MYSTERY SOLVED. "Furcules," now named Hercule, was Mr. Kitty's Cat Cafe's 100th adoption. (Hercule pictured in arms of owner, Tessa Siewert)

The area’s only cat cafe has been an incredible hit since opening its doors this past April, but even owner Shelli Schuppel was happily surprised to see the frequency of adoptions had led to a major milestone so soon. Friday, Sept. 27, marked Mr. Kitty’s Cat Cafe’s 100th adoption, thanks to Furcules finding his home with local Tessa Siewert.

Known as Furcules at the cat cafe and now named Hercule (inspired by author Agatha Christie’s numerous novels featuring detective Hercule Poirot), the milestone-marking adoptee was only at Mr. Kitty’s for about two weeks when Siewert decided to adopt. In chatting with Schuppel and Siewert, it is perhaps more accurate to say Hercule is the one who adopted Siewert.

A friend saying goodbye to Hercule.

“It was kind of a ‘when the pet chooses you’ thing,” Siewert said. Accompanied by her partner and roommate the day of adoption – the same people who were with Siewert when she first met Hercule – Siewert recalled sitting in the cat lounge when Hercule approached her, showing her such affection it seemed a match meant to be.

Mr. Kitty’s partners with the Eau Claire Community Humane Association to house cats suited to living with others to the cafe, a “win-win” for both organizations, Schuppel said.

“I think they’ve been shocked as well by our number of adoptions,” Schuppel said. “We never thought we would achieve this (100th adoption milestone) this early in the game. I mean, we’re not even six months in.

“I think the key to success is that we get people to see cats in an environment that’s so relaxed.”

Mr. Kitty's Cat Cafe (502 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire) is open Tuesday-Saturday, now home to a reservable party room on its lower level for groups as well.

Party room at Mr. Kitty's Cat Cafe.

See Mr. Kitty's Cat Cafe's current cat cafe guests and learn more online • Keep up with the cat cafe on Facebook