These Women Adopt Cats And Take Them On Adventures

These Cats Do What They Want

If you’ve ever tried to train a cat, you know exactly how impossible that can seem. Cats tend to be independent creatures and do what they want to do. Gumbley and VanderRee love going hiking, canoeing, sailing, snowshoeing, and kayaking—and sometimes Bolt and Keel do too, but the key word is sometimes.

“It’s really obvious to us when they do or don’t like something,” said VanderRee. “We make sure we are doing it for the cats and not just forcing them along.” While Bolt and Keel may have plenty of Instagram-worthy photos of their adventures, they’re also carried or hanging out at home a lot of the time.

Teaching a Cat to Walk on a Leash

You may notice that Bolt and Keel are often on leashes during their adventures to keep them safe and together. Not all cats are so comfortable with leashes—at least not at first. If you’d like to take your cat on similar adventures, you can start leash training at home.

Go for a harness, not a collar, and get them comfortable wearing it around the house before you set foot outside. When you do start walking outside, make your cat earn her supper. Break treats into tiny pieces before feeding, and give your kitty a small bite each time she steps in the right direction by a few feet. Patience is key.