We issue collar warnings after cats are injured and die
We have issued a warning to pet parents about the dangers certain collars can present to cats. The right collar can cats are injured cause severe injuries, and even fatalities for cats. Our helpline received over 60 reports last year of cats that had been hurt by their collars.
Collar cutting into skin
Kate Levesley, our inspector was called to collect a cat from Aston, Birmingham, last month (6/12). The black female cat was found lying on the roadside with her leg in her collar, which was cutting into her skin.
Avoid injuries by using quick-release collars
Cats are curious and natural hunters.
Quick-release collars are designed to release cats from their collars when they are tugged enough.
Elasticated collars, or collars with buckles, that aren’t released without human intervention can cause cats to struggle to get free of their legs. This can lead to severe and sometimes fatal injuries.
Some collars can do serious damage
Ollie the tabby cat
Ollie, the tabby cat Ollie, came to us in July 2013 after being rescued in Biddulph. Due to his buckle collar getting stuck on his leg, Ollie also had a severe injury to the neck. This injury is believed to have occurred over a period of three weeks. The collar was infected and was embedded completely into his neck. He was treated at Stapeley Grange Cattery.
Poppy, the black cat
Poppy, a black cat from Sheffield, was found with a serious collar injury under her right foreleg. Liz Braidley, Animal Welfare Officer in Sheffield saved her. After being injured under her right front leg, she spent weeks at the vets. After she was fully recovered, the vet adopted her and gave her a forever home.
Charlie the grey long-haired cat
Our West Yorkshire rescue team rescued Charlie, a grey long-haired cat. He was seen limping and had his foot stuck in the collar. It was a very serious wound that had turned into a very unpleasant and foul-smelling infection. The collar had become embedded in his armpit, causing muscle damage.
The vet determined that he had been suffering from severe pain for about two or three weeks before he could be saved. Charlie had surgery the next day, and was very well recovered. For almost a full year, he was taken care of by the Halifax, Bradford, Bradford and District branch, as well as one fosterer. He finally recovered and was rehomed.
Additional Resource:
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/cats-meow
https://icatcare.org/
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/cat