Mando and his cat dad, Steven Squire, know the world is full of too many curiosities to stay indoors—or within the city limits of their hometown just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mando and dad have jetted across the U.S., sailed to distant islands, and routinely run laps around their local parks. And they’ve captured it all on social media.
“We’ve built a lot of trust from our travels and daily walks,” says Squire about his growing bond with Mando. Plus, what’s better than exploring the world with a feline friend?
Mando Comes Home
In 2020, Squire knew he was ready for his first pet—but not just any pet.
“I was already outdoorsy and knew whatever pet I got, I would want to take them hiking, camping, and on my travels,” says Squire, a graphic designer, who had started to lean towards getting a cat. “I did some research on whether it’s possible to leash walk a cat.”
A mid-pandemic stroll down the adoptable cat isle at PetSmart in September was all it took.
“I locked eyes with Mando and got a warm, fuzzy feeling,” Squire says. “Mando is very curious and brave. He would wrestle with his brothers in his PetSmart cage which told me he would be easier to socialize and take on adventures.”
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This Is the Way
Mando wasn’t always a natural at exploring—and Squire had some learning to do, too.
Leash and harness training started close to home in a quiet, grassy area. “Don’t give up if they fall over! It’s normal and will take time,” Squire says to aspiring adventure cat parents. “Go out once a day, even if they don’t take any steps. Eventually, they will!” All in all, he says, it took Mando about three weeks to get the hang of walking on a harness.
Squire quickly learned the first lesson of adventure cat safety “was the importance of keeping Mando on his leash,” he says. There are just too many potentials for “close calls,” he says, whether it’s dogs, or cars, without a safe, secure, and comfortable leash and harness set up.
“Cats don’t walk like dogs,” Squire says—lesson number two. So, as the duo became more confident in their adventuring together, Squire adjusted his expectations of what a “walk” looks like and practiced being patient—like a cat.
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Party of Two
These days, Mando doesn’t go far without a leash, harness, and his dad. In fact, Squire is so committed to keeping Mando safe and close by he has taken harness safety to a whole other level.
“The harness I currently use on Mando is custom made,” Squire says. He calls it Mando’s “furee”—a combination of “fur” and “free.”
“What’s unique about my harness design is it has a push-button adjuster that slides both the neck and chest straps until you get the perfect fit on your pet. It allows for maximum mobility since it doesn’t restrict the shoulder blades,” says the cat dad.
Squire also uses other safety precautions, like Mando’s Apple AirTag. “If your cat is out of range of your phone, it will use the signal of other phones nearby them to show your cat’s location,” Squire explains. Thankfully, the pair hasn’t had to put this to the test.
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Galaxies Far, Far Away
At just two years old, Mando has seen more of the world than most cats could dream. Some of Mando’s travels include the expansive salt flats of Utah, pawing around Catalina Island off the coast of California, and kayaking the dreamy waters of Hawaii.
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Travels to faraway destinations are a breeze for Mando, who catnaps on the plane, Squire says. The cat dad even put together an informative series of short YouTube videos with tips about what (snacks, treats, even travel-sized litter bags and a portable litter box) and how to pack to keep your cat comfortable and safe during plane travel.
The hardest part, Squire says, is preparing all the paperwork and plans for travel with your cat.
“Flights around the U.S. are easier, but our flight to Hawaii took a lot of vet visits and paperwork,” Squire says.
As for cat-friendly accommodations, Squire says they enjoy staying with family or renting a pet-friendly Airbnb. Remember, pet-friendly doesn’t always mean cat-friendly, so it’s always a good idea to speak to your hosts directly if you’re planning to bring your cat.
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Adventure at a Cat’s Pace
While Mando has been tolerant of sailing, airplane rides, and exploring the desert, the adventure cat has put his paw down when it comes to other adventures—and dad has listened. “No swimming and no caves,” says Squire. “He doesn’t like getting wet and strongly dislikes loud beaches with crashing waves. I see what Mando’s limits are.”
Still, for a cat with Mando’s outgoing and curious personality, Squire says it’s neat to see “when he’s breaking out of his shell and adapting to new places and new people,” Squire says.
And yet, there’s no place like home.
“Ultimately, Mando is most in his element around our neighborhood,” Squire says.
It’s here that Mando and Squire spend their time exploring and burning off Mando’s catty energy. Until cat parks become a thing, you’ll likely find Mando zooming around the local dog park—with his dad at the end of his leash—when they’re lucky enough to find it empty.
@cat.mando Should we petition to build cat parks? #activist #catpark #leashedcat #catdad ♬ original sound – Mando and Steven
Editor’s Note
Thinking of your own adventure cat? Before strapping kitty into a harness, read our article, 5 Questions to Ask Before Walking Your Cat, for some important things to keep in mind, including safety considerations and your cat’s personality.
Further Reading
- Ginger Kitty Is Obsessed With Dog Sister and Insists on Snuggling All Day
- The 10 Best Cat Backpacks for Traveling Kitties
- This Hairy Cat Has a Disorder That Makes Him Look Like an Adorable Werewolf
- Meet the World’s Most Functional Cat Stroller for Getting Outside With Your Cat
- Naval Ships Used to Always Have Cats, and They Slept in Little Kitty Hammocks