Walter the Adventure Cat

By Kaitlyn Supa

There is something different about Walter. From the beginning, it was clear he was not destined for a conventional life. Before he ever became known as an “adventure cat,” he narrowly avoided euthanasia and instead found his way to our farm, where he now enjoys a peaceful life when he isn’t out exploring the world. That second chance shaped everything that came after.

Walter isn’t content watching the outdoors through a window. Over the years, he has become a true companion in every sense of the word – one who has hiked, paddled, and camped alongside me across some of New York’s most rugged landscapes. He has slept in tents, ridden in kayaks, climbed fire towers, and confidently navigated terrain that would intimidate many people, let alone a cat.

This fall, that adventurous spirit nearly led to tragedy.

In the early morning hours of October 23, Walter broke free from my tent while we were camping at North-South Lake Campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve. I began searching immediately, hoping he was still nearby in the campground waiting for me. At 8am, I went to the campground booth to explain the situation and ask for guidance. That day, we were scheduled to check out and hike Kaaterskill Falls.

When the initial search efforts turned up nothing, the search expanded. Drones were flown outside the park, posters and flyers were distributed, and the local community – especially through social media – helped spread the word far beyond what I could have done alone.

A week later, a trail camera captured the first sign of Walter – the same morning he went missing. The timestamp revealed that within the first hour after escaping my tent, he had already traveled nearly a mile. With the help of a New York State Forest Ranger, we were able to narrow down a possible direction of travel. I started to direct my search towards Colgate Lake trails and the surrounding area. 

On November 9, I finally received a call about a possible sighting. A photograph was sent, confirming that Walter was in the East Jewett area. I was only 15 minutes away, but by the time I arrived, he was gone. In the weeks that followed, there were a handful of reported sightings – always fleeting, always just out of reach. Each one brought a surge of hope, followed by disappointment. Still, I couldn’t stop looking.

I knew I had to keep searching because Walter is not your average cat.

His experience outdoors had prepared him for survival in ways most house cats would never manage. He had camped in various DEC campgrounds in the Adirondacks, including Rollins Pond, Lewey Lake, and Putnam Pond. He completed the Tupper Lake Triad, Adirondack Fire Tower Challenge, and joined me on multiple winter snowshoeing adventures. In the Catskills, we hiked and completed the Catskill Fire Tower Challenge for three consecutive years. He is even an experienced kayaking companion. Walter knew how to move through wilderness – how to find shelter, avoid danger, and keep going.

That knowledge gave me hope when logic told me to prepare for the worst.

On the evening of November 20, after many reported sightings in the same area, I returned once again. As darkness settled in, I called his name – not fully expecting a response after 29 days alone in the Catskills. Then, out of the dark, Walter came bounding toward me.

Just like that, his solo adventure was over.

The two-hour drive home was spent with Walter asleep on my lap, purring continuously, as if to reassure both of us that we were finally safe. The relief was overwhelming, made even more powerful by the weeks of uncertainty that preceded it.

Walter’s story is not just about an adventurous cat. It’s about perseverance, trust, and the power of community. It’s about knowing when not to give up – even when the odds suggest you should. And it’s a reminder that sometimes, the wild spirits among us find their way home on their own terms.

Today, Walter is safely back on our 80-acre farm, still driven by the same curiosity that carried him through the Catskills. Thanks to perseverance, experience, and an incredible community, his adventures continue – and 2026 will bring many more miles together on the trail. For his 2026 adventures, he will be wearing a new GPS tracker collar, and we will be using an upgraded tent locking system to prevent any future solo adventures.

Kaitlyn Supa (kaitlyn.supa@gmail.com) is a New York State licensed veterinary technician in the Oncology Department at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals. She lives in Maine (Broome County), NY. Outside of work, she enjoys adventures with Walter, helping out on her family farm, relaxing with her dogs, and spending time reading.