LA GRANGE, Ky. —

The Kentucky State Reformatory in Oldham County is closing after more than eight decades in operation, creating an urgent challenge for an unlikely group of residents: the roughly 60 cats that roam the prison grounds.

“Several of our volunteers, one in particular, works there, and she supplies cat food from here to help support them. They've been there for a really long time,” said Debbie Croak, director of the Humane Society of Oldham County.

With the state announcing the reformatory’s closure in 2023 and sections of the facility now shutting down as inmates relocate, Croak said the cats will soon be without regular caregivers.

“There will not be people there to care for them. Coming into the winter months and, you know, just not having availability to get to them,” C

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