How to Use a Paper Collar

Have you asked yourself, "Is this someone's cat?"

When a friendly cat without a collar stops by your house or joins in with a managed colony for dinner, it's tough to decide what to do. Do you take him in? Bring him to the shelter? Take him to the vet? How do you find out if it has an owner?

Using a paper collar is a great way to help you and the kitty's owner connect and will help ensure you don't accidentally remove a cat from its happy home.

Here's how it works!

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1

Get the Template

Download and print out this template and cut out a collar. (You might need two cut out two for a bigger cat.) Or you can always make your own if you'd like.
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2

Introduce Yourself

Fill in your information and choose whether you’d prefer to be called or texted.
Collar
3

Put the Collar On the Kitty

Tape the collar loosely around the cat’s neck (or two collars end to end for a larger cat, overlapping as needed) with the writing facing out. You should be able to comfortably fit two fingers underneath it to ensure it’s not too tight.
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4

Wait! (It's the hardest part!)

Release the cat and give a reasonable amount of time for the owner to contact you. If the cat returns and you haven’t received any response, consider attaching a new collar.
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Spread the word!

Download the template, keep the file handy or print a few to keep in your car or at your organization's front desk for when a friendly cat (or someone who's found one) comes your way. And feel free to post it to social media or send it on to anyone who you think may need it. With your help, we can keep more cats at home and out of shelters.

Alright! What's next?

Sign up for a TNR Certification Workshop and learn to help manage out door cat populations or a Return to Home Certification Workshop and learn how to help more cats get back home!