A cat arching its back, purring in delight, already resembles a yogi, or yoga master. So last week, the no-kill animal shelter Homeward Bound made the connection and sent six adult cats to mingle with students at Yoga at Connie’s, a studio in Decatur, Illinois.

Homeward Bound social media volunteer Jeanette Skaluba came up with event after a video of 12-year-old cat Oreo riding on her shoulder went viral. “Cats rule the Internet,” she explained, and she hoped the event would spur adoptions. Oreo and her feline companions alternated between the studio’s sidelines and center stage, getting yogi belly rubs. Still, one cat, Breezy, found a nice warm spot on a yoga mat underneath Emily Cook, forcing her to hold her yoga position until Breezy moved away.

June is Adopt-a-Cat month, and the collaborative event raised more than $500 for Homeward Bound. Even better, one of the yogi kitties already has a new forever home!

More info: yogaatconnies.com | Homeward Bound (h/t: thedodo, mymodernmet, pantagraph)

“By taking the cats to a yoga class, people have the opportunity to interact with them outside the shelter”

“It gives these cats exposure and shows their personality”

“I think people can envision these pets in their home easier because they’re outside the shelter”

June is Adopt-a-Cat month, and the collaborative event raised more than $500 for Homeward Bound

One of the yogi kitties already has a new forever home!