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 >
Sushi
Sushi is feisty ( in a good way) and fun loving girl who has been given a second chance on life.She really deserves to find a really good home because of her passion for people and love. This fawn beauty is just precious. Gender: Female Breed: Cross Breed Colour: Fawn/White Age: 4 months
Lele
Lele is gregarious and thrives in the company of people. She is super affectionate and you just can't help but love her so. Gender: Female Breed: Local Colour: Black/Tan Age: 3 months
Monday
Monday will certainly clear any Monday blues you may have. This X-lab is oozing with sweetness and love. Gender: Male Breed: Mixed Breed Colour: Yellow Age: 3 months
Strawberry
Strawberry is a X-miniature Schnauzer and is such a baby. Those innocent eyes just grab you. Gender: Feale Breed: Mixed Breed Colour: Blue/Tan Age: 4 years
Vodka
Vodka is such a happy boy. He just looks to people for hugs and kisses all the time. He makes you feel loved. Gender: Male Breed: Cocker Spaniel Colour: Gold Age: 3 years
Tomato
Tomato is initially reserved but warms up after you spend some time with her. She just needs to be spoken to reassuringly and she becomes putty in your hands. She adores her tummy rubs too! Gender: Female Breed: Cross Breed Colour: Black/White Age: 3 months
Violet
Little Violet is looking a little scruffy at the moment. But nothing that a bit of TLC cannot cure. Gender: Female Breed: Maltese Colour: White Age: 4 years
Pouch
Pouch is pure gold. He has the affable and warm personality that his breed is famous for. Gender: Male Breed: Golden Retriever Colour: Gold Age: 3 years
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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>
TARANTULA Peter Parker is right about spiders' senses; they can sense things mere mortals can't by feeling minute vibrations. That's how they catch dinner -- live crickets, kingworms or a feeder mouse weekly.
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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