Have you ever thought about harness training your cat but felt overwhelmed by all the options out there? Wondering which harness is safe and effective for your feline friend? In this article, we’ll share the harness we love and why it’s been a game-changer for us.

A little background on Tzatziki

Tzatziki, my absolute soulmate, had a rough start in life. I met her in 2021 during the pandemic while volunteering at a dog shelter on the Greek island of Corfu. One day, as I was walking the dogs, one of them darted off, running toward a small black fluffy shape on the road. At first, I thought it was a little rat or mouse, so I rushed over to shoo the dog away. But by the time I got closer, the dog had already put the black fluff in his mouth. To my shock, it wasn’t a rat or a mouse… It was a tiny black kitten.

I quickly freed the kitten from the dog’s mouth and was met with the biggest, most soulful eyes staring up at me. Was it fate? Were we both lucky enough to have crossed paths that day? I’m not sure, but I thank the universe every day for that encounter. Tzatziki completely changed my life. At 22, I was in the middle of the pandemic, dreaming of traveling the world, but I had to change all of my plans to make space for her.

We ended up staying in Greece for four years after that, and she became the inspiration for me to start Saaving Lives, my own cat TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) rescue program. Tzatziki, apart from a few health scares, was always a happy cat. But having come from the streets, I could tell her adventurous spirit was longing for more than just life inside an apartment. We netted our balconies so she could safely spend time outside, and she loved every second of it, talking to birds, chasing flies, and watching the world go by for hours on end.

Being more involved in the cat rescue world opened my eyes to the idea of adventure cats, and I began hoping that Tzatziki might one day join their ranks. I tried a few different harnesses from pet stores, but she hated them. They felt too restrictive, and she always managed to wriggle out of them, leaving us both frustrated. I eventually set the idea aside, until I met the Surfer Cat family.

Meeting Maverick at SuperZoo 2023

In 2023, I attended SuperZoo for the first time, primarily to introduce the media to our Whisker Media clients. That’s when I crossed paths with Maverick (aka Mavi) and his amazing parents, Kayla and Nick. Watching them together completely shattered all of my preconceived notions about cats and harnesses. I had never imagined that a cat could act so much like a dog. Mavi was so confident and happy in his harness and leash. He even managed to catch a wild shrimp while wearing his harness and being on the leash!

I had always thought cats couldn’t truly enjoy being in a harness or on a leash. But Mavi proved me wrong. He wasn’t just tolerating it, he was thriving. The bond between him and Kayla was inspiring, and their communication was incredible. I realized then that maybe Tzatziki could have the same experience.

Tzatziki’s First Try with the Surfer Cat Harness

Inspired by Maverick, I decided to give the Surfer Cat harness a try. I chose the Bali design with a cute little “T” charm attached, and I couldn’t have been more excited. I had my doubts, especially since Tzatziki had always hated other harnesses, but Kayla’s words stuck with me: “I would never let Mavi walk so close to the road if I wasn’t 100% sure the harness was safe.” Her confidence gave me the push I needed.

When I first put the harness on Tzatziki, I had to give her some treats to keep her still, but to my surprise, once it was on, she barely seemed to notice. She wore it for hours, playing, sleeping, and walking around as if it wasn’t even there. The Surfer Cat harness is incredibly lightweight and secure, with a shoulder strap that moves with the cat’s body, making it escape-proof. That’s when we knew it was time for her first adventure outside.

While Tzatziki isn’t quite a full-fledged adventure cat yet, unlike Mary’s cat Franklin, she does love her harness and being outside. She’s still wary of people and some loud noises, but we’re working on it. The Surfer Cat harness has made a huge difference in helping her feel comfortable and safe during our outdoor excursions.

I wholeheartedly recommend the Surfer Cat harness and leash. It’s secure, stylish, and most importantly, it’s escape-proof which is essential for peace of mind. If Tzatziki can enjoy it after all her previous harness struggles, I’m confident your cat will too.

For any curious kitties or pet parents looking to explore the outdoors together, the Surfer Cat harness is the perfect first step toward safe and fun adventures.