When you have a theme park as large as Disneyland, you run into some unique challenges. Among them, the gobs of melted Mickey bars and popcorn boxes attract hordes of rodents, and those rodents have attracted an estimated 200-strong feral cat colony that has been going strong for the past 25 years.

Turns out, the theme park officially views the feral cat colony as “partners” in controlling the rodent population (Not everyone can be a movie star, I guess). Disneyland also helps maintain the kitty clutch through a trap, neuter, and release program, and five hidden feeding stations. Who knew that beneath the layers of cuteness lied a rich dark underbelly of even more cuteness?

Don’t bother going around saying “here kitty kitty” on your next visit to the most magical of kingdoms, though, these cats only come out at night.

Secrets of the Walt empire, revealed!

After dark, the dirty work at Disneyland begins [Los Angeles Times via Alley Cat Allies via Modern Cat]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.