Cats at Disneyland. Real ones!

[mbroschak]

My wife and I just returned from an amazing trip to Disneyland (we'll be in the world in a couple of weeks and yes we feel like the luckiest people on earth) and we saw 2 cats at various times in the park.
At first we thought these were just rogue cats who found their way in, but we saw them several times over a few days in areas where they knew the public wouldn't bother them too much. They also seemed to be there for a reason.
My wife and I gave it some thought and we had the idea that they might be there on purpose for natural pest control. No one would want mice or rats in the park, poison or traps wouldn't work with exploring kids around, and come to think of it, I've never seen a rodent in any Disney park at any time. Does anyone know if WDW would do the same thing or if there is any accuracy to my comments?

 

[sbkline]

As far as being "where they knew the public wouldn't bother them much", cats are smart and are good at figuring out where they can go without being bothered, so I don't think that in itself indicates that Disney put them there. As far as "they seemed to be there for a reason", can you elaborate a little on that one?

Without knowing anymore facts than what you have just told us, I would still be inclined to believe that these are just strays who found there way in and have figured out that this is feline heaven: plenty of "table scraps" to munch off of, as well as mice and birds to catch, plenty of water to drink and they know where they can people watch without being bothered.

 

[Jorden]

I read in Mouse Tales that they are there for natural pest control. Can't remember the full story but it was in there.

I saw a mouse... once... in Disney's California Adventures.

 

[CThaddeus]

There are indeed cats in both Disneyland and California Adventure. Originally, there were cats living in Sleeping Beauty Castle. I don't recall how they originally got there, but I think they were eventually evicted for the Sleeping Beauty Diorama walkthrough. Now, I believe they live in various places. At California Adventure, though, at least four cats live under the front of the train in Sunshine Plaza. I've often stopped at Taste Pilots' Grill and watched the cats louging in the sun. I've also encountered an extremely large opposum climbing the Rancho Del Zocalo sign. I was amazed something that large could survive undetected in the Park.
I haven't seen anything similar in Disney World, though I did come across quite a few rabbits at Epcot and Animal Kingdom last week.

 

[Tigggrl]

There are rabbits there too... when I would go to the tram after work they would be out and about.....Not so sure they are still there.

 

[Figment82]

There are cats in Epcot - I've seen theme on numerous occassions, but it's usually quite late at night.

 

[Fluxuated]

I've seen Rabbits in the bushes in Epcot, as well.

 

[PBarton]

There was a cat that spent most of its day under the bushes next to the main pool at All Star Movies resort..

:wave:

 

[Nemo14]

We've seen a cat at MK twice - not sure if she got there by the ferry or the monorail....:lookaroun

 

[Montyboy]

As far as being "where they knew the public wouldn't bother them much", cats are smart and are good at figuring out where they can go without being bothered, so I don't think that in itself indicates that Disney put them there. As far as "they seemed to be there for a reason", can you elaborate a little on that one?

Without knowing anymore facts than what you have just told us, I would still be inclined to believe that these are just strays who found there way in and have figured out that this is feline heaven: plenty of "table scraps" to munch off of, as well as mice and birds to catch, plenty of water to drink and they know where they can people watch without being bothered.

Did they have clipboards and pens?

 

[mickey&me]

I don't know about "Disney putting them there." It would seem more likely to me that the cats just sort showed up, as stray cats do, and Disney left them alone. My question would be, wouldn't some sort of...um...crowd control be necessary? I mean, cats are rather prolific in the reproduction area. Also, might they not pose a threat to guests (like scratching) if they remain untamed?

That said, I can see the "natural pest control" angle. Anybody remember Charlotte's Web when Templeton went to the fair?

 

[Montyboy]

I read in Mouse Tales that they are there for natural pest control. Can't remember the full story but it was in there.

I saw a mouse... once... in Disney's California Adventures.

It may be in Mouse Tales, but does it pass the sniff test?
"Pests" are not okay, but feral cats are. Wouldn't it be worse if a guest was bitten by a cat that Disney PUT in the park?

(I use the word "pests" for our friends Mickey, Chip and Dale - rodents seems off color.)

 

[mickey&me]

Did they have clipboards and pens?

Actually they were wearing Dream Team lanyards!

:ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL:

 

[Master Yoda]

It is my understanding as well that the cats were deliberately brought in to Disneyland for rodent control. I am sure management would much rather hear "Look at the cute kitty" coming from guests rather that "OH MY GOD! RATS!"

 

[cdunbar]

I mean whoever said something about the cats harming guests lets be realistic here, if they are the wild kind more than likely they will be more scared of you then you are of them. I mean also, disney is suppose to be an equal opportunity employer they have to give cats jobs too I mean you got Pluto and you got Goofy so you know they gotta even the scales here....:lol:

 

[saltmom1]

I saw a mouse... once... in Disney's California Adventures.

I HOPE I see 2 mice in WDW. They live there and their houses are being refurbed, right ?

 

[sbkline]

Also, might they not pose a threat to guests (like scratching) if they remain untamed?

Not from my experience. When I was growing up, my aunt used to have lots of cats in her yard which were wild. And my grandpa has several wild cats in his yard, and as a kid as well as as an adult, I have always liked to try to catch the cats, but it has always been hard to get near them. They are generally anti-social and more afraid of people than people are of them, and tend to keep to themselves. The only way I can think of that a wild cat would just come up and attack someone out of the blue is if you are messing with one of its babies or it has rabbies or something. Other than that, they always tend to run off and hide as opposed to seeking confrontation with humans.

I think both possibilities could very well be correct here. It very well may be that Disney puts cats in for natural rodent control. But I have no doubt that there are probably many cats who end up there on their own since it is a haven for wild critters.

 

[Jorden]

I HOPE I see 2 mice in WDW. They live there and their houses are being refurbed, right ?

True enough, how about I rephrase that to say I saw a mouse small enough that I could have accidently stepped on it

 

[SpaceMountainUK]

We were having breakfast at the Grand Californian sitting on the outside tables at the quick service place there and a cat came through the fence from DCA and jumped up near our table and sat cleaning itself...lol...it looked very well groomed and looked after, a cast member came out and the cat instantly knew who she was and ran to her, where the CM gave it cat treats.........So I think Disney do actually look after these animals

 

[maelstrom]

I recall reading that feral cats have always lived in Sleeping Beauty Castle. I love kitties.

To the OP: what is your icon of? I'm having a really hard time figuring it out. All I can figure out is that it's a hidden Mickey on *something*.