Six-Toed Hemingway Cats Survive Hurricane Irma
All 54 cats that prowl the grounds of the famous Hemingway House in Key West, Florida, are safe and accounted for after Hurricane Irma slammed into the Keys over the weekend as a Category 4 storm.
The cats, many of which have six or seven toes, along with 10 members of the Hemingway House museum staff spent the duration of the storm safely in the estate's 18-inch-thick limestone walls.
After stories of the havoc and destruction that Irma wreaked in the Caribbean and the US, the survival of the Hemingway Cats is a welcome relief.
The staff and cats stayed even after officials had ordered a mandatory evacuation of the Florida Keys. But Jacque Sands, the general manager of The Ernest Hemingway House, refused to leave. She stated that she had an obligation "to see the property and the cats through the hurricane."
Built in 1851, the Spanish-Colonial style house has withstood many hurricanes since its construction. So the staff boarded up the windows, stocked up on food, water, and medical supplies, and hunkered down to ride out the storm.
The 10 staff that remained in the museum took a roll call of all 54 cats, aided by one particularly organized kitty, Grace Kelly.
“When we started to round up the cats to take them inside, some of them actually ran inside knowing it was time to take shelter,” said the curator of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. “Sometimes I think they’re smarter than the human beings.”
Taking care of 54 cats on a daily basis is a monumental task, let alone caring for them without electricity and running water. But the Hemingway House staff are well prepared for weathering the after-effects of the storm. The cats go through two tons of dry cat food a year, about 60-80 pounds a week; in preparation for Irma, the staff brought over 300 pounds of cat food, enough to feed the cats for the next 4 weeks.
Many of the six-toed cats are direct descendants of Hemingway's original polydactyl cat, Snow White, who was gifted to him by a ship's captain.
Mr. Hemingway, one of the more famous cat-loving authors out there, once wrote: “A cat has absolute emotional honesty. Human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.”'
Kitty lover that I am, these cats were on my mind, and in my prayers, so I am so happy to know all survived this tragedy!
As my mother Diana Petty-Stone, emailed above,
I rescued a black male, Domestic-short haired,
7 toed, polydactyl kitten when I was an Animal control officer for Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control. I now live in Texas.
My sweet boy, Samson is now 20 years old, he is still very much a sun lover, though he is an indoor cat.
I am so thankful that the Hemingway House, staff, museum, and especially the wonderfully special felines are safe. What a great story Meowingtons !!! And of course, Mom, for being the arrival to my attention. Meow- on!
I’ve never been to Key West but going there and most specifically seeing the Hemmingway House and the multi toed cats has been high on my bucket list. So when it became obvious that Key West was right in the path of Category 4 Irma I was so worried. I was so relieved when I heard that the house, staff and cats rode it out safely, but am so sorry about the devastating effect on other people’s home and property.
I am also so very happy that all the Hemingway House cats are doing well and the staff too. I have never been able to get down to the keys for a visit. I have 3 cats of my own to take care of and one is a senior and is sick and needs meds every day and I don’t want to leave him. Thank you for keeping us informed.
We visited the cats last year ❤ They are all so beautiful . Thank you to all the care takers they stayed with them. You are all amazing!!!
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