In the 1960s, the CIA actually tried to turn cats into spies. The secret mission, called Project Acoustic Kitty, implanted microphones in cats’ ears, transmitters under their skin, and antennas in their fur. The goal: to eavesdrop on Soviet conversations in public parks. But the cats refused to cooperate—wandering off, chasing birds, and doing what cats do best: whatever they please. After three years and $20 million, the project was cancelled. No cats were harmed, but the legend of Acoustic Kit

In the 1960s the CIA tried to train cat spies. Operation Acoustic Kitty involved surgically implanting microphones and radio transmitters in cats, then training them to sit near foreign leaders so U.S. operatives could listen in. | Reason Magazine