Once told my wife that going shopping with her was like taking a walk with a cat. Only once - never again.
Personally hate leashes, they have two ends. I wouldn’t live with a pet without a 24/7 pet door.
It really depends on the cat and your relationship with it. We had a siamese that trotted along (leashless) with us regularly on a two mile loop on back country roads.
I also knew a cat that you could take into a road side rest area, turn off the engine and let him out. Give him some time, start the car and the cat’s back inside in 10 seconds.
Leash on a cat ridiculous? Certainly not, if it works for the cat.
I owned Puppy-Cat, a lilac Siamese who was raised by a mother dog after her own mother kicked her out of the litter. She loved walking on a leash and also retrieved like a dog.
I miss Puppy-Cat.
I still have scars from just trying to get the harness on.
My cat, needless to say, is not a fan.
They’ re required by local law in some places, like where I used to live in NC . (I doubt they were ever enforced against cat violations). Here’s part of the penalty section of their animal control code. You can’t even tie your pit bull to a tree any more. Has to be in a fenced enclosure with a concrete floor and a securely covered top.
CIVIL CITATIONS*
Section/Description
5-1 (d) Interference with any Duly Appointed Agent $150.00
5-4 (d), (g) Restraint - Dogs Tied Out or Outside Enclosure $250.00
5-4 (2) Public Nuisance
First Violation $50.00
Second Violation $100.00 Three or More Violations $200.00
5-5 (A) County License Fee $100.00
(B) Rabies Vaccination $200.00
5-6 Keeping Stray Animals $25.00
5-7 Rabies Vaccination and Control $500.00
5-8 Wearing of Collar, Tags, & Identification $15.00
5-9, 5-4 (d) Dogs/Cats Running-at-Large, Leash Requirement
First Violation $25.00
Second Violation $75.00
Third Violation $200.00
Fourth Violation $300.00
Five or More Violations $500.00**
Unprovoked Dog Bite/Running Loose $500.00
5-10 Vicious Animals $500.00
5-11 Barking Dogs
First Violation $50.00
Second Violation $100.00
Three or More Violations $250.00
5-12 Teasing and Molesting $100.00
I tried it with my 'fraidy cat 'Lil. She flipped out, literally. She did foward and back flips, crashing onto the ground with full force. Scared me as much as it scared her. We never tried again.
I had a cat years ago who became completely boneless when we put a harness on him. I was afraid we’d some how broken his back putting the thing on. He didn’t move. You could pick him up and he’d drape. Took the harness off and he was up and gone. Never tried that again either.
Researched it a bit more. Seems cat leash laws abound in NC (according to Brian Williams on tonight’s NBC Nightly News)(yes I watch that sometimes) and at least one town is passing one on Monday, Clayton. Haven’t found the news item on it but here’s an opinion about it. Oh, NC also bans smoking in restaurants as of today.
I never really considered a leash for a cat until this thread. I’ll have to wait until my old fuzzball dies though. If I tried putting a leash on him he would look at me like You’re kidding, right? And then shoot me his death stare.
[quote=“delphica, post:35, topic:523009”]
Please go tell your Dad that he is THE BEST.
Delphica, I’ve told him and it has made his night that people out there on the internet ("Who are they? How do you know them? How did my picture get there?) have enjoyed his picture.
He’s a great dad and the cat isn’t bad either. The cat is definitely “his” cat, but this hound is all mine.
*picture added at dad’s request, 'cause Gator needed his moment on the interwebs
It’s a bit late, but this lolcat seems appropriate to this discussion. 
[quote=“BethCro, post:49, topic:523009”]
Does your dad know my mom? She sez the exact same things!
At this time of year I can put my cat out on the deck (after I shovel it) for some air w/o his leash, he isn’t about to walk anywhere in the snow. The big sissy.