SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap

The flap operates as advertised, though it took us quite some effort to force the cat through to identify the chip. As many mentioned, the opening is rather small too, but if the cat wants to go through he can, the problem is my cat had no understanding of this being something to go through. I assume a cat used to a flap of any sort probably would be easier to train, as it may understand the purpose of this thing.The problem I have is that I only can install this in a window, as there is no door to my backyard, and all glass repair specialist say they cannot cut such a circle. One even went further to say that even if they could cut it, the window would eventually break. I wish I had read the review called "I wish they would make one for humans" (on the page for the white version of this) where somebody else also reports this problem. I was also told that the only way to install this in a window is by replacing the glass with Plexiglass. (June 28, 2012)Update August 21, 2012: I did eventually decide to replace my window glass for an upper end Plexiglass version and must say you couldn't tell the difference by the light that goes through it. The Plexiglas is not rigid, and it also collects a little cat hair due to static electricity, but only who knows will notice.It took our cat about two weeks to fully adapt to the flap. He still prefers to wait for a human at the door, but he has no problem using the flap either.So far it has been completely reliable. I do not understand how some people report that raccoons can force it open.I am also very happy with the customer service. I contacted sureflap before purchasing to get some details on dimensions and needed some missing part after receiving the shipment. Both times they were very responsive.Why not 5 stars? It would be perfect if the switch would have a timer and be programable, to change from one setting to another in the morning and evening for exampele. The screws should be on the inside also.Edited January 2014 - Upgraded to 5 stars (from 4). Has been working perfectly a long time. I cannot imagine not having this for my cat. Love this product more than when I just got it. Must keep an eye on not overfeeding him as it would be real bad if he can no longer fit through it.Edited July 2016 - After three happy years, the unit started to consume an enormous amount of batteries. Instead of lasting for a year as it should, it started to need batteries every month, then every week or two weeks until it stopped working completely. During this year also the four way lock broke and the door became a little stuff and hard to push for the cat. Due to the multiple different simultaneous issues arising during the fourth year I think it can be said that the expected life of this product is 3 to 4 years.

Well, took me a while to get this installed. But once we did, I am very happy with it.As the other reviews I read (either on Amazon or another site) said, the click is loud and can scare the cat. I was not expecting my cat to be frightened of this but she was. But after a day or two she was quite content with her door.There have been no other break-ins by other cats! We have had this occurrence a few times. Once or twice it was a cat fight inside the house, another was some cat eating my cat's food. Regardless, and probably stating this obvious, this has not been a problem since we installed this door.I love that it does not swing loose like our earlier cat door! In the winter, cold air just came drafting through the door. In the summer, the heat. Well, this is not the case with this; it is sealed around the edges with a little felt or something and this is definitely more energy efficient.Looks like we also had an unexpected perk; Flopsy, our kitty, apparently cannot get large birds or rats through the door... I believe her full mouth stops her head from getting all the way in so her chip cannot be read. Therefore, we get little moths or small (more manageable) mice. Believe you me, this is great; the amount of huge birds and rats she used to drag through her old door was not appreciated (yes, I KNOW they're gifts!). :) I do not know if this is true, it's just that since we installed the SureFlap, no huge birds or rats have been dragged in... If this changes, I will update this review but so far, so good (it's been about 6 months).The battery has run out a few times, or at least gone low, and, though I know this defeats the purpose, I tape down the little latch if I need to run out and get batteries (just in case it gets so low it stops working for Flopsy and she gets locked out).Love the feature that you can lock it three ways; only out, only in or completely locked. While my other door had this feature, that broke within a few months so it was just hanging loose. This one is very sturdy and has held up. We've had to lock her out when we were painting once and lock her in when we were getting some external concrete poured and it is a very sturdy little latch and holds up well.If you have a larger cat, I do not suggest getting this door; the opening is definitely smaller than our other cat flap.It is loud when it closes but I like this because I like knowing when my cat goes in and out. Others may not appreciate this.I do recommend this door though, makes me feel better about leaving my cat at home alone, knowing that other cats and animals will not get to her. :)Update: January 2015 - still no large birds or rats. Just small mice and birds. Ah, what can you do; it's in their nature. Still loving our SureFlap Cat Door. Been very cold as of late and it does keep the cold out. The felt or whatever it is has not worn out and overall, still very happy with this product.I was having an issue with the batteries draining way too fast (within days of replacing them!). I thought it was the batteries. I would tape the latch down for weeks at a time. I replaced one batch and there was a little battery juice (like the batteries had leaked). I did not clean the connections. So the next batch ran out really fast. So taped the latch down once again. I finally replaced that batch of batteries about 4 weeks ago. This time I look wipes and thoroughly cleaned the connections and the battery compartment and then waited until completely dry (I waited probably an hour or two) and then replaced the batteries. That fixed it; no more fast-draining batteries! Cool thing is that the door has a little light that flashes every 5 seconds when the batteries run low so I always know.I do not think it was the SureFlap Cat Door that was the problem; I believe it was a bad batch of batteries that leaked and then cause any other batteries placed in the compartment to run out fast. Regardless, if you ever have this problem, fully clean out the battery compartment before the next batch of batteries are used and see if this fixes it.Again, very pleased with this product and I highly recommend it.