With collars, rescuers don’t have to guess if they have homes or are strays that should be sent to the shelter immediately. Collars are the fastest way to check if they have owners and their exact contact details.

When fitting out your cat for a collar, make sure that it is secure enough that they cannot easily remove it by themselves but still comfortable. Choose contact details that you regularly check and are not likely to change easily - email addresses and phone numbers.

Attach a GPS Tracker

An alternative to a name tag with your contact details, attaching a GPS tracker to your cat is the next best thing you can do to keep track of them. Many lightweight GPS trackers can be attached to cat collars easily.

GPS trackers often come with applications that you can use through your mobile device. With GPS trackers, you can identify the general location where they are allowed to be. You may also set up alerts if your cat exits your pre-defined safe areas.

Get Your Cat Microchipped

While devious thieves will likely be able to throw away a well-designed collar and GPS tracker, they won’t be able to remove a microchip easily. Microchips are a great way to leave information about how to contact you when your pet is found. Many shelters and veterinarians check microchip details and can alert owners of any suspected activity.

Microchips are generally safe, painless, and affordable when done by licensed and trained professionals. The overall effectiveness of a microchip is also dependent on how updated your details are inside the microchip. So you will not forget, make it a part of the annual check-up of your cat to update their microchip details.

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Protect Your Cat from Being Lost

With so many dangers outdoors, keeping our cats safe can be challenging. There are many reasons that your cat may have for wanting to leave your home such as their need to mate, being unhappy with new family members, and missing their old homes.

Regardless of the reason, cats can be very determined when it comes to escaping and will do whatever it takes to breathe the outside world air.

While we cannot always avoid accidentally letting our furry friends sneak away from our grasps, we can prevent further harm by investing in tags, microchips, and GPS trackers. These things can make a significant difference when trying to track them down after a successful escape.

Losing a cat is one of the most terrifying experiences that a pet owner can have. Not knowing if our cats are safe can keep many of us up all night. The experience may not be entirely avoidable, but it can be significantly less stressful with the right preparation.