Cat Adoption Team

The Cat Adoption Team (CAT) was founded in May 1998 as a safe haven for unwanted and abandoned cats and kittens. In 2004, CAT incorporated as a public charity and was approved as a 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt organization.

Since the shelter opened, more than 30,000 cats and kittens have found a new lease on life through our carefully supervised adoption program. Those currently awaiting adoption receive daily care from a dedicated group of staff and volunteers.

CAT works closely with animal welfare organizations, animal control agencies, veterinary offices and other shelters to care for and rehome cats or kittens who may otherwise face euthanasia. We are a founding partner of the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland.

In February of 2002, CAT opened its on-site full-service veterinary hospital to help care for the increasing number of homeless cats and kittens that came into its care. In addition to providing care for CAT’s cats and kittens, the on-site hospital also offers low-cost spay/neuter surgeries.

CAT operates a nationally recognized kitten foster program through which as many as 1,000 mother cats and kittens are cared for each year until they are ready for adoption.

The CAT Thrift Store opened in October 2011 in the Raleigh Hills area in Southwest Portland. The Thrift Store resells donated quality items to raise funds to support CAT, and typically houses a cat available for adoption.

As a nonprofit organization, we rely entirely on charitable contributions and service fees.

Our mission is to save the lives of homeless, unwanted, sick, and injured cats and to work with our community to provide feline expertise and quality programs and services for people and cats.