One of the tours we took in Key West was of Ernest Hemingway's Home. We were lucky enough to get an excellent guide and not only did we get to tour the home and the grounds, but we learned many interesting and fun stories regarding the Pulitzer Prize winning author. And of course, one of the highlights was getting up close and personal with the six-toed cats. According to the story, the original cat (Snowball) was a gift to Hemingway from an English Sea Captain during a stop in Key West in 1935. All of the cats on the grounds are direct descendents of Snowball. The females are allowed to have two litters before they are "fixed". All of the cats have the gene. Each litter is 50/50 - half with the extra toe and half are normal. These cats live in a virtual paradise - well cared for - fat and sassy. Our guide did tell us that right now the Hemingway House is in a "catfight" with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Key West city officials are siding with the Hemingway House and the six-toed cats. The Key West City Commission exempted the home from a city law prohibiting more than four domestic animals per household. About 50 cats live there. The Hemingway House has been locked in a dispute with the USDA, which claims the museum is an "exhibitor" of cats and needs a special license -- a claim the home disputes. The USDA wants the cats to be caged as if in a zoo and our guide told us that they are prepared to fight this with everything they have to continue allowing the cats to roam the gated grounds. After spending just an hour there, I tend to side with the cats. They are well treated and as happy as can be.
This little guy's name is Charlie Chaplin and he has the "correct" number of toes.
And as you can see below, these two beauties have the extra toe.
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