WWHD?*

* What would Hemingway do?

This story from the LA Times is almost too tragicomic to be true.

Hemingway's home in Key West, FL is a museum to Papa, as well as home to over 40 cats, many of whom are descendants of Hemingway's original cats. The cats apparently loll about the grounds and are treated as pets. However, there is a movement to get the cats classified as animals that are performers, so that they are treated as animals in a circus or zoo. So, rather than have their freedom, they would be locked up in cages after 5 PM every day. The people leading this rally are concerned about the cat's ability to escape and possibly get run over by cars on the highway.

The caretakers of the museum would prefer to allow the cats roam free. Therefore, they are fighting this battle legally and through public support. I don't know where I stand on this issue -- 47 cats is quite a lot to live in one home. (Imagine the litter boxes!) However, I don't see the point in caging animals for their protection. If you want to support the Hemingway kitties, click here.