Does Disneyland use feral cats to control the rodent population?

The topic of Disneyland’s rumored population of feral cats, which are supposedly used to keep rodents at bay, has long been a topic of discussion on social media and fan forums like Theme Park Insider. Several accounts on X and Instagram are dedicated to Disneyland’s alleged feline population. These cats have amassed a significant following online, with fans sharing photos and stories of their sightings, and some visitors even trying to spot the elusive animals during their trips to the Anaheim, Southern California amusement park.

For example, a recent April 2024 post from Cats of Disneyland, an Instagram account that self-categorizes as “Satire/Parody,” featured a photo of a supposed Disneyland cat identified as “Marjorie”:

In January 2024, a post on the Disneyland subreddit asked the question, “Have you ever been lucky enough to see a Disneyland cat?”

(Reddit)

There’s even a fan site called The cats of Disneylanddedicated to these felines, with stories, profiles, photos and updates about the theme park’s furry inhabitants. However, a disclaimer at the bottom of this website clarifies as follows:

The Cats of Disneyland is a parody site that is not part of, endorsed or authorized by, or affiliated with, The Walt Disney Company or its affiliates.

It is true that Disneyland is home to a sizable cat population. Several major outlets including The Los Angeles Times, Business Insider and SFGATE reported on the feral feline phenomenon in the theme park. Disney-focused outlet Inside the magic estimates that around 200 feral cats I live in the Anaheim area. And Reddit posts as far back as 2011 have discussed the feral cats that populate the park. But the details of the alleged active or intentional use of these cats are murky.

Does Disney acknowledge why the cats stay in the park?

Despite multiple reports widely circulating that the park actively maintains these cats to control the park’s rodent population, Disneyland and The Walt Disney Company have provided little confirmation to support this specific reason. While many sources and reports suggest this connection, without direct confirmation from Disney, it remains an unofficial and speculative part of the narrative.

However, in a 2010 article by The Los Angeles Times, the reporter received acknowledgment from a Disneyland animal manager about the cats’ existence, admitting their usefulness in keeping vermin under control:

“We’re not trying to get rid of them,” said Gina Mayberry, manager of Disneyland’s Circle D Farm, where the park’s animals are housed. “They keep the rodent population down.”

We reached out to Disneyland media relations for further confirmation on the purpose of the park’s feral feline population, but they did not immediately return a request for comment.

In the few statements from Disney representatives, the focus was on the company’s overall commitment to animal welfare, rather than any particular role cats play in rodent control.

For example, in a 2011 report by The Orange County Register, then-Disney spokeswoman Suzi Brown emphasized the park’s “long legacy of caring for nature and animals.” However, she did not explicitly state that the cats were kept for the purpose of rodent control. “To keep the animals healthy and our guests safe, we ask guests to avoid feeding, picking up or approaching them,” she added.

The Orange County Register reported that “in 2001, the volunteer group Best Friends Catnippers helped spay and neuter cats and later sponsored cats being treated at a local veterinary hospital.”

We reached out to Best Friends Catnippers as well as parent nonprofit Best Friends Animal Society for confirmation of their role in caring for the Disneyland cats, but they did not immediately return a request for comment.

Author Mike Fox, who wrote “The Hidden Secrets & Stories of Walt Disney World,” “The Hidden Secrets & Stories of Disneyland,” and “Disneyland In-Depth,” also commented on the subject. A summary of Fox “The Hidden Secrets & Stories of Disneyland” noted that the book includes information on “where to find the feline ‘cat members’ of Disneyland” (a play the title of “cast members”, the name given to Disney workers employed at the parks).

In 2018, he told Business Insider that the park actively housed the cats, who “come down through the park day and night keeping any rodents under control.” However, although Fox has been featured in various Disney-themed stores due to his extensive knowledge, he is not an official representative of the Walt Disney Company. As such, his statements are not official confirmations from the park about why feral cats are allowed to stay at Disneyland.

In addition, Business Insider pulled much of the information about Disneyland’s feral cats from The Cats of Disneyland website. However, as mentioned earlier, this is a satire site that is not officially endorsed by Disney.

Cats have been living at Disneyland for years

These felines, on a large scale reported as part of Disneyland since the 1950s, when they were supposedly discovered living in Castle of Sleeping Beautythey primarily come out at night when the park is closed, so they rarely interact with visitors during the day. Disneyland is said to provide food and medical care to ensure the cats stay healthy.

Snopes revealed a Change.org petition launched in 2015 called “Stop the Starvation of Community Cats of Disneyland Area/ Anaheim!” According to the petition:

Anaheim law said DISNEYLAND and residents must starve their beloved stray cats! The ban was eventually legally dropped, but citizens are still being told by enforcement officers to starve the cats!

…

Three years ago, the city of Anaheim passed a new code that made it illegal for residents to feed feral cats. Instead of spending resources on humane spay/neuter programs, the city began harassing and threatening caretakers for simply feeding community cats; innocent creatures who depend on devoted feeders for their lives. This not only hurt the cats, but turned their warm-hearted humans into criminals. Anaheim is home to Disneyland, which has its own famous feral cat community. Anaheim Fix Project/ OC Community Cats fought hard to change the law – and eventually the ban was lifted. The Anaheim Fix Project now works in cooperation with the city and has taken over the care, repair and feeding of many community cat colonies that were out of control and dirty, but are now under control and the cats are healthy and cared for.

We addressed ourselves community conservation and licensing manager for the City of Anaheim for confirmation regarding the care and treatment of these cats and will update this article if we receive a response.

In conclusion, it is well documented that Disneyland is home to a significant population of feral cats. Their presence is not hidden and they have become a legend among Disneyland fans. While many sources claim that Disneyland actively or intentionally allows cats to roam free to control the rodent population, this specific purpose remains unconfirmed by Disneyland itself, aside from a few remarks over the years. According to a Los Angeles Times article, it was a “badly kept secret” that the cats were used for this purpose, but the theme park never officially acknowledged this reasoning.

Without direct confirmation from Disneyland or The Walt Disney Company, this aspect of the cats’ role in the theme park remains speculative. Cats certainly live at Disneyland and are cared for by staff, although their continued presence/use is not definitively confirmed by the company.

Snopes previously reported numerous rumors about Disneyland, including the false claim that Disney had “cancelled” the “Peter Pan” character Tinker Bell and the satirical claim that 100 squatters had conquered Disneyland.