Did you know 10 million pets are lost each year? Collars and tags are great ways to identify lost pets and reunite them with owners, but they can easily come off or be removed.

Never fear, dear cat pawent, peace of mind is as small as a grain of rice! Microchips are a safe, painless, and most importantly, effective way to ensure your kitty comes home if it gets lost.

Here are the ins and outs of microchips:

What is a Microchip?
Microchips are a small device that is placed under the skin of a pet that can be scanned and used to identify and retrieve pets if they get lost. Basically, it’s a permanent identification that your cat is your cat.

What does a Microchip do for Pets?
Pets get a microchip with a unique identification code in between their shoulder blades. Once your pet is chipped with SAFE Haven for Cats, it is enrolled into the Found Animals Microchip Registry, keeping a national database available to you 24/7.

If your kitty is lost and found at any time, it’ll be scanned at an animal shelter or veterinary hospital. The ID includes your contact information so your pet can safely return home.

Are Microchips Painful for Cats?
Chipping is a safe and ultimately painless process for you and your cat. The chip is tiny – about the size of a grain of rice! Moreover, there aren’t any batteries or devices inside the chip that could cause any harm. In short, this procedure is permanent, can’t be altered and doesn’t change or harm your furry friend.

Maintaining the Chip
You went to your local shelter to get your cat chipped. What’s next?

It’s important to check your cat’s chip every year to ensure your contact information is up-to-date. Although you can’t see the chip, your vet can scan it during your kitty’s annual check-up. Or, set a reminder in your calendar for Check the Chip Day on August 15 every year.

A *Good* Chip on Your Cat’s Shoulder
Overall, chipping your cat helps keep your feline friend safe and you sane. Implanting a microchip is painless and permanent. Be sure to check it annually or on Check the Chip Day.

Cats adopted from SAFE Haven are already microchipped, but microchips can be purchased and implanted at our SAFE Care Spay/Neuter Clinic at the time of spay/neuter surgery for only $15. This includes lifetime registration.

Happy chipping!

Plants are a great way to add finishing touches to your home, but did you know they may also be a death trap for your cats? There are many plants that are poisonous to cats. Here’s a list of plants that are a no-go when redecorating your space:

Lilies
Most lilies are lethal to cats. Any lily that’s a part of the Lilium group – think Easter lilies, stargazer lilies and asiatic lilies – has a chemical that is toxic to our feline friends. In fact, they’re so poisonous that a cat can suffer fatal kidney failure just from biting into a lily leaf or petal, licking lily pollen from its paws or drinking water from a vase with cut lilies in it.

If you think your cat has chewed or eaten even a bite of a lily, go to the animal hospital immediately.

Eucalyptus
Although it’s pretty and smells great, eucalyptus is dangerous for cats. If ingested, it can cause cats to suffer seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea among other symptoms. Use eucalyptus essential oil in a sealed container instead to get your fix while keeping your cat safe.

Nightshades
While some ripe nightshades like tomatoes may be an okay occasional snack for felines, it’s best to stay away from having a tomato plant at home as they can be toxic. Its leaves, stems and unripe fruit are unsafe for your kitty causing serious stomach problems. Other nightshade plants include eggplant or the bittersweet nightshade flower.

Cannabis
Cannabis – the plant or product – is dangerous to cats. Although cats are likely to recover from minimal THC intoxication, like second-hand smoke (yes, you read that right), it’s best to seal and store any cannabis products away from your cat. THC intoxication symptoms include dilated pupils, lack of coordination, vomiting and even coma.

Azaleas & Rhododendrons
Azaleas and other plants of the Rhododendron family are a beautiful floral accent to your yard. However, just a few leaves can make your cat incredibly sick. It’s full of the toxin grayanotoxin, which is lethal to cats in a small dose that can result in cardiac failure.

While in some cases, just parts of a plant – bark, leaves, seeds, berries, roots, tubers, spouts, green shells – might be poisonous, it’s best to not have them around. If you must have any of them, keep them safely out of reach. Read a list of all plants that are dangerous to cats here.

If your cat gets sick, take the plant with you to help the vet identify the source of the poisoning and make an accurate treatment plan.

Cat Poisoning Symptoms

• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Twitching or seizures
• Loss of appetite
• Irregular heartbeat
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of coordination

If you see or think your cat ate something poisonous, call the veterinarian immediately.

Overall, you’re welcome to have greenery in your home to add that special touch to your space. Just remember to stay informed on what species are safe for your kitty for a cozy home for you and your furry friend!