Adopted cats harness adventure together

Link the cat loves his leash. Confident and (dare we say) quite handsome, this tabby boy strides down sidewalks and navigates railings with ease. Even snow won’t keep him inside — he just wears a puffy parka on top of his harness. Besides exploring nature, Link’s walks allow him to spend quality time with his humans, who always carefully supervise his outdoor adventures. And the best part? His feline BFF, Marble, tags along, too.

When Link arrived at the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in Salt Lake City, he was far from the intrepid explorer he is today. The teensy kitten, who weighed less than a pound, had come from a nearby shelter. Best Friends’ goal is for all shelters to reach no-kill, and that means working with other animal welfare organizations to save pets’ lives, giving each one what they need to move out of the shelter and into a happy new life. After he weaned from his mother and was neutered, Link met the people who would adopt him. (Perhaps they could already sense his adventurous spirit.)

A few months later, Link’s humans decided that he needed a friend. So they returned to the pet adoption center. This time, they adopted Marble: a fluffy torbie with brilliant green eyes.

The dynamic duo of Link and Marble was complete.

Link and Marble’s new family wanted to give the kitties safe outdoor adventures, so they practiced going for walks with each cat on a leash and harness. Going on leashed walks can be incredibly enriching for cats. According to Best Friends cat expert Samantha Bell, it allows kitties to connect with nature, get much-needed physical activity, and strengthen the bond with their person. But one does not simply walk a cat. It starts with a slow introduction to the harness, short training sessions that incorporate incentives (such as treats or playtime), and choosing the right locale for outings.

[All about walking cats on a leash]

Samantha says that managing expectations is key. “You walk a dog. A cat walks you,” she says. “Their leash is for safety, not guiding or steering them.”

Samantha adds that, even after taking the proper steps, many cats still won’t be comfortable walking on a leash. Some cats will refuse to wear the harness, turn into a floppy puddle once it’s on, or feel too nervous to enjoy being outside. Leash walking isn’t for every cat, and that’s OK. There are other ways to help cats experience nature, such as taking them on stroller rides, creating an enclosed catio space, or even just setting up a cozy spot by a window to watch the birds and squirrels.

Not all cats thrive on the leash, but Link and Marble do. Sometimes, they bring toys to chase along the sidewalk, or they play hide-and-seek together in tall grasses. And nothing beats lounging in a sunbeam while feeling the soft breeze in your fur on a warm spring day.

[How to Walk a Cat on Leash]

The fun and friendship continue back inside the house. After a walk, Link and Marble often settle in for a grooming session, helping each other get all those hard-to-reach spots. In wintertime, they snuggle up in warm blankets after playing in the snow.

Link and Marble’s lives started on separate paths, but pet adoption brought them together. Now, the sidewalk is their catwalk, and they’re strutting side by side in style.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.