NationStates

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:51 am**

Nanatsu no Tsuki wrote:My mother has two dogs. Neither of which is collared.

Recently, a friend of hers, who's studying to become a vet, told my mother that it was neglectful of hers not to have either dog collared. But my mother thinks collaring a pet is rather cruel. She sees no point in fastening a chain/leather collar around the pet's neck.

All the papers concerning shots and parasite treatments of the dogs is current, so she sees no reason to collar. More-so, where she resides, there doesn't seem to be any laws against collared or un-collared pets. The dogs are kept indoors and, when they're walked, they have harnesses fastened to their backs, which seems to be more comfortable for them.

My question to NSG is: do you think pets need to be collared? Yes or no and why?

There are pros, I don't deny it. If the dogs get lost, a collar could help in finding them. A collared pet also identifies the animal as owned and not a stray.

Cons, there are some of those too. If the collar is not appropriate, it could dig into the skin and cause a wound. A tight collar could also make a pet uncomfortable.

most cities require dog tags. your mother's city doesnt? does she have them microchipped in case they get lost?

its not cruel in any way to have a normal collar on the dog.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:41 am**

I collar my Pittie, Dixie. She's an adorable dog who never loses her temper unless another dog bites her neck. So her collar has many many spikes on it. It makes her look boss as hell and keeps the other dogs at bay.

No lawsuits for me!

Also, she's a Pit. Which means that if I don't collar her she'll run until she dies. Seriously.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:43 am**

Dog: yes
Cat: no
Rabbit: yes
Ferret: yes

Everything else is probably too small to be taking outside for a walk, anyway.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:44 am**

Nadkor wrote:Dog: yes
Cat: no
Rabbit: yes
Ferret: yes

Everything else is probably too small to be taking outside for a walk, anyway.

Who the hell is walking a rabbit?

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:45 am**

Cromarty wrote:
Nadkor wrote:Dog: yes
Cat: no
Rabbit: yes
Ferret: yes

Everything else is probably too small to be taking outside for a walk, anyway.

Who the hell is walking a rabbit?

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:46 am**

Cromarty wrote:
Nadkor wrote:Dog: yes
Cat: no
Rabbit: yes
Ferret: yes

Everything else is probably too small to be taking outside for a walk, anyway.

Who the hell is walking a rabbit?

it would be so cute!

if you take a rabbit outside you need a way to keep it from running away, eh?

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:46 am**

None of my dogs are collared.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:47 am**

Maraque wrote:None of my dogs are collared.

do you take them outside?

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:53 am**

Nadkor wrote:
Cromarty wrote:Who the hell is walking a rabbit?

...

That's possibly the most pathetic thing I've seen. :|

Ashmoria wrote:
Cromarty wrote:Who the hell is walking a rabbit?

it would be so cute!

if you take a rabbit outside you need a way to keep it from running away, eh?

Speaking as a former rabbit owner, don't take them outside in the same way you would a dog then!

Keep them in a hutch damn it, with room to run about and grass to munch.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 9:42 am**

Nanatsu no Tsuki wrote:
Buffett and Colbert wrote:I think if you give a minimal amount of effort, you can find a collar that is comfortable for your pet. You shouldn't rely on luck. It's wise to properly identify them, especially in a culture where stray dogs (and those mistaken for stray dogs) don't meet the kindest of fates.

Even dogs that are kept indoors? What purpose would a collar serve?

They can escape. It's happened to us where we open a door and don't realize that one of the dogs has been outside for over an hour.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:39 am**

Nadkor wrote:Dog: yes
Cat: no
Rabbit: yes
Ferret: yes

Everything else is probably too small to be taking outside for a walk, anyway.

Fox: yes, if this fellow from Kent is to be taken seriously:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvfJs1P-0Xc

Edit: the leash goes on at about 1:00, but be warned of the potential for adorable overload.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:52 am**

Definitely a collar for larger pets if they're outside. Inside not as big a deal, but good if they have a chance to get out. It helps the pet be identified more easily if it runs away, and can have contact info and stuff on it. Plus it shouldn't take too much effort to find a well fitting collar.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:19 am**

Forster Keys wrote:I'm really glad this turned out as innocent as it did. :s

I'm not.

So long as you have a way of controlling them physically when you're outdoors with them its fine with me whatever you do. I can't stand motherfuckers who let their animals wander around without a leash of some sort. Fucking dogs coming onto my grass and running up to me like I shouldn't just boot them in the face. Its fucking bullshit.

As for the cons of a collar, it seems to me it shouldn't' be so hard to find one thats the right size, you could even harness and collar, using the collar for ID purposes.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:04 pm**

To collar. Even very well trained pets will run away, you need some sort of identification.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:40 pm**

Ashmoria wrote:
Cromarty wrote:Who the hell is walking a rabbit?

it would be so cute!

if you take a rabbit outside you need a way to keep it from running away, eh?

My sister used to take her rabbits (yes that is plural not a typo) on walks to the country park, to get there we had to go along pavements and across roads. :palm:

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:46 pm**

We have three dogs, none of which wear collars. Our oldest dog wore collars when he was little, but he would find a way to pull it off, unless it was tight enough which we were afraid would restrict his breathing. Our two newer dogs wore collars when they were little pups but because they grew so fast we had to buy new ones every few weeks, and eventually we just stopped. Our dogs are fenced in, and cannot get out except for our Husky. He jumps the fence, but does not leave our neighborhood, and people in it knows who he is. He comes back every afternoon.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:53 pm**

I view it like wearing a necklace. Although I will say this: my family owns two cats and none of them are collared. However, my dog is. My dog is an outdoor-only dog. We collar her for leash purposes. We used to collar our cats, but found that they would just take them off. If it bothers the pet, we don't force it. If it doesn't, then we leave it on. If I got a pet cat or dog, I would buy a collar, but if it visibly bugged the animal I would remove it.

I do have to admit, I've never given this much thought before. :] Thanks, Nana! It's interesting.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:13 pm**

greed and death wrote:
Seperates wrote:Not just you silly... Everbody.

Cats are evil.

And you sir, are paid handsomely by the dog lobby to say that.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:19 pm**

Ethel mermania wrote:
greed and death wrote:Cats are evil.

And you sir, are paid handsomely by the dog lobby to say that.

Of course cats are evil. It's one of their best qualities.

And I prefer my cats collared so if they are outside people know they aren't strays. But DD acts like she's being murdered if you put a collar on her.

Lucky will tolerate a halter and leash and go for walks. Only a few of my cats have been amenable to walking on leashes.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:32 pm**

Considering our dog, even when let out, never really strays outside our yard, we do not collar her. I've always advocated it on the off chance that she does wander off, but I'm in college now...

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:56 pm**

Sub-dermal implants.

Or tag your pet with a barcode.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:45 pm**

Birds can wear harnesses, but not collars (very thin neck, very easy to damage). They even have flight harnesses out there.

Also, you can probably collar many lizards, but I'd suggest a harness for walking. Many aren't bright enough to avoid breaking their necks.

I am as yet unaware of fish collars, but it's just a matter of time. They're already getting tattoos and piercings (usually lip piercings), after all.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:47 pm**

We've been known to put flea collars on our pets, but that's prettymuch it. And since it fights the fleas I think it's actually more beneficial than not putting them on, really.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:47 pm**

Dracoria wrote:Birds can wear harnesses, but not collars (very thin neck, very easy to damage). They even have flight harnesses out there.

(Image)

Also, you can probably collar many lizards, but I'd suggest a harness for walking. Many aren't bright enough to avoid breaking their necks.

(Image)

I am as yet unaware of fish collars, but it's just a matter of time. They're already getting tattoos and piercings (usually lip piercings), after all.

My best friend has a neighbor who collars and then walks her 7 cats with leashes. It's... strange.

Posted: **Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:50 pm**

Nanatsu no Tsuki wrote:My best friend has a neighbor who collars and then walks her 7 cats with leashes. It's... strange.

Oww. I guess for some of us, 'herding cats' is more than a metaphor. How does she keep them from tangling their leads?

NationStates

To collar or not to collar? (your pets)