[jmull]

> Most of the time if a pet goes missing, it's dead by the time such measures are taken or very soon after.

> Avoid collars…

This is bad information. Please don’t spread it.

Lost dogs are recovered at about a 90% rate, and lost cats at about 75%. Collars are very helpful. Use a safety collar.

If your pet is lost, get help from people who know how to find them. If possible call a local group. This directory is a great place to start in the US https://www.missinganimalresponse.com/mar-directory/

[mtlmtlmtlmtl]

"Safety" collars still get stuck. Sometimes the mechanism can get wet and freeze stuck.

And I call bullshit on your 75% number for cats. That has to include false alarms where cats are just out for a really long time which is rare, but it happens. In those cases, the cat will just show up at some point completely unharmed all on its own. Usually it's owners freaking out because it hasn't happened before. Another common thing is some asshole in the neighbourhood takes it upon themselves to feed your cat, and it starts hanging out there for days at a time.

[happytiger]

He’s citing a study. No need to debate we can just tear the study apart. :)

Here is the source.

https://www.luckypet.com/blogs/news/the-odds-of-finding-your....

[hackernewds]

most people don't live in -20C conditions. this comment seems painfully obtuse

[mtlmtlmtlmtl]

Does that make my advice wrong? Lots of people do. I could talk all day about summer conditions too, if you want me to. But I guess winter is on mind right now.

[verve_rat]

It makes it wrong for places where a wet collar won't freeze.

Generalising from your experience to the entire globe can be unhelpful sometimes.

[mtlmtlmtlmtl]

Fair enough, I should have been clearer about that and specified that water only freezes in cold temperatures, lest someone misunderstood that subtle point.

[verve_rat]

Your original advice was:

>Avoid collars because they get stuck on branches(even the ones that are designed to come undone easily can)

That doesn't mention the problem of freezing. Again, I'm just pointing out that your personal experience might not be a solid basis to provide advice to pet owners all over the world, and in fact, could be detrimental.

What if a pet owner lives in a place where a wet collar won't freeze because they don't get "real" winters. What if a collar would help return a lost pet to its family?

Your experience is not universal and people are just pointing that out to you.