Sureflap Microchip Cat Flap

This RFID tag triggered cat flap has been a brilliant buy. The even more amazing thing about it is the customer service provided. Our flap had the rotating lock part broken during a punch-up with another cat trying to get in. I called Sureflap to see if I could buy another one - and they sent a replacement free! Apparently they will do this for any part which fails during the life of the product. Moving on several years and the door stopped working, that is the tag which pulls down to let the correct cat in would not move. One very puzzled cat ... I called the customer service again and they sent another clear door, as the steel magnetic part had rusted and broken a piece of the clear plastic, and a replacement for the latch which pulls the tag down - free. I am very happy to find a company which cares for its customers quite this well.

PS the reason behind the failure was water in the bearings of the small actuating motor - fixed by dismantling the door and lubricating the bearings - now OK. They have Youtube videos to guide you if required

Although we had problems due to having a very awkward cat, we couldn't have had better service from this company. I cannot remember when I last dealt with such an efficient, helpful company.

I've had lots of different cat flaps over the years and even the more expensive versions of the microchip flaps but the Sureflap is simple to set up and the cats took to it immediately. It uses 4 x AA batteries and so far they have lasted a while and considering I have 3 cats that are in and out quite a bit they dont seem to use a lot of power. One good thing about the sureflap is the door itself is clear and the cats can sit and look out. Because they can see in the flap they are assured that there are no intruders. I have now bought two of these flaps, in brown and white along with the mounting plate which makes it a bit more secure (one in a double glazed door and the other in polycarbonate).

It just makes a little click sound when they approach so the cats don't notice after a while.

No collars to worry about and no nails stuck to the magnets anymore!

One of the best, if not the best product on the market..... so far!

We had various other "visitors" through the cat flap over the years, including other cats, and the local fox.

Our poor cat spent all her time staring at it for the next intruder to come in and eat all her dinner.

Anyway, we fitted "Sureflap" to repace the ordinary cat flap (while the cat watched forlornly from the wall outside) and at first she was a bit put out by the click of it unlocking for her. So we followed the instructions which said to turn it off for a week or two so the cat gets used to it's new door.

Then we turned it back on and success! She uses it like a pro, putting her head in the tunnel to open it and then front paws to open the door.

The lock stays open for about 5 seconds after it detects your cat.

It's a great product, well made and well designed. No need for the cat to wear a collar either, as it reads the microchip, so no problem if your cat loses his/her collar.

It only prevents other visitors from coming in, so if any do get past (say if they chase the cat in) they are not trapped inside the house, and can get out again.

At £75 it's not cheap, but it's worth it. And your cat will thank you....or it would if it had any idea what was going on.

Really excellent product (2011 model). Build quality is very good indeed and it works perfectly. Our cat is just 6 months old, had never seen a cat flap before, and took to it instantly. It works perfectly and he is in and out all day long, no problems. In the evening we set it to "capture mode" so he can come in but not get back out again. The sound of the catch opening is barely audible and doesn't bother him a bit. He is already a big cat but fits through easily. My ONLY complaint is that it wasn't available in brown !

Previously I had a Staywell Infra-red catflap (for previous cat). They may have improved it since, but mine was a very flimsy construction and very poor performance. The cat would have to get really close, then there would be a loud click and he would retreat, whereupon it would lock again. He never really got used to it. Furthermore he used to dangle the IR sender in his water when drinking, which eventually ruined it.

We had a Staywell Infra Red cat flap for a number of years with varying levels of success.

It finally stopped working so we bought the Sureflap microchip cat flap as our cats already had compatible microchips.

It was extremely easy to fit (fits into the existing hole from the Staywell) and it works very well indeed.

The only couple of downsides I'd say are that the cat has to be right in the tunnel for it to work - but not a major issue as it is very responsive. Also, even though we bought the new 2010 version the draft proofing isnt great. For us, this isnt a massive issue as its in the kitchen, but if it were in our dining room for example, Id say the draft coming through the flap would be a major issue.

Overall though i've been really impressed by both its looks, ease of setting up and how well it works, so would definitely recommend this to anyone who already has cats with compatible microchips (check they are compatible though, not all are....)