Collared by herself... Cat is rescued after her leg is caught in her own collar for TWO WEEKS

Daily Mail [UK] ^ | 28th January 2012

[Slings and Arrows]

A hapless cat had to be rescued after trapping its leg in its own collar - for TWO WEEKS.

Distressed feline Phoebe was seen hobbling around a woman’s back garden after she managed to her right leg got caught between her neck and collar.

-snip-

Manager of the centre Katie Wickins said: 'We believe Phoebe may have accidentally caught her leg in the collar because it was made from elastic.

'These collars are advertised as being safe so that if the cat gets caught on something, the collar will stretch and allow the cat to free itself.

'Unfortunately this was not the case and the stretch in the collar allowed Phoebe to get her front leg through it.

[Dr. Sivana]

Our cat was picked up from a shelter as a one year old farm cat. He lived the first year of his life mostly outside. We live in the country, and our indoor/outdoor kitty has access to a flap, and a very large chain-linked fenced yard (won’t stop kitty from leaving if he feels like it, but keeps dogs, etc. from hard charging from off premises.

Kitty brings us presents (shrews, mice, etc.)

Kitty makes my wife’s garden stay intact better.

He is a working cat with VERY relaxed terms.

Such a cat would be TORTURED to be locked inside all of the time. When it is too cold for him to go out, he is constantly meowing for “the other outside”.

Yes, there are risks with being outside. My goal, and the cat’s, is not to live for as long as possible, learning to put up with his jail. The goal is for him to live a good cat life, and to be our pal and helper while doing so.

For cats, one type of life does not fit all.

(Recommended reading, “The Four Little Kittens”, Golden Books, 1957)

[Mercat]

The indoor outdoor quality of life debate. My cat is indoor/outdoor. He is very large, lazy, and a huge coward. He always comes home when its dark or, if he’s inside, he’ll hide and then wake us up at 3 a.m. At night he’s supposed to either be in the basement or the garage. He spends most of his time sleeping. He’s not a hunter. His only function as a pet is to look beautiful and allow us to pet him and feed him to make us feel useful.

[vetvetdoug]

I see this quite often. Then again, in NE Mississippi most people in the US would be appalled at what I see quite often.

[central_va]

Your cat is a democrat I’m afraid.....

[grey_whiskers]

Your cat is a democrat I’m afraid.....

Pardon me, but I believe that you meant to say democat.

Cheers!

[Monkey Face]

*snif-snif*

Now my eyes are leaking...

[Slings and Arrows]

I hope she finds a more responsible hoomin.

[anglian]

“the old guy somehow escaped”
I hope your kindness to your two little blessings help ease your worries. Some things only time will heal i know.

[apmoh]

Sounds like you should read Door into Summer by R.A. Heinlein...

[Dr. Sivana]

Sounds like you should read Door into Summer by R.A. Heinlein...

I've not read any Heinlen, though I've heard mostly good about him. Is this a worthy introductory book?

[Fawn]

I also rescued a cat with it’s leg caught in it’s collar about 6 months ago. Was hanging around a feral colony I feed....and I tried trapping this cat for a good week. Wouldn’t let me get near her. Then one day, setting up the drop trap, I bent down to put canned food in the dishes and this cat walked right up to me. Without missing a beat, I went right for the collar and got it off. I saw no wounds. The cat didn’t flinch. I’ll never forget it.

[AnTiw1]

They know.

[TheOldLady]

Good heavens. According to the comments at Mail Online, this problem is rampant for that kind of collar. People are calling for it to be banned and replaced with the break-away style.

Three of my four cats were adopted as kittens have been indoors all their lives, but my Rocket used to be an outdoor cat.

He has adapted well to his "prison cage," but it is 3000 sq. ft., and it has lots of huge windows on the south side for basking on the carpet in the sun. In all seasons but winter, I take him outside and supervise while he wanders around sniffing everything and eating fresh grass. He never runs away from me, probably because he's too old and arthritic to get far.

All our cats get all the food, play, catnip (Kitty Hooch mice), grooming, and pets that they want, and none of them ever even attempts to get out when we open the doors.

Oh, and in the winter, they get kitty greens.

[Slings and Arrows]

They know a good deal when they see one.

[TheOldLady]

Yes, and I'm the giant cat toy, maid, cook, and butler, LOL! And I'm also a pillow for my Rocket who likes to sit on my chest.

That's okay. I blame all my mistakes on his preventing me from typing with both hands. He's a good sport about it. He says, "Heck with the complainers!"

[pabianice]

This is how we found one of our first adopted strays, W.C. Cat.

[Slings and Arrows]

All mine are former strays. Rescues rock.

[Fred Nerks]

I agree with you, I think there’s a huge difference between a cat that lives outside in the country, and a cat in a suburban area with traffic etc.

However, I do feel sorry for the wildlife.

[mupcat]

We believe Phoebe may have accidentally caught her leg in the collar because it was made from elastic.

Obviously I'm wrong, but that collar sure doesn't look like the elastic ones I've seen. It looks like a leather one with some sort of "studs" on it.

[Twinkie]

My cat has survived outside for over ten years. She is half Persian, half Siamese, a hunter, and more wild than a lap kitty. Thirteen pounds of independence.

She WILL NOT, by choice, stay inside the house. She will come about four feet inside the door, then, not liking the temperature, or the various smells inside; she then makes a dash for the door. - She has her own slightly heated room where I keep her beds, favorite food, and water; then she comes to the back door for her tuna and other treats at night. If she doesn’t show up, I call until she does show up. Here, she is persnickety. She is also mean as they come, ruling the two big dogs and other wild stuff around the place with a slashing paw across the face of anyone who crosses her.

Funny, the dogs love her in spite of her snotty personality. She is the way she is, and would be most miserable, rebellious and LOUD if I dared to cross her. She loves me, but on the rare occasion she allows me to pet her, I have so much static electricity, and so does she, that when I touch her, I shock her. Her annual visit to the vet is tolerated well considering.