Does Disneyland use feral cats to control the rodent population?

The subject of Disneyland’s alleged feral cat population, allegedly used to ward off rodents, has long been a topic of discussion on social media and fan forums such as Theme Park Insider. Several accounts on X and Instagram are dedicated to the alleged cat population at Disneyland. These cats have gained a sizable following online, with fans sharing photos and stories of their sightings, and some visitors even attempting to spot the elusive animals during their trips to the theme park in Anaheim, Southern California.

For example, a recent April 2024 post from Cats of Disneyland, an Instagram account that describes itself as a “satire/parody,” included a photo of a supposed Disneyland cat named “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 is even a fan website called The cats of Disneylanddedicated to these cats, with stories, profiles, photos and news about the furry residents of the theme park. However, a disclaimer at the bottom of this website makes the following clear:

The Cats of Disneyland is a parody site and is in no way a part of, endorsed, authorized or affiliated with The Walt Disney Company, or its subsidiaries.

It is true that Disneyland is home to a significant cat population. Several reputable media outlets, including The Los Angeles Times, Business Insider and SFGATE reported on the wild cat phenomenon in the theme park. Disney-focused outlet Inside the magic estimates that around 200 wild cats live on the premises in Anaheim. And As early as 2011, Reddit posts talked about the feral cats that populate the park. However, details about the alleged active or targeted use of these cats remain unclear.

Does Disney admit why the cats stay in the park?

Although numerous reports have widely claimed that the park actively keeps these cats to keep the park’s rodent population under control, Disneyland and the Walt Disney Company have provided little evidence to support this specific reason. Although many sources and reports point to this connection, it remains an unofficial and speculative part of the story without direct confirmation from Disney.

However, in a 2010 Los Angeles Times article, the reporter received confirmation of the cats’ existence from a Disneyland animal manager, who admitted that they were useful in pest control:

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

We reached out to Disneyland’s press office for additional confirmation on the purpose of the park’s feral cat population, but they did not immediately respond to our request for comment.

In the few statements made by Disney representatives, the focus was more on the company’s general commitment to animal welfare and less on the special role of cats in rodent control.

In a 2011 report in the Orange County Register, then-Disney spokeswoman Suzi Brown emphasized the park’s “long tradition of caring for nature and animals.” However, she did not specifically mention that the cats were kept for rodent control. “To keep the animals healthy and our guests safe, we ask that guests do not feed them, pick them up, or approach them,” she added.

The Orange County Register reported that “the volunteer group Best Friends Catnippers helped spay and neuter the cats in 2001 and later funded the cats’ treatment at a local veterinary clinic.”

We reached out to Best Friends Catnippers and its parent nonprofit Best Friends Animal Society to confirm their role in caring for the cats at Disneyland, but they did not immediately respond to our request for comment.

Author Mike Fox, author of The Hidden Secrets & Stories of Walt Disney World, The Hidden Secrets & Stories of Disneyland and Disneyland In-Depth, also commented on this topic. A summary of Fox’s “The Hidden Secrets & Stories of Disneyland” noted that the book contains information on “where to find Disneyland’s feline ‘feline members'” (a Word play on the term “cast members”, i.e. the Disney employees working in the parks).

In 2018, he told Business Insider that the park actively rehomes the cats, who “roam the park day and night, keeping all rodents at bay.” Although Fox has been featured at various Disney-themed outlets due to his extensive knowledge, he is not an official representative of the Walt Disney Company, so his statements are not official confirmations from the park about the reasons why the feral cats are allowed to remain at Disneyland.

Additionally, Business Insider got a lot of its information about Disneyland’s wild cats from the website The Cats of Disneyland. As mentioned, however, this is a satirical site and is not officially endorsed by Disney.

Cats have been living in Disneyland for years

These cats, far reported as part of Disneyland since the 1950s, when they were allegedly discovered living in Sleeping Beauty Castlecome out mainly at night when the park is closed, so they rarely interact with visitors during the day. Disneyland is supposed to provide food and medical care to ensure the cats stay healthy.

Snopes unearthed a Change.org petition started in 2015 titled “Stop the Starvation of Community Cats in the Disneyland Area/Anaheim!” The petition states:

By Anaheim law, DISNEYLAND and its residents must starve their BELOVED stray cats! The ban was eventually lifted, but citizens are still being told by law enforcement officials to starve their cats!

…

Three years ago, the City of Anaheim passed a new ordinance prohibiting residents from feeding feral cats. Instead of spending its resources on humane spay and neuter programs, the city began harassing and threatening caregivers simply for feeding community cats – innocent creatures whose lives depend on devoted feeders. Not only did this hurt cats, it also turned warm-hearted people into criminals. Anaheim is home to Disneyland, which has its own famous community of feral cats. Anaheim Fix Project/OC Community Cats fought hard to change the law – and eventually the ban was lifted. Anaheim Fix Project now works with the city and has taken over the care, spay and feeding of many community cat colonies that were out of control and filthy, but are now under control and the cats are healthy and well-cared for.

We turned to the We have reached out to the City of Anaheim’s Community Preservation and Licensing Manager for confirmation regarding the care and treatment of these cats and will update this article if we receive a response.

In summary, it is well documented that Disneyland is home to a sizable population of feral cats. Their presence is no secret, and they have become something of a legend among Disneyland fans. While many sources claim that Disneyland actively or intentionally allows the cats to roam free to control the rodent population, Disneyland has not confirmed this specific purpose, aside from a few remarks over the years. According to a Los Angeles Times article, it was a “poorly kept secret” that the cats were used for this purpose, but the theme park has never officially admitted this reason.

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

Snopes has already reported on numerous Disneyland rumors, including the false claim that Disney has “cancelled” the “Peter Pan” character Tinker Bell, and the satirical claim that 100 squatters took over Disneyland.