Lucky Cat Cafe & Lounge

Who are we?

We are Kentucky's only nonprofit cat café, a charming, cage-free animal shelter in Louisville, KY. Up to a dozen cats or kittens roam freely in three large rooms filled with cat towers, cubbies, plenty of toys, and a cat TV. We partner with four local rescue organizations: Little Orphans Kitten Rescue, Shamrock Pet Foundation, CatHeads Kitty Rescue, and the Humane Society of Oldham County.

Our mission is to find homes for rescued cats, from abandoned and sheltered cats to kittens born under porches. We provide a safe, relaxing environment where visitors can sip coffee and play with cats and kittens.

Many of our cats were abandoned or abused, and others were surrendered. All of our cats are adoptable. They have been spayed/neutered, tested, vaccinated, and microchipped. Since we opened in 2018, we have found homes for 740 rescue cats. Our cats are very friendly and love receiving pets and attention from visitors. Theywould make wonderful additions to any family. 

Our large team of volunteers runs everything from feeding cats to making coffee. Most visitors come to hang out, pet cats, and relax. Our quaint gift shop adds fun to the overall experience of bonding with rescue cats.

How are we different from other cat cafés?

Of the 230+ cat cafés in the U.S., only 10% are nonprofit. The other cafés are for-profit businesses.

We specialize in senior and special needs cats, and we have more partners than any other cat café! We are located in a historic 100-year-old gorgeous blue cottage. It's a comfortable and relaxing place for visitors to pet and play with cats, and the cats love it too! 

Around 45 to 50 trained volunteers run the organization, from feeding the cats to educating visitors about feline behavior. Our volunteers are dedicated to this cause and vow to look after the general well-being of the cats and their needs, the house and visitors, and this organization and our mission. 

How are we making a difference?

We strive to help cats out of difficult or impossible situations with nowhere else to go, including those who cannot live in shelters. We help senior and special needs cats find the right forever home. We give them a comfortable place to find theght forever home, which can sometimes take time. We help families find the right cat for their unique situation, kind of like match-making!

Holly, Elvis, and Sadie – Bringing Peace to a Terminally Ill Man

Adoption changes the lives of those who are ill and want the best for their kitties. 

Beth had just lost her cat. 

“My home wasn’t a home without a pet. So, I went to Lucky Cat Café just to pet kitties. I had seen one online that interested me, but he wasn’t at the café.”  

Beth looked around, “I am naturally drawn to animals with broken wings.” 

She spotted Elvis. 

“He looked traumatized. He told me that he needed someone. When I learned that his sister Holly was there, I adopted both.” 

When Beth found out that the person who owned Holly and Elvis was trying to find them homes due to his terminal illness, she said ‘I couldn’t imagine giving up my kitties. I had so much empathy for him and what he was doing. I understood his position. The poor kitties.”  

Now? 

“Elvis and Holly are amazing, happy, and spoiled. I can’t wait to get home and see them. My husband sends me pictures. They love my husband more than me. I think it’s because my husband looks like the man who raised them. They are both perfect.”   

Beth keeps in touch with the man who is terminally ill, sending him pictures and videos of Elvis and Holly. 

The man who owned Holly and Elvis owned a third cat named Sadie. She was returned to Lucky Cat by her first adopters. Sadie did not adjust well to life back at the café. She hid in the litter box and wouldn’t come out for anything. The manager on duty the day she was surrendered paid extra attention to her, trying to make her feel safe enough to come out to play and eat. They slowly became friends and Sadie began to eat the room service peace offering, a plate of wet food left in front of her kitty cave. 

When he told her another of his kitties had been returned to Lucky Cat, Beth’s heart broke. 

She said, “I had to go get her because she was being rehomed again.” 

Now she is in her forever home reunited with her friends. 

For anyone considering adopting a kitty from Lucky Cat Café, Beth said, “Just do it! Don’t think about it. They bring so much happiness to us. I just love them.”

Thank you!

A local artist painted this 12-ft tall mural on our building. We believe in the quote: "Time spent with cats is never wasted." We can learn so much from cats. They show us love. They show us who we are. 

Please support our mission to help rescued cats find forever homes. Big or small, every dollar makes a difference to us. Thank you and meow!