Manager of Hemingway House in Key West & 9 employees staying to care for house & cats

[highplainsdem]

https://www.inquisitr.com/4483346/the-hemingway-home-and-cats-in-key-west-are-in-the-path-of-hurricane-irma/

The Hemingway House and Museum in Key West, Florida is in the direct path of Hurricane Irma, but the manager or the historical site, Jacqui Sands says that she is planning to stay put and do what she can to care for the estate and that family of fifty-five cats that call it home. Sands says she has an obligation to the Hemingway historical site and the cats.

“If I didn’t have to, I wouldn’t stay. My kids told me to get the hell out. But I have an obligation to take care of the building and the cats.”

Jacqui Sands is the manager and caretaker of the site that Ernest Hemingway called home on Key West. The cats are also an unusual collection as they are polydactyl, meaning they have six or seven toes on one foot. Sands won’t be alone caring for the Hemingway House and Hemingway cats, as nine employees are staying with her. All are working right now to prepare the Key West property as well as they can for the approaching Hurricane Irma.

“They couldn’t leave because either they don’t have a car or couldn’t find a flight out of here. I think we are going to be fine.”

The Hemingway House, built in 1851, is limestone in the French Colonial style, has withstood many hurricanes, and luckily it sits at the highest point of the island and is sixteen feet above sea level.

-snip-

_______


Editing to add more info from the Houston Chronicle:

http://m.chron.com/news/nation-world/nation/article/Cats-Ernest-Hemingway-home-Key-West-Irma-Hurricane-12180112.php

The six-toed cats of the Hemingway Home Museum will be free to come and go between the hurricane-proof buildings as Irma sweeps across the islands. While some may be concerned for that cats' safety, the museum's executive director Dave Gonazlez said the felines are quite adept at surviving storms that hit Key West.

"Cats know naturally when to go. As soon as the barometric pressure drops, they come in," Gonzalez told Chron.com. "They know before humans do when it's time to get in."

Gonzalez noted the Hemingway home has never lost a cat to a hurricane.

The author's former home serves as a museum where polydactyl cats - six toes - roam freely. Some of the cats are said to be descendants of Hemingway's own six-toed cat.

[democratisphere]

1. My kind of woman; protecting cats and preserving history.

Hope Jacqui Sands and all those cats remain safe.

[kimbutgar]

2. I saw her on a tv show showing this island

What a brave and courageous woman. I pray she is safe with the cats.

[czarjak]

3. The cats can't be worth it.

[irisblue]

4. so you don't like cats huh?😽😼😽

[Honeycombe8]

5. Sounds like you don't know about the Hemingway 6-toed cats.

They're worth money in that they are a draw to people going to the Hemingway home museum. They're all descended from a white fluffy cat given to the Hemingways eons ago. They all have six toes.

The originals were Hemingways. They lived inside & outside, laid on his sofa.

So they're worth some money, if that makes a difference to you. They are part of the museum.

But for the rest of us who value the animals of the world, just the fact that they are living, breathing pets would be enough to try to protect them.

Poof! You have now been edumacated!

[yortsed snacilbuper]

16. I risked my life to save dogs when I was in the U. S. Coast Guard,

and I would have done the same for a cat.

[Midnight Writer]

6. So why is moving cats to safety not the best option? How the hell do U protect a cat in catastrophe?

The storm will destroy the property or not regardless of people present. Move the cats and valuables and people and get to safety.

I hate this silly "I ain't runnin' from no storm" posturing.

[Hortensis]

8. They believe they'll be safe in buildings that "have withstood many hurricanes."

This is not all about the cats. In fact, they state the cats do a good job of taking care of themselves and they've never lost one to a hurricane.

Hope they don't now. Even more, it's a fine old home and I hope it handles Irma well also.

Personally, since we're on the subject, I dislike the very regrettable tendency of some to despise and misunderstand others without cause.

[cwydro]

13. They are all fine.

You know what I hate?

I hate people who have no idea about the Keys preaching to those who do. Pfft.

[justhanginon]

7. I would think she has an obligation to her kids also. Sometimes

one has to prioritize their values. Personally, I could not put my kids through that worry or possible loss of a parent whom they love.

[RandomAccess]

9. CNN is reporting the storm will strengthen to a Cat 5 by the time

it hits the FL keys.

I hope she's not going to get to meet ole Mr. Hemingway anytime soon.

[avebury]

10. Someone posted on FB:

(2 hours ago) Just got a call from Nicole Navarro @ the Hemingway House. All bldgs. are intact. Trees and branches down but everyone is fine.

[highplainsdem]

14. Thanks! Great news!

[FLPanhandle]

11. From Twitter...

[highplainsdem]

15. Thanks!