Business Details
28 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Adopt a Cat or Kitten in Portland, OR
Founded in 1998, Cat Adoption Team (CAT) is the largest cat shelter in the Pacific Northwest, dedicated to saving the lives of homeless, unwanted, sick, and injured cats. We provide adoption services, foster care, and veterinary care while offering community programs to support cat owners and prevent homelessness. Our mission emphasizes compassion, expertise, and collaboration, with a focus on individual cat welfare and community impact. Over 27 years, we've achieved over 66,000 adoptions and maintain high care standards through Fear Free environments and Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) guidelines.Our onsite Roger H. James Veterinary Hospital offers low-cost spay/neuter services and medical care, while initiatives like the Keeping Cats in Homes Fund and Fostering 4 Rock Stars program extend our reach. We operate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, relying on donations, volunteers, and partnerships to transform the Portland metro area into one of the safest regions for cats.
Services
Cat Adoption
Foster Care
Spay/Neuter Clinic
Veterinary Services
Community Support
Pet Rehoming
Cat Food Bank
Volunteer Programs
Nine Lives Transfer
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- 27 years of experience with over 66,000 cat adoptions
- Fear Free certified shelter environment for reduced stress
- Onsite veterinary hospital with low-cost spay/neuter services
- Community programs like Keeping Cats in Homes Fund
- Nationally recognized foster program model (Fostering 4 Rock Stars)
Associations and certifications
- Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) Guidelines
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
What people say
Excellent care
Supportive community
Lifesaving programs
Knowledgeable staff
Happy adoptions
Services
Cat Adoption
We facilitate cat and kitten adoptions through personalized counseling and behavioral assessments. Our process ensures compatibility between adopters and cats, with all animals spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Post-adoption support includes resources and the CAT Helpline for ongoing care guidance.
Spay/Neuter Clinic
Our low-cost clinic offers spay/neuter surgeries with tiered pricing based on income. Services include pre-surgical exams, anesthesia, and post-operative care. Additional options like vaccinations and microchipping are available to promote responsible pet ownership and reduce cat overpopulation.
Foster Program
Volunteers provide temporary care for kittens and cats needing special attention. The nationally recognized Fostering 4 Rock Stars program offers training, medical support, and resources to foster families, preparing animals for successful adoption while reducing shelter stress.
Community Support
We provide financial aid through the Keeping Cats in Homes Fund for veterinary care, emergency boarding, and behavior consultations. The CAT Helpline offers advice on rehoming, behavior issues, and access to low-cost services, helping families maintain human-cat bonds during crises.
Veterinary Services
The Roger H. James Veterinary Hospital delivers preventive and urgent care for shelter cats and low-cost services for owned pets. Capabilities include surgeries, dental procedures, and diagnostics, with a focus on treating medical conditions that improve adoptability and quality of life.
People
Dylan
Shelter Associate
Dedicated cat caretaker and exercise instructor, Dylan combines animal welfare expertise with physical fitness knowledge to enhance feline well-being at the shelter.
Questions
What adoption services do you offer?
We provide cat/kitten adoptions with behavioral assessments, spay/neuter services, vaccinations, and microchipping. Post-adoption support includes care resources and the CAT Helpline.
Do you offer low-cost spay/neuter services?
Yes, our clinic offers tiered pricing for spay/neuter surgeries based on income, with additional services like vaccinations and microchipping available.
How can I get involved as a volunteer?
We offer diverse volunteer opportunities from cat socialization to event support. Training is provided for roles in adoption, foster care, and shelter operations.
What community support programs exist?
The Keeping Cats in Homes Fund assists with veterinary costs, emergency boarding, and behavior consultations. The CAT Helpline provides rehoming guidance and resource referrals.
How do donations help cats?
Donations fund medical care, spay/neuter programs, and community initiatives. Monthly giving supports ongoing operations and expands our lifesaving capacity.
Videos
Reviews (6)
F. G.
May 19, 2022
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Not quite the average shelter! This is apparently the largest shelter* in the PNW and it is fantastic. We visited a couple times before finding our purrfect match and each time the shelter was impeccably clean and well there were lots of staff and volunteers working with the cats. We had to go through a couple steps to be allowed to adopt our boy so you can see they really try to find the best match for the cats. They provided good resources as well so we didn't feel like we were on our own. Highly recommend this place and couldn't have nicer things to say about the staff! *cat only shelter
Kylie Wilkin
May 10, 2022
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Just adopted a kitten from CAT about 2 weeks ago, and it's been the most wonderful experience. My kitty got sick and they allowed me to take him in for a checkup with the shelter vet there on site, he just had a mild Upper Respiratory Infection and they gave me lots of medications and yummy wet foods for him to try to eat, as he wasn't having much of an appetite. Every part of the experience was wonderful and pleasant. They were kind, thorough in treating my new kitty, and I wouldn't ever go anywhere else. Thank you Cat Adoption Team! (Monty is pictured here, snoozing on me.)
A. Ghost'S. Reflection
Apr 20, 2022
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This will be the second cat I've gotten from CAT. I cannot speak highly enough of this place. I've seen adoption places where the cats look just miserable, this is NOT one of those places. You can tell that the cats here are expertly cared for, and that the staff genuinely loves all of the cats who come through that door. Every cat I've seen there looks to be very happy, and content while waiting for their forever home.
The staff are also very easy to work with, very patient, open to questions, and they know what they are talking about. Even though there are plenty of cat adoption places nearby me, and this one is about a half hour drive from me, this will always be my first choice for adoption.
The staff are also very easy to work with, very patient, open to questions, and they know what they are talking about. Even though there are plenty of cat adoption places nearby me, and this one is about a half hour drive from me, this will always be my first choice for adoption.
Arianna Sweeney
Oct 22, 2021
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I had a great experience adopting and had a very kind and caring person help me with that process. We love our addition, a kitten we named Charlie. Unfortunately, Charlie was extremely sick when adopted (we had no idea) and had cost us far upward of $1,000 and we aren't even done treating her yet. She had advanced ringworm, giardia, and hook/round worms. This has been a nightmare with another cat in the home and a 4 year old.
It's been months since bringing her home and we still haven't been able to just let her "be" here. I love what cat adoption team does and their mission but I feel very uneasy about the fact that I had no idea I was adopting a very, very sick cat. If I had at least known-I could have wasted less having multiple vets trying to figure out what's wrong, and saved myself a little bit of money. She's worth every penny, as she is family, but I am a working mother and used every bit of savings on this.
It's been months since bringing her home and we still haven't been able to just let her "be" here. I love what cat adoption team does and their mission but I feel very uneasy about the fact that I had no idea I was adopting a very, very sick cat. If I had at least known-I could have wasted less having multiple vets trying to figure out what's wrong, and saved myself a little bit of money. She's worth every penny, as she is family, but I am a working mother and used every bit of savings on this.
Zachary Thomas
Aug 27, 2021
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Great experience. Kittens and cats are a first come first serve. I got Suellen from them a few days ago and she's such a great kitty. She is friendly nice and have had no issues with her. They take great care of the kitties here! If you're interested adopt and take home before someone else does! Thanks. Plus it is great that they come neutered spayed and upto date on all shots. They even gave her a blanket and some toys and a bag of great quality cat food.
You can really tell that they take really great care of the kitties here. I'm thankful for the experience and I'm thankful that they care more about the kitties than profit. They are trying to make a difference in the world for the kitties:
You can really tell that they take really great care of the kitties here. I'm thankful for the experience and I'm thankful that they care more about the kitties than profit. They are trying to make a difference in the world for the kitties:
Bink W.
Jul 04, 2021
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I've fostered for them for years and adopted my cats here. They take great care of their kitties and are an invaluable resource in the community.
