A Cat at Castaway Cay!

There’s a cat that makes Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay its home.  The husband and the boy found the cat that is missing one part of its ear, on our second day at Castaway Cay on our last cruise.

 At first, I didn't know what was happening.  The boy and the husband had gone off to use the restroom and I was floating away in paradise.  I saw them return to our chairs and grab something—cameras? 

Had they come across a Disney character?  Most likely, as that happens frequently on Castaway Cay.

When they returned, along with the items, I inquired.  That’s when they told me about the cat.

Well, now I am even more curious.  Why is a cat living on Castaway Cay?  How did the cat get there?

A Cast Member was handy when we headed to Cookies, Too for lunch and I started to ask questions.  Here’s what I found out:

• Yes, indeed the cat lives at Castaway Cay and has many names.  Its purpose is to rid the island of rats.
• Originally, four cats were brought to the island, and this is the only cat left.
• The cat is not fed by the Cast Members that live on the island.  Now, I am intrigued by this subject and continued on to ask more questions.  (The husband the boy are used to this by now and often have questions of their own.)

So, along with the cat, the Cast Members who make the island their home, work for Disney Cruise Line and have similar contracts to the Cast Members who work in the ship.  The island crew takes a turn at working on the ship once a month so that they can take care of any business in ports—shopping, etc.

When I asked this cast member about whether he preferred working on the ship or on the island, he quickly said the island.  Why?  Well, the living quarters are much larger than on the ship.  And, even though they work every day, there is more “down time” on the island for fishing, exploring, and such.  Also, guests are not there everyday and around all the time, like on the ship.  Good answers.

I just hope Mickey and Minnie are aware that a cat lives on Castaway Cay and are careful when they visit the island!