Montana Tomcat Hitchhikes 90 miles on Pickup Bed

BILLINGS — Montana life hasn’t always been easy for 10-year-old Mufasa, the overweight tomcat. Adventuring outside of owner Jessie Connolly’s Big Timber ranch has led to rattlesnake bites and being soaked by a high-pressure hose.

But the Billings Gazette reports that Mufasa’s Friday morning adventure was his first 90-mile journey.

The cat walked six miles to a gas station and climbed onto a pickup bed. He was still there when the truck merged onto Interstate 90.

Highway Patrol Trooper Alexander Velasquez took the hitchhiker into custody after a call from a passing driver.

Velasquez, who calls himself a big animal person, struggled to find a shelter that wouldn’t euthanize the cat. He finally brought Mufasa to a Billings shelter that posted his story on social media.

The post made its way to Connolly, who made arrangements to pick up the tomcat.