Kayleen VanderRee and her friend Danielle Gumbley are two adventurous women who love hiking in their home of British Columbia. One day, the women embarked on a two-day hiking and canoeing trip.
When they reached the park, they found something shocking: two kitten brothers abandoned in a bush behind a dumpster.
VanderRee and Gumbley immediately pulled the scared kittens out of the bush. They were tiny and just a few weeks old, but they seemed to be in good health.
The two women tried to bring the kittens to a nearby SPCA, but when they got there they found it was closed for the weekend. And so, the women decided to simply take the kittens with them on their hiking trip.
“Since we found them in a bush, we figured hiking up a mountain wouldn’t be too far out of their element,” VanderRee told Adventure Cats. “By the end of the trip, they had survived two days of rain and made their way into our hearts. The thought of giving them away was no longer an option.”
After their trip, VanderRee decided to adopt the cats. She named the kitties Bolt and Keel.
Bolt and Keel have now been with VanderRee for over three years. Both cats love hiking with their owner more than anything else in the world!
The cats also greatly enjoy kayaking and sailing. They love relaxing on the boat and watching the world go by.
VanderRee always takes plenty of precautions to keep her cats safe while she’s adventuring.
“When out for a hike, we will often pick Bolt and Keel up when other people or dogs are approaching. We won’t take Bolt and Keel out in kayaks if the waters are rough or if we are going far from shore. When on the sailboat, we would closely supervise Bolt and Keel on the deck or have them on leash.”
VanderRee always makes sure to hike at Bolt and Keel’s pace, which has been interesting for her. She moves at a slower pace when she’s with them, and she lets her cats explore her surroundings.
VanderRee loves seeing how confident her cats are getting out in the woods.
“Each time they get outside, walk on leash or hang out in a kayak, they get more comfortable and bold,” VanderRee said. “These cats have helped me through a lot and helped me to relate to nature in a fun, new way. They have brought so much joy and laughter into my life and into my friendships.”
VanderRee often shares photos of her and her cats’ adventures on Instagram. Her page now has over 100,000 followers—everyone loves seeing what she and her cats are up to!
Bolt and Keel are two curious cats who love getting to roam in the woods their mom. If you’d like to see more photos of Bolt and Keel, check out VanderRee’s Instagram page!
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