I have their collars on 24/7 for the dogs. Our cat doesn't like to keep it on... but I put it on as much as I find it after he gets it off.

I do it for a number of reasons: first and most importantly is because we are living with my in-laws for the time being and I do not have control over who opens the door, how it's left open, nor can I expect them to keep an eye on my dogs at all times. They have a business and part of it is run from the garage and they go in and out all the time, so chances of a door being left open just a hair or them sneaking out is high.

Secondly, Charlie is so skittish sometimes if he is freaking out because of a lot of commotion and the door opens, he sees it as an exit and will run out and has done it before. Usually when this happens someone sees him and I'm able to get him back inside, but on the off-chance that I'm not home or someone isn't home that he trusts I want to be prepared at all times in case he does get loose.

And thirdly - since there are a lot of people here going in and out, doors haven't always been closed properly and my dogs have got loose before. In fact during Jamie's last heat (and last forever!!) the door was left open just enough for her to shove her nose in and get outside, and Charlie followed. Charlie stuck to the house, but Jamie was gone for hours. Scariest night of my life.


Even if I get them micro-chipped (which I am), they will still always wear their collars because you just never know when they might get loose and by having a collar on tells people by glance that it isn't a stray dog, and instead of a neighbor picking him up and having to go through the trouble of bringing him to the vet and getting scanned for a microchip, they can just call me and save a lot of time.