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 >
Coco(ADOPTED)
Coco is a cool black like Hershey’s chocolate. She is equally sweet and popular! Breed: Local Colour: Black Age: 7 months
Daphne(ADOPTED)
Daphne has this beautiful shade of brown coat that really glows. She is happy and easygoing. Gender: Female Breed: Local Colour: Agouti Age: 2 years
Momo(ADOPTED)
Momo is always on the Gogo! Haha! Just a joke! This cross-Neatherland Dwarf cutie is quite a charmer with that cute little black patch on the right side of her nose. Gender: Female Breed: Cross Neatherland Dwarf Colour: Chocolate/White Age: 2 years
Terri(ADOPTED)
Terri is also petite like her sister. She is a bit more adventurous and will sniff your hands as a gesture to befriend you. Gender: Female Breed: Local Colour: Brown Age: 2 months
Targa(ADOPTED)
Targa is petite and a little shy. She will come out of her shell when she grows bigger and gain more confidence. Gender: Female Breed: Local Colour: Light Brown Age: 2 months
Murray(ADOPTED)
This cross-Netherland Dwarf will wow you with his cute antics. He likes to sniff you out with his cute button nose. Gender: Male Breed: Cross Netherland Dwarf Colour: Chocolate/white Age: 2 years
Suzie(ADOPTED)
Suzie is a gentle sweetie who just needs a little TLC and she’ll be just fine. Gender: Female Breed: Local Colour: Brown Age: 3.5 months
Pepper(ADOPTED)
Pepper is a real sweetheart who is super contented sitting in a corner of his enclosure and watching the world go by. Gender: Male Breed: Lionhead Colour: Tab Age: 1 year
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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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