What's the current view on cat collars?

[AnotheBloodyChinHair]

The rescue centre where we got my 2 were very strongly against collars so we never bothered. Cats are now 1 year old and very friendly and sociable, constantly trying to enter other people's houses. I feel they would be safer with a collar & tag with my address or ten number. They are microchipped but an engraved tag would allow faster identification. I'd like to hear your views.

I used to use a collar called a beastie band. They were stretchy and only fastened with Velcro. Yes they did get lost sometimes BUT I knew my cat couldn't get caught up and stuck somewhere or suffer a horrific collar injury. Since they seem to have been discontinued I don't use a collar.

Mine have never worn collars ever since one of them got both front paws caught in a quick release collar which didn't release and was found thankfully alive lying in the road unable to move.
They are all microchipped so there is no need.

My two cats wore collars successfully for 18 years, not problems. They had a magnetic cat flap, so needed a collar for the magnet.

I'm getting my new kittens micro chipped soon, and may have to go for a microchip cat flap if they can't keep collars on. I've put collars on them for now, as I'm terrified they will escape out of a window and get lost.

We would never have found one of my cats after he got lost if he hadn't been wearing a collar. The remaining cat wears one too - quick release with an engraved tag, snaps off quite easily but she never goes far just next door to terrorise their cats

My girl wears one, it doesn't bother her and she's a sensible sort.

My boy lost 5 or six collars before I gave up. The last time he came home with dreadful bald patches found his neck where he had struggled out of it - don't know if he got stuck on something or just fought his way out of it. Didn't like the thought of either. I wish he would wear one though - I'd rather he was instantly identifiable as mine.

Don't know how anyone can continue using a collar after reading stories like Mermaid's.