There is no greater feeling than seeing your pet content and happy. On this blog, our number one aim is to provide you with all of the info and tools you need to make sure your pet is safe and happy. We will be looking at all kinds of different pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and hamsters. We will also look at more exotic pets such as snakes and tropical fish. Everything you read here is the result of hours of research by pet owners just like you. We aren't experts but we are guided by our love of animals.
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Making Sure Your Pet Is Happy
An Unfortunate Feline Theft: How to Prevent Your Neighbours From Stealing Your Cat
Leslie West
According to research, cats don't need their owners. And while that doesn't mean that your cat will just up and leave one day, it does mean that there is a higher likelihood of them being stolen.
That's not to say that all cat thefts are intentional. If your cat takes a liking to a neighbour down the road, for example, that neighbour may not even realise the cat belongs to you. However, intentional or not, cat theft is a very real risk — especially if your cat is a desirable breed. Fortunately, you can take steps to ensure that a neighbour — or someone from further afield — does not steal your cat.
Invest in a GPS Tracker
The most effective way to prevent neighbours from stealing your cat, aside from keeping them indoors 24 hours a day, is to purchase a GPS collar. This will allow you to track your cat's movements while they are roaming outside. However, it is best to purchase a collar that doesn't advertise its capabilities, as otherwise, your cat's would-be thief may remove it and transport it elsewhere. A simple and innocuous-looking collar won't arouse suspicion, thus giving you time to track down your cat using your phone.
Perhaps one of the best features of a GPS collar is that you can trace your cat's footsteps from past to present. This should help you get an idea of where your cat has been going and give you clues as to who — if anyone — is attempting to steal them.
Microchip Your Cat
Although microchips don't allow you to track a pet like a GPS does, they can help to prove that you are the rightful owner should a dispute over ownership occur. The size of a grain of rice, a microchip contains an identification number that leads to your contact information in the event that your cat is lost or taken by a neighbour.
Make it Clear Your Cat Is Chipped
It will also help if you attach a tag to your cat's collar stating that your cat has been microchipped. This should act as a deterrent. However, some neighbours still attempt to claim that your cat is theirs. If this happens, notify your local council and report your cat as missing if they have been missing more than 72 hours. Your local council can then inform the Companion Animal Register in your state, who will then lock your information to your cat's collar, thus preventing the transfer of ownership
Your cat is your property. Pet theft is against the law. If someone steals your microchipped cat, call the police, and they may be able to arrange for your cat's chip to be scanned to confirm ownership. For more information, contact your local pet microchipping service.
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