Rescue Kittens Take Annual Aquarium Field Trip — And It's 10X Cuter Than You'd Imagine

Major holidays are impossible to miss in the U.S. Just think of how many stores and homes get decorated for Christmas right after Halloween. Likewise, the Chicago River is dyed green in March for St. Patrick's Day, and some people even start setting off fireworks for the Fourth of July in June. But then there are the more obscure celebrations — like Adopt-a-Cat Month in June. In Bloomington, Minnesota, it's celebrated with a trip to the state's largest aquarium — SEA LIFE at the Mall of America. It's not people visiting, however, it's kittens. The Bitty Kitty Brigade is a foster rescue for kittens from 0 to 6 weeks old, and it brings the kittens to the aquarium each June to give them some enrichment, a chance to socialize, and to encourage people to adopt them.

More than a dozen kittens from a Minnesota rescue organization made an adorable field trip to SEA LIFE at Mall of America. pic.twitter.com/CBciBbzOWM

— ABC News (@ABC) October 5, 2026

The kittens were able to explore the aquarium, taking in the sights of the sharks and fish. The outing is held before the aquarium opens, so the cats aren't having to dodge visitors as they wander about. Watching the kittens explore the aquarium is truly heartwarming. On a video of the experience shared on X, one impressed user wrote, "This is such a lovely idea, the kittens watching fish must be super cute." Another commenter posted, "Now that's the kind of field trip everyone can get behind. A bunch of kittens exploring the aquarium sounds like pure wholesome chaos!" Meanwhile, several others  thought that the fish must be baffled by seeing the kittens wandering about.

The first year the kittens had a field trip to the SEA LIFE Aquarium at the Mall of America was back in 2021. Clearly, it went so well that the event has continued on an annual basis. Mandy Dwyer from the Bitty Kitty Brigade told Newsweek all about the first year. "The kittens loved the aquarium," she enthused. "They were mesmerized by all the sights and new things to climb on and check out and not at all intimidated by the giant sharks swimming past." Bringing the kittens to the aquarium and posting about it on social media — what was social media designed for if not for cat videos? — is about raising awareness about the rescue center and the animals that need a home. 

If you live nearby, you might even be inspired to buy a first or even a second cat after seeing this adorable post. Or you can volunteer to help with the kittens, including bottle feeding them. In fact, volunteering at a rescue shelter and fostering a pet is a good way to compromise if you want a pet and your partner doesn't. SEA LIFE Aquarium itself also runs a similar program with puppies from the Safe Hands Rescue, which helps foster and adopt dogs in the Minneapolis area. Notably, the puppy visit was organized to help raise much-needed funds to cover renovations at the rescue center.