Six-Toed Cats at Hemingway House

The Ernest Hemingway house in Key West, Fla., is still home to the descendants of his beloved collection of feline friends. While he was a lover of all animals, cats seemed to steal his heart and affections over other species, and he graciously shared his home with dozens of felines. Today, many of the cats there are polydactyl, meaning they have more toes than normal.

  1. History

    • The beloved writer shared his home with multiple cats during every stage of his active life. Legend has it that, after receiving a fluffy, white polydactyl cat named Snowball as a gift from a ship's captain, Hemingway's Key West home became populated with many cats that shared the six-toed abnormality. Many of Hemingway House's cats today -- numbering between 40 and 50 -- are direct descendants of Snowball and the other cats who lived there while Hemingway was alive.

    Care

    • The dozens of feline inhabitants are fed and cared for by the historic site's staff, as well as veterinarian Dr. Edie Clark. Each cat receives annual vaccinations and regular health checks and procedures including de-worming, ear mite treatments and flea and parasite preventatives. Nearly all of the Hemingway cats are altered to prevent excessive breeding.

    Cat's Lives

    • In addition to being well-cared after by house staff and vet, the cats also are free to lounge about the furniture and grounds just as they did while Hemingway was alive. It's not unusual to see the cats relaxing on top of a sofa or desk, eagerly soaking up the sunlight and attention from paparazzi and visitors to the home.

    Federal Case

    • After a complaint about an aggressive six-toed cat that wandered off the premises, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum started a years-long court battle to decide whether or not the cats should be regulated. In 2012, the U.S. Court of Appeals declared the cats of Hemingway's Key West home were under jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture's Animal Welfare Act. Much of the court's decision was based on the cats being an attraction and exhibit, not simply house pets. Although the court case is over, the cats haven't seen a change in their daily routines or lifestyle.