The Department of Agriculture has ruled that the polydactyl (6 toed) cats, descended from Ernest Hemmingway's cat, Snowball, must be regulated by the Animal Control Act like lions or tigers in the circus or other "animal exhibits". They will have to be caged at night, among other onerous and expensive regulations or pay fines for non-compliance.
The cats are given weekly Veterinary care, most are spayed or neutered and have corporate sponsorship for medicines. They are a Key West institution and have been for over 50 years, their only vices have mostly to do with terminal cuteness while basking in the sun.
The cats are not on "exhibition". They just happen to live at the museum. Why not let Key West determine how to best to care for these creatures?