LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Humane Society had a record year for pet adoptions. Typically dogs are the most sought after pet, but this past year was all about the cats. Cats typically only account for one-third of the adoptions at KHS, but this year, it accounted for more.

KHS saw 6,902 animal adoptions in 2019 overall. That included 3,424 cat adoptions, 3,398 dog adoptions and 80 horse adoptions. 

When analyzing why cat adoptions are going up, Andrea Blair with the Kentucky Humane Society gives a lot of credit to the Purrfect Day Cat Cafe. As of Monday afternoon, the cafe had facilitated 2,172 adoptions since it opened in August 2018. The success has gone beyond owner Chuck Patton's wildest dreams.

"We set a bar and it kept on going higher and higher. With 2,172 adoptions in a year and a half, it's the most in the country," Patton said.

The cafe offers food and drinks on a regular basis, as well as hosting events like kitten yoga. While there, guests can check out the kittens and cats up for adoption. Patton believes, it is that laid back atmosphere that creates the growing bond between customers and the animals. 

"They come in here just to hang out and try something new. What happens is they come here and find one they really, really like," Patton said.

At the same time cat adoptions have been growing, the homeless cat population is going down in Jefferson County thanks to increased spay and neuter efforts. With fewer shelter cats in Jefferson County, the Kentucky Humane Society reached out to other overcrowded shelters. KHS took in cats from 20 other counties in 2019 to put them up for adoption in Louisville.