BIRD SAVER cat collar HIGH VIZ REG.DESIGN # - 6084012 UK REGISTERED & MADE IN ENGLAND UK
BIRD SAVER CAT COLLARS - help to protect our native bird population by persuading your pusskins to wear a "SEE ME?.... FLY!!!" cat collar with integral brightly coloured cover and multi tonal bells.
Replacement covers are available seperately for £6.75.
At the bottom of this listing we have included reviews/scientific studies on the effectiveness of bells and ruffle collars together with some useful information regarding the correct fit for a cat collar - PLEASE READ!!
The collar has our our multi tonal bells and a break free device for your cats safety making your pusskins more visible and audible to birds whilst still maintaining the safety of your cat. (Bells can be removed by request)
The collar has a reflective trim (making pusskins more visible to cars at night) and for the more avid bird catchers - we use reflective elements to help increase the cats' presence - whichever style you use you should see a huge reduction - if not complete eradication - of birds caught by your pusskins.
The multi tonal bells are unique to us and work by utilising different tones thus not allowing the cat the opportunity to get familiar with any one sound and therefore maintaining the effectiveness of the bells..
Available in a full range of specifically selected colours, please email me with the colour you require for your collar which will be supplied in an appropriately patterned fabric.
All collars have a serial number specific to each individual purchase, this enables the collar to be returned to the buyer if it should be lost. If this happens the finder an contact ourselves, we will then get in touch with you to arrange the return of your collar.
Our brightly coloured ruffle collars and multi tonal bells help to overcome the limited efects of a standard collar & bell.
Correct fitting of a cat collar is of ultimate importance - PLEASE VIEW THE VIDEO which video gives a clear and precise demonstration of the correct procedure our thanks to the ICC (International Cat Care)
RECENT REPORTS REGARDING CATS HUNTING HABITS
Cats are stealthy hunters, they need to avoid being seen while stalking prey. Research shows a significant reduction in song birds caught by cats wearing a bright ruffle type of collar.
This collar does not physically stop your cat from catching birds but it does alert birds (and other wildlife) by giving both visible and audible warnings that the cat is close by thus allowing the cats' prey the opportunity to escape.
Cats are believed to be responsible for the deaths of 55 million birds in Britain every year and have been blamed for contributing to the long term declines of garden birds like the house sparrow.
Populations of other garden birds, such as the robin and dunnock, are also said to suffer from predation by cats.
Dr Tim Harrison, from the BTO, said cats were able to reduce the effectiveness of bells through careful movements. By keeping their heads still as they stalk, the sound of the bell is reduced. "It is fascinating that you have this animal that can try to compensate for this bell put round its neck.[1]
The bell will warn potential prey of the cat's approach. Cats eventually learn to walk without ringing the bell and pet owners are therefore encouraged to regularly change the bell [2]
References1. Jasper Copping. "Change your cat's bell to save birds", telegraph.co.uk, 30 May 2010.
2. Anton Karis. "Katter dödar 16 miljoner fåglar om året" (at 8 min), Studio Ett, Sveriges radio, 28 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
The pros and cons of bells
A number of studies have looked at whether or not bells help prey escape from cats, and the general consensus is yes! Bells on collars seem to reduce the amount of prey caught by about half, which could be enough to no longer pose a threat to ecosystems.
Effectiveness aside, many pet parents worry that a bell will hurt their cat’s ears. According to Veterinary PhD student Rachel Malakani, a collar bell will produce sound at about 50-60 dB, but studies have shown cats to be unaffected by sounds under 80 dB. While some cats with anxiety may not react well to the bell’s sound, it’s likely that the majority of cats simply won’t care.
Some owners worry that as well as alerting prey, a bell would also alert large predators to a cat’s presence. While this is possible, given most predators acute hearing, it’s unlikely that the relatively quiet noise of a bell would make the difference between your cat getting detected or not. If you live in an area where your cat is at risk of being attacked by large animals you should probably be keeping your cat indoors anyway, or at least supervise their outdoor activities. You can also invest in a cat enclosure, which will allow your feline to enjoy the fresh air safely!
Bell alternatives
If you’re unwilling to put a bell on your furry buddy, you do have another option – cat bibs. these devices are brightly colored to alert potential prey to the cat’s presence before they can pounce. While your cat might look a bit silly wearing a rainbow bib, the scientific research on these products shows they reduce predation rates by roughly the same amount as bells. That said, the devices that rely on color to alert potential prey work much better on birds (who have very good color vision) than they do on small mammals (who generally have quite poor vision).
If you’re scared of attaching any collars or collar-mounted devices to your felines – you shouldn’t be. While fears that cats can become strangled or trapped by a collar caught on debris are common, actual adverse effects from collars are rare. One study looked at 107 veterinarian practices and found only one collar-related injury per every 2.3 years, with collar-related deaths being even rarer. You can mitigate your fears further by using a breakaway collar.
If your cat ventures outdoors, especially if you live in an area with endangered species, please do your part to aid conservation efforts by outfitting your kitty with an anti-hunting device.
Ada McVean, BSc
Ada has a B.Sc. from McGill University with a double major in chemistry and gender studies, where she recently started a master’s degree in chemistry. She has been writing for the McGill Office for Science and Society since 2016 and spends her spare time cleaning up after her guinea pigs and gecko.
