New question - some of the Petco collars are listed as "safety" collars but rather than the breakaway buckle, they have an elastic side so the cat could (in theory) get out of the collar...

That really doesn't sound any safer than a normal non-safety collar to me. Thoughts?

They have some with a different kind of breakaway buckle, maybe those require a smidgen more force to just take off. I guess I'll just keep experimenting, I'll let you guys know what works.

(this cat is the one who is most likely to get scared and hide someplace I can't find her if she gets out...so I'd prefer she has a visible collar. I doubt anyone in my neighborhood would take a cat in to check for chips/tattoos since there are sooooo many strays here already)