Conference misery::feline_v1

    Great story & good story teller!
    
    Sonia

    I can't answer your question but will be sure interested to hear if
    you find the name of a manufacturer--not that my cats will wear it
    if I get one.  I have been looking for a couple of months, since
    Miss Flea vanished.  Will be glad to share any information I come
    across.  

    
    Why not try the fish and game department for suggestions?
    
    That was a great story and a happy ending.
    
    Regards,
    
    Val

	1)  the collars are too large for an average housecat to wear
	    comfortably due to the battery pack...at least the ones
	    the fish and game dept. use.  They do not radio track the
	    smaller animals, they simply tag them and ask that the tag
	    be returned to them upon discovery of tag and/or animal...
	    animal condition presumed dead.

	2)  the collar wouldn't cost very much...the receiving and
	    tracking equipment costs thousands of dollars and has a
	    limited range..usually used in moving vehicles, helicopters
	    for maximum flexibility.

	3)  the collar on a domestic pet could wreck havoc on the programs,
	    causing interference with tracking efforts for animals
	    actually under the control of the fish and game services.

	4) if you make your own gear, you might make something light
	   enough.  However, if it fit snugly, the cat has a great chance
	   of "hanging" herself on something when she is jumping or getting
	   snagged by a predator (like owl or hawk or coyote) when she
	   is trying to escape ....if you create a break-away collar, then 
	   the collar probably doesn't stay with the cat and serves no 
	   purpose.  

	5)  knowing your cat's tendency to get lost and go feral, why
	    not just keep her in for her own safety and your peace of
	    mind?  If she gets out again, she might not be lucky enough
	    to survive until you find her...the fact that she was located
	    near a highway does not bode well for her survival next time
	    out.  Cats don't understand cars and how fast they travel.

*** just for the record, the reason I know about the collars is that I
	used to do volunteer work with the dept. in my home state and helped
	collar deer, mountain lion, and bighorn at different times.  I have
	also helped track and know the limits of the gear.

    Paul,
    
    The whole time I was reading the story, I was picturing a *woman*
    crawling through the mud and brush.  I didn't realize a *man* would
    be as insane as us *women*. 
    
    I am so glad that you found your cat alive and well.  You made my
    day......
    
    Sandi
    

    
    
             Ohhhhhhh,  I thought it was a woman too!  Just because it was
    written with such intensity.  It's nice to know a man can go that extra
    yard for his kitty, that women aren't the only ones who would do that.
                         that's great!    Denise

    Great story...we should point all the noters that have almost 
    given up hope on their lost cats...to this note.  It just proves
    that you can't give up.
                       
    She might never want to go out again.  Have you seen a big difference
    in her personality?  Is she more lovey dovey?  Did she recoginize the 
    house when you got back home.  I'm only asking because I wonder
    if we ever find CAM (gone 4 months) if he will remember us.
    
    Sandy
    
    ps..there is something about a monitoring device that you can have
    inplanted in your animals.  That's all I know...can anyone else
    provide Paul with more info.
                                
    
    
    Sandy

    Ditto!  I thought it was a woman too!  It's hard to believe but great
    to find out that men have such deepset feelings about animals like we
    ladies do.  What a nice story to start the last day of the week with.
    I'm happy you finally found you little girl.
    8)
    Lisa and Flirtaysha

    Me too!!  I thought it was a woman who wrote the story.  But, much as
    my husband isn't as cat crazy as I am I know he would do the same thing
    if it were one of our cats who disappeared and Dana thought he saw it
    on the highway -- especially if Murdock was the one missing!!
    
    That was a very warm story, Paul.  Thanks for sharing it with us.
    
    
    --Roberta
    

    Wow... I thought you were a woman too... It is good to hear that a man
    would be as concerned about his cat as we women are....
    
    When I was reading the story it brought tears to my eyes... I was SO
    glad you were able to get your kitty....
    
    What I do with my kitties, is walk them on a leash, they each have
    their own collor, and leash.. this way they won't take off, and they
    are able to go outside and get fresh air...
    
    I also tie them outside on a run... (like you would with a dog) the
    only thing is that I am outdoors with them, at all times to keep an eye
    on them.....
    
    Take care,
    
    Gloria, Goldie, Snookie and Mittens....

    Re: .5,.6,.8,.9,.10
	> a MAN ???
    Sheesh!  Guys can love cats too.  8-/ (<-- that's a surprised look)
    
    Re: .3 
	> Why not try the fish and game department for suggestions?
    Good idea, I'll try.  Thanx.
    
    Re: .4
    	> Not a good idea...
    Thanx for the info, there's a lot to consider.  Still, technology ought
    to be able to provide me with a solution if I only look long enough.
	> why not just keep her in for her own safety and your peace of mind?
    We've considered keeping her in, but she insists that she's miserable
    inside.  When she wants out, she pesters us until she's let out.  She's
    also quick and sneaky, and can zip past you through an open door before
    you know it.
    
    Re: .7
	> Have you seen a big difference in her personality?
    Actually, she has been much mellower.  She still asks to go out, but
    doesn't insist on it.  She did recognize the house with no problem (she
    certainly found the food right away!).  
    
    I think that the continuous calling and speaking allowed her to remember
    my voice, and (contrary to some opinion) she certainly recognized her
    name.  The other thing that probably helped is the familiar scent.  Cats
    have a good memory of scents.
    
    
    Thanx again,
    Paul

    Wow..I think I'm one of the only persons that didn't assume Paul
    was a woman....but there is a good reason behind this.
    
    I'm bad and let the cats run my life....but my hubby is
    even worse.   I also live with a 17 year old nephew
    that "puts animals on the top of his list"....and
    he's loves his cats and takes very very good 
    care of his and mine. For a 17 year old...I find
    that amazing.  
    
     We are a whole family that is totally possessed by our furfaces.
                           
     Sandy
    

    Since Jack is at least as cat crazy as I am (Well, he's generally
    crazy anyway) I didn't find it at all surprizing that the author
    was male.  :-)

    Nancy,  I thought you would respond with that answer.  I was waiting
    because I knew I was not the only person...and I'm sure there are
    a few more out there.
    
    Sandy

re: the chip imbedded in the cat...

you can get a chip with owner information implanted under your pet's skin.
It is not a tracking device, but an identifier if the pet turns up at a
shelter or vet hospital.  It has the same drawback as many others in that
it requires special equipment to READ the chip....expensive equipment that
most shelters simply cannot afford - and no vets are willing to buy.

The best idea is still to build an enclosed run to allow your pet access to
the outdoors....in spite of popular myths to the contrary, cats DO get lost,
often, quite easily as they cannot read street signs and can get many
miles from home while avoiding harrassment from other cats/dogs/children/angry
neighbors, and they DO NOT know how to calculate the speed at which vehicles 
travel on roads.  It's dangerous out there.

I also assumed the author was a woman.  I am not surprised that a man had 
those feelings, only that he would admit it and express it so expertly.
My SO would do the same thing to save our babies but he would never 
admit it. ;^)

RE: .15
You're right about the enclosed dog run.  I have one and my dog and cat both
enjoy it immensely.  It lets them experience the outdoors and be safe at the
same time.

Becky, Tsunami, and unnamed(on the way)

    I also assumed the author was a woman, partly because most of the
    noters are women.  I'm not surprised that Paul would be suc a caring
    dad.
    My husband, Bob is about as cat crazy as I am.  He totally adores our cats, 
    talks to them, thinks they are the most beautiful babies it the world, 
    worries if one doesn't seem quite right.  He took two to the Vet's today 
    for a weigh in, just to be sure.  He didn't mind at all when I decided
    I wanted a Scottish Fold.  He doesn't mind letting anyone know how he
    feels about our furry babies.
    
    Steffi, Misty, Lizette, Misha & Marnie
      

    Nice to see a happy ending...
    
    Regards,
    
    Karen (and Georgie)aren (and Georgie)