As part of ABC's "Happy Cats, Healthy Birds Campaign," we recently spoke with Samantha Christie, the owner of Atlas the Adventure Cat, about how she keeps Atlas safe and healthy — and how that has changed both of their lives. Atlas, an indoor cat, is serving as a Feline Ambassador for the campaign.

When did you first start having cats in your life?

I began fostering orphan kittens for my local animal shelter when I was a teenager — and I've had cats ever since then.

I adopted Atlas when I moved to Hawai'i for work. I wanted the opportunity to train an adventure cat, and I knew starting with a kitten was the best way to go about it.

Samantha and Atlas

What is an "adventure cat"? Why did you want Atlas to be an adventurer?

An adventure cat is an indoor cat that has been trained to wear a harness and leash to accompany their owner on outdoor excursions.

I wanted to train Atlas to be an adventure cat because that way we'd be able to explore the outdoors together. I needed company, and he needed stimulation. We've shared so many cool experiences together—shark-watching on a beach in Hawai'i, birding, tree-climbing, even swimming!

Atlas exploring on leash. All photos and videos by Samantha Christie

Do you believe that you're doing your part to protect the environment by keeping your adventure cat safely and happily contained?

By keeping my cats indoors or on a leash I am directly preventing the deaths of birds in my neighborhood. I love when people approach me when I'm out with Atlas. It's a great opportunity to share our story and encourage cat-lovers to protect wildlife.

Another bonus of walking Atlas at parks is that he is really good at spotting discarded fishing line. We have a whole jar full of fishing line and hooks that he has found over the years. It's pretty cool to have a cat that actually does wildlife some good by cleaning up the environment!

Do you think the way you care for your cat impacts the environment positively?

Absolutely! Every cat owner has a choice to make that will not only affect the safety of their pet but also the safety of their neighborhood wildlife.

As a wildlife rehabilitator, I frequently hear cat owners claim that “this is the first time she's caught a bird,” or, “I didn't think my chubby cat was capable of hunting.”

The truth is, cats are very good predators, and studies have shown that they drastically impact wildlife populations.

Have your cats always been indoors or contained (leash, screened-in porch, etc)? If so, why?

I have always kept my cats indoors. From a young age, I have loved and wanted to protect wildlife. I grew up in the suburbs of New Jersey enjoying common wildlife like robins, cardinals, ground hogs, and white-tailed deer.

As a kid, I remember a relative's cat killing a baby rabbit, and I was horrified. He didn't eat it, either. He was a well-fed pet. He just killed it because that's what predators do. A few years later, one of their cats was hit by a car.

I'm responsible for keeping my pets safe. I'm also responsible for any damage that they do. There are already so many threats facing wildlife—habitat destruction, pollution, and introduced species. The last thing they need is to be hunted by my cats.

How did Atlas come into your life? What types of indoor/outdoor activities does he enjoy?

I moved to Hawai'i in 2016 to manage the Hawai'i Wildlife Center's wildlife rehabilitation program. I didn't know many people, and my family was 5,000 miles away, so I was a bit lonely when exploring the island. I needed a buddy. I found Atlas at the Hawai'i Island Humane Society.

Atlas had an astonishing amount of energy as a kitten. I started harnessing that energy (pun intended) when he was about 10 weeks old.

Atlas exploring

He loves going for walks and will even drag his leash to the front door to show me that he's ready for an adventure. He's explored Hawaiian beaches, valleys, and lava rock.

Since we've moved to Idaho, he's loved playing in the snow and crunchy autumn leaves. He gets to experience the outdoors without the dangers. Best of all, we get to do it together.

For owners considering keeping their cats indoors, do you have any recommendations on how to keep cats happy without letting them roam unattended?

You can't be lazy! Most cats crave adventure, whether that's a walk on a leash or a game of laser pointer hunting in the living room. Use your cat's thirst for adventure as an opportunity to spend time with them.

One of the differences between cats and dogs is that cats get worn out faster. A quick 15-minute play session or walk around the yard will tire your cat out.

Why do you enjoy cats?

They want to be involved in whatever we're doing. They “help” put away groceries, open packages, and change the bed sheets. They can be fascinated by something really simple, and that's fun to watch.

What's the best part about being a cat mom?

I love watching my cats live their lives to the fullest. For one of them that means taking walks and climbing trees on a leash. For another that means cuddling on a lap during a movie. We're a big happy family, and everyone gets along so well. It's very rewarding.

What makes Atlas special?

Atlas is a very confident adventure cat. Even though he is two years old, he still acts like a kitten. He's constantly alert and ready to join the action. He has a really sweet side too, helping us foster and leash-train several orphan kittens.

Atlas has a lot of qualities that make him a prime candidate for leash-training, but the truth is that any cat has the potential to excel with patience and some training.

When you see your cat enjoying toys or strolling outside on a leash, how do you feel?

Thrilled. Atlas gets extremely excited when I pick up the harness, so it's obvious how much he enjoys it. He purrs loudly and head-butts me as I get him strapped in. Once outside, he lights up when he sees a falling leaf or a flying insect. His fascination is so pure that I can't help but feel the same kind of wonder.

Atlas enjoying the outdoors

How did you train Atlas on a leash/harness?

I started Atlas's training when he was a kitten. At first I had him wear the harness around the house and distracted him with toys. Then I introduced the leash as a new toy so that it wouldn't be scary.

Once he was comfortable with those, I brought him on lots of car rides and strolls around the yard. Soon he wanted to go farther and longer.

It's important to realize that walking a cat is different than walking a dog.

With a cat it's more about letting them decide what's interesting. They want to sniff this flower for five minutes? That's cool. They want to roll in these weeds? Sure, go ahead. You can't rush the process. The more time you invest in getting them comfortable, the more fun you'll both have!

Do you have any funny stories of your adventures with Atlas?

On one of our adventures in Hawai'i, Atlas and I came across a pet pig on a leash! It's a good day when you're not the strangest pet owner at the park.

Join Samantha and our growing community of caring cat owners to keep both cats and wildlife safe. Sign our pledge today and commit to keeping your cats happy and healthy.