Q: Our cat, Felix, 11, was once an indoor/outdoor cat. Then, our vet and your columns finally convinced me to keep him indoors. I think Felix even began to appreciate air conditioning.
Last week, however, our little girl left the door open and Felix wandered outside. We were frantic.
Four hours later, we got a call from the shelter; they'd scanned Felix, found his microchip and our phone number came up. The shelter told us the microchip might have saved Felix's life. Do you think so?
A: Absolutely! The microchip probably did save your cat's life. Because more of us are keeping cats indoors (which I endorse), we assume they'll never get out. As your story illustrates, even indoor cats can escape. At least your cat had some outdoor savvy; many indoor cats do not.
If a cat without a microchip is picked up by animal control (remember, most cats don't wear collars with ID tags), the facility may hold the pet for only a set number of days before euthanizing. Or the cat may be swapped to another facility (a common practice nowadays to prevent euthanizing), making it more difficult for the owner to find. READ MORE >
Charlotte
Charlotte is just precious with her demure and affectionate manner. Gender: Female Breed: Local Colour:Tabby/White Age: 3 months
Licorice
Licorice has a beautiful and shiny blue coat of fur. She is gentle and really loves nestling up to people. Gender: Female Breed: Local Colour: Black Age: 5 months
Porkchap(ADOPTED)
Porkchap is entertaining to watch! He's a sweetie pie! Gender: Male Breed: Local Colour: Lilac Age: 2 months
Loral(ADOPTED)
Tiny little Loral is so cute she’ll warm anyone’s heart with her looks! Gender: Female Breed: Local Colour: Black/White Age: 2 months
Jenna We love our Jenna. We know you will too. She's got everything you want in a cat and more. Come and see for yourself. Gender: Female Breed: Local Colour: Tabby/white Age: 2.5 months
Vanessa(ADOPTED)
With her communicative ways, we know that you are just going to love this sociable feline. Gender: Female Breed: Local Colour: White/Ginger Age: 2.5 months
Bluey(ADOPTED)
Bluey easiest has the most gorgeous colours and patterns of all our cats! He is sweet, gentle and nice. Gender: Male Breed: Local Colour: Blue/White Age: 8 months
Louis(ADOPTED)
Cute little Louis knows his good looking and uses it to his advantage. Intelligent, we’re sure he’ll find a home soon. Gender: Male Breed: Local Colour: Ginger/White Age: 3 months
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*The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is the only animal welfare organisation in Singapore that takes in unlimited numbers of unwanted and abandoned strays and pets. If you are considering pet adoption, or giving up your pet or a stray to the SPCA, try to find the animal a home before contacting SPCA.
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Herpetologist R. D. Bartlett, author of nearly 50 books on reptiles and amphibians, including "Corn Snakes" (Barron's Educational Series, 1999), says, "They're large enough to impress friends but don't have the needs of massive snakes." Read more>
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Arachnologist Rick West of Victoria, British Columbia, warns against impulsively buying tarantulas. There are 850 species, but for pets, only buy those bred in captivity. The most popular are the Chilean Rosehair, Pinktoe (a species that likes to climb - unusual for a tarantula), Mexican Red-Knee, and the 10 ˝-inch Brazilian Salmon tarantula.
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