Pittsburgh’s inaugural Cat Walk will bring whiskers and “whimsy” to Brighton Heights this weekend

The 2010s gave the world Sillybandz, Twilight movies, the Ice Bucket Challenge, and, believe it or not, cat tours. While they didn’t trend on social media the way some 2010s staples did, the creation where residents sign their homes and cats up to be adored by interested parties during walking tours has caught fire. In years past, one could find a cat tour in cities like Chicago, New York, and Sacramento. Now, in the heart of Brighton Heights on Aug. 22, those interested can attend Pittsburgh’s first-ever cat tour.  Inspired by successful cat tours they’d seen conducted in other cities and their own love for felines, Carlin Christy and Heather Costello tell Pittsburgh City Paper that attendees can look forward to an event where whimsy, social responsibility, and love for animals collide. “A cat tour is a day to celebrate cats and highlight cats in their houses,” Christy says. “We will be doing a tour of cats in the Brighton Heights neighborhood where we both live, and this will be a guided walking tour. So we have houses that are signed up to display their cats in their windows or porches, doorways, and people will be able to see them and take pictures celebrating cats.” Currently, there are nearly 20 cats signed up for public viewing during the tour. In addition to the cats being showcased, Christy and Costello say that attendees are more than welcome to bring their own furry friends to the 90-minute walk around the neighborhood. During the event, in addition to the tour, attendees will get the opportunity to participate in a raffle, purchase cat-themed crafts, and learn from local nonprofits dedicated to fostering and providing veterinary services for cats in the city.  “There will be tables set up for the nonprofits. They’ll be selling things, taking donations. There will be a raffle of a cat quilt made by someone in our neighborhood. Another neighbor made cat coasters,” Costello says. “We have a few other donations that we’ll put tog