'Cats on Your Mats' class brings yogis and adoptable cats together

It's the purrrfect combination for yogis and feline friends, combined.

The Edmonton Humane Society's "Cats on your Mats" program is a new yoga class cum cuddle fest that invites Edmontonians to take a good long cat-stretch alongside some of the society's animals up for adoption.

The program took its lead from an earlier edition launched in Vancouver that sought to connect stray cats with new owners in a unique way.

Edmonton Humane Society spokeswoman Karen Meurer said she was charmed when she heard about the Vancouver class.

"We're like 'Wait a minute, we have all these wonderful cats that need some socialization and some fun and some stretching so why not?'" she said.

"It's wonderful, actually."

Meurer said the main purpose behind the class is to benefit the cats by helping them get used to being around people as part of their preparation for adoption.

"Cats can get stressed out a little bit just like us people," Meurer said.

"But it's a two-way street — it's wonderful for us humans because we all know that having animals around … are really good for the soul, good for our health," she added.

"It's all about the wellness of the humans and the cats at the same time."

Organizers also hope the program will help get the cats adopted more quickly.

As a certified yoga instructor leads the two-legged yogis through their practise, the cats are allowed to do as they wish, whether it's flopping at the feet of a downward dog, stretch and join in or take a little nap on a yoga mat.

And so far, the weekly Saturday morning class is going 'gangbusters' Meurer said. Each class has 21 spots open for humans, and it always fills up completely.

You can sign up online to take part in a class, but there is one rule: you can't bring your own cat.

"Just bring your own mat and we'll supply the cat, no worries," Meurer said with a laugh.