The Seattle Humane Society set a record last year by finding homes for 6,091 dogs, cats and critters. It is the highest number of placements in the nonprofit’s 112-year history.

A total of 6,811 abandoned, orphaned and stray animals were brought to the Bellevue-based Humane Society in 2009. That’s 1,461 or 27 percent more animals than 2008.

The Society prepared for an influx of animals in 2009 after learning that the county planned to get out of the sheltering business. The organization’s volunteer foster families cared for more than 3,000 animals last year, and more than 1,400 volunteers helped by walking dogs, brushing cats, assisting veterinary services and helping with office work.

In December alone, the Humane Society placed 601 animals into homes before the holidays – another all-time record for a single month. Nine out of 12 months were adoption record-setters in 2009, Society officials said.

“We couldn’t have done it without the help of thousands of animal-lovers in Seattle and King County,” said CEO Brenda Barnette. “Our community really stepped up to help during a challenging year, by adopting, by fostering animals, volunteering, and donating. We are counting on their continued help in 2010, and we know the community will be there for the animals.”