A man has traveled the world with his two cats, spending around $20,000 along the way. They’ve seen iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and explored Amsterdam’s picturesque canals.
Lazar Joksimovic, who is 27, got two British Shorthairs named King Louis and Todd in 2023. Since then, he and his wife, Kathleen Chen, a 28-year-old medical student, have brought their feline companions to ten countries, ranging from Siberia to Spain and Mexico.
When flying, the cats accompany them in the cabin—either perched on a seat or tucked into a carry-on. Joksimovic mentioned that each trip can set them back over $600 just for the cat tickets.
He expressed that the cats genuinely enjoy traveling, and he can’t bear the thought of leaving them behind. “Once we got Todd and Louis, we began training them to be adventurous right from the start,” said Joksimovic, who hails from Chicago. “Chicago’s a bustling city, and we took our time getting them used to the various sounds. They were eager to explore—Louie, in particular, loves going outside.”
After bringing King Loui home in August 2023, he got Todd the next month. To prepare them for travel, Joksimovic would often take the pair around the city, helping them adapt to the noise and hustle.
“We frequented parks and shopping malls, which helped them adjust. They were remarkably adaptable. Just a week after we got them, they started going outdoors, gradually getting used to louder environments like city centers,” he added.
Louie and Todd’s first adventure took them to their hometown of Toronto, followed by a trip to Mexico City in April 2024.
That four-hour flight was “easy” for the cats, and Joksimovic noted that Mexico City felt more tranquil compared to their home city. “By the time we reached Mexico City, they were about eight months old. We spent five days there, and they handled the journey really well. After being exposed to Chicago’s hustle, Mexico felt quite calm for them,” he recalled.
Following their time in Mexico City, the couple took the cats to Europe—visiting Hungary, the Netherlands, Croatia, and Montenegro. They found that Louie and Todd enjoyed sauntering through the quieter streets of Paris and exploring the serene canals of Amsterdam.
In Paris, Joksimovic noted how much quieter it was compared to Chicago, and the cats relished their walks. “They particularly loved the bridges, which offered them a great view of their surroundings. In Amsterdam, they enjoyed sniffing around the canals and watching the boats glide by,” he shared.
Traveling with the cats comes at a cost. On average, Joksimovic spends about $600 for pet tickets, and some countries require proof of rabies vaccination and health documentation for travel.
He also faced challenges during flights, where Todd and Louis sometimes weren’t allowed out of their carriers, though many airlines permitted them to sit next to Joksimovic.
Countries that Louis and Todd have visited include:
- France
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Hungary
- Montenegro
- Croatia
- Serbia
- Romania
- Mexico
- Canada
