I use break-away collars on my two youngest. They have ID tags on them even though they are micro-chipped. Have gates that restrict their movement, but if the tags become silent I stick my head around the corner to see what's up.
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Joanne

Eli

Chipper

Eva

Snowboy

Rosie(R.I.P. 1996-July 29, 2013)

Cocoa(R.I.P 1998-April 26, 2012):