Cat Adoption Team

What Cat Adoption Team does

Cat Adoption Team (CAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in May 1998 and headquartered in Sherwood, Oregon. It operates the largest cat-only animal shelter in the Pacific Northwest, having placed more than 68,000 cats and kittens into homes since opening. The organization runs adoption services from its main shelter, offsite PetSmart adoption centers, a network of 130+ foster families, a low-cost spay and neuter clinic, and a CAT Helpline for community support, with a Keeping Cats in Homes Fund (KCIH) providing financial assistance for community veterinary care. Specialized programs include neonatal kitten care (incubators and lockboxes funded by an Orphan Kitten Club grant), FIP and FeLV treatment programs, and a senior cat fund.

CAT's revenue model is a hybrid of earned and contributed income: modest adoption fees (e.g., $112.50 per kitten during Kitten Palooza, a 50% discounted rate), spay/neuter clinic fees, a monthly giving program (Meow Team, 350+ members), individual donations via Donorbox and direct mail, foundation grants (Petco Love, Orphan Kitten Club, Maddie's Fund), corporate sponsorships (Purina, Delap), signature event proceeds (Kitten Palooza, Kitten Baby Shower, CatVideoFest, annual galas, calendar raffles), and previously a 14-year retail thrift store that closed in June 2025. The organization relies on a community-led go-to-market approach combining social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube), email newsletters, a content blog, events, and partnerships such as the Willamette Week Give!Guide campaign and Buffalo Exchange Tokens for Bags.

Operationally, CAT employs 11-50 staff, is supported by 130+ foster families and a broader volunteer base, and is currently led by Executive Director Sarah Halfman following a 2025 leadership transition from longtime ED Karen Green. The organization's stated budget grew 130% over the past 12 years to over $5 million, with reserves reaching $5 million, and it was recognized on Oregon's 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For list for 9 of the last 12 years.

Name

Cat Adoption Team

Legal name

Cat Adoption Team

Website

https://catadoptionteam.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cat Adoption Team is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the largest cat-only shelter in the Pacific Northwest, delivering adoption, foster care, low-cost spay/neuter, and community veterinary support to homeless cats and kittens in the Portland metro area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

Keywords

• Cat adoption services
• Foster care program
• Spay neuter clinic
• Animal shelter operations
• Veterinary community services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sherwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals via website (Donorbox), mail, and monthly giving program (Meow Team with 350+ members). Annual operating budget increased 130% over 12 years under Karen Green leadership.
2. Adoption Fees: Fees collected from cat and kitten adoptions. Kitten adoption fee during Kitten Palooza is $112.50 (50% discount). Standard fees likely apply at other times.
3. Thrift Store (Closed June 2025): Retail thrift store operation for 13+ years selling donated goods. Closed June 28, 2025 due to inflation and market factors making net revenue insufficient to justify full retail operation.
4. Foundation Grants: Grants from organizations such as Petco Love ($25,000), Orphan Kitten Club ($5,250), and others. Also receives planned/legacy gifts from supporters.
5. Token Programs and Fundraising Events: Buffalo Exchange Tokens for Bags program directs 5-cent tokens to CAT. CatVideoFest ticket sales benefit CAT. Annual galas and calendar raffles generate additional revenue.
6. Spay/Neuter Clinic Fees: Low-cost spay/neuter and veterinary services to the community, generating fee revenue while fulfilling mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Cat Adoption Team (CAT) operates the largest cat-only animal shelter in the Pacific Northwest, placing homeless cats and kittens from its Sherwood, Oregon shelter, foster homes, and offsite adoption centers (including PetSmart locations) into permanent homes. It runs a volunteer foster network of 130+ families that care for more than 1,000 cats and kittens annually, and provides low-cost spay/neuter surgical services, a CAT Helpline, a Keeping Cats in Homes financial-assistance fund, and lost-and-found and rehoming support services for the community.

Product overview

Cat Adoption Team (CAT) operates as the Pacific Northwest's largest cat-only animal shelter, offering a comprehensive portfolio of feline welfare services. The core offerings include cat adoption placement services matching homeless cats with families, an extensive foster care program managing over 1,000 cats annually through volunteer homes, and low-cost spay/neuter surgical services. Additional programs include the CAT Helpline for community support, the Keeping Cats in Homes Fund providing veterinary financial assistance, Lost & Found cat reunification services, and Rehoming & Admissions intake processing. CAT runs signature events including the annual Kitten Palooza mega-adoption event and Kitten Baby Shower fundraising campaign. The organization maintains donor engagement through the Meow Team monthly giving program and previously operated a thrift store (closed 2025). Recent initiatives include Orphan Kitten Club grant-funded neonatal kitten incubators and lockboxes to expand foster care capacity. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CAT relies on individual donations, grants (Petco Love, Orphan Kitten Club), and community partnerships to fund operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Meow Team: CAT's monthly giving program started in 2009, providing steady lifesaving support for cats through consistent monthly donations from over 350 members.
• Keeping Cats in Homes Fund (KCIH)
• Kitten Palooza
• CATnap Week

Products and services

• Cat Adoption Adoption services that place cats and kittens from the Sherwood shelter, foster homes, and offsite PetSmart adoption centers into permanent homes. Trained adoption counselors help families select a cat likely to be a good fit.
• Foster Care Program Volunteer-based program in which 130+ trained foster families care for cats and kittens in their homes, including neonatal kittens (0-4 weeks), pregnant cats, medical cases, and socialization fosters, preparing them for adoption.
• Spay & Neuter Clinic Low-cost spay and neuter surgical services for community cats and kittens, part of CAT's feline health expertise and community population-management programs.
• CAT Helpline Resource hotline providing cat-related guidance to community members, including support for surrenders, behavioral questions, and emergency CAT Helpline requests.
• Keeping Cats in Homes Fund (KCIH) Fund that provides free or subsidized veterinary procedures (such as entropion correction) and support services to help owners keep their cats in their homes, preventing medical-cost-driven surrenders.
• Lost & Found Cats Resources and listings to help reunite lost cats with their owners, including coordination of Portland-area lost pet listings.
• Rehoming & Admissions Intake services that help owners safely surrender cats or find new homes for them, with structured processes for accepting cats into the shelter system.
• Kitten Palooza Annual mega-adoption event featuring 100+ kittens and adult cats over a full week, with discounted adoption fees and on-site adoption counseling. Sponsored by Petco Love, Purina, and Delap.
• Meow Team Monthly Giving Monthly recurring donation program with 350+ members providing steady operational funding for CAT's lifesaving work.
• Fostering 4 Rock Stars Recognition program that celebrates foster volunteer contributions to cat care, socialization, and adoption preparation.
• CAT Calendar Raffle Annual fundraising raffle where winners receive a professional pet photo session (Kathi Lamm) and a photo feature in CAT's annual calendar plus 5 calendar copies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 68,000+ cats and kittens adopted since 1998
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Willamette Week Give!GuidecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025CAT participates in Willamette Week's Give!Guide annual campaign (November-December), which highlights 275+ nonprofits making a difference in the Portland metro area. CAT featured alongside PAW Team, Basic Rights Oregon, and Northwest Family Services. 2x match for young donors.
• Nonprofit Professionals Now (NPN)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 June 2025NPN engaged by CAT's board of directors to conduct a nationwide search for a permanent executive director following Karen Green's departure. Leading the executive transition process.
• Buffalo ExchangeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025CAT selected as recipient of Buffalo Exchange Tokens for Bags program at Downtown Portland location through December 2025. Shoppers receive a 5-cent token to donate to local charities instead of single-use bags.
• CatVideoFestminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025CatVideoFest is a theatrical compilation of cat videos that raises money for cats in need through partnerships with local cat charities and animal welfare organizations. A portion of ticket sales supports CAT.
• PAW Team (Portland Animal Welfare)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAW Team provides veterinary care to pets of people experiencing houselessness or extreme poverty. Collaborated with CAT to provide free entropion surgery for client's cat Boots through CAT's Keeping Cats in Homes Fund. Both organizations are featured in Willamette Week's Give!Guide 2024.
• Oregon Children's TheatreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCAT partnered with Oregon Children's Theatre to celebrate pet adoption during the theatre's run of Cat Kid Comic Club musical. Collaborative community event to promote cat adoption.
• Annie Bloom's Books and Sweet Pickles DesignsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnie Bloom's Books and Sweet Pickles Designs partnered with CAT for GiveGuide activities and gifts, providing book and design-related incentives for donors.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Best Friends Animal Society: One of the largest no-kill animal welfare organizations in the U.S., operating sanctuaries and adoption programs nationwide. Comparable to CAT as a multi-program animal welfare nonprofit with adoption, foster, and medical services, but at much greater national scale and scope beyond cats.
• Alley Cat Allies: National advocacy organization focused on cats and community cat (TNR) programs. Comparable to CAT as a cat-specific nonprofit, though Alley Cat Allies focuses on advocacy and TNR training rather than direct shelter operations.
• ASPCA: National animal welfare organization providing adoption, rescue, and anti-cruelty services. Comparable to CAT as a large nonprofit operating shelter, adoption, and community support programs, though broader in species scope and geographic reach.
• Humane Society of the United States: National animal welfare advocacy and shelter support organization. Comparable to CAT as a major nonprofit in the animal welfare ecosystem with adoption, rescue, and community programs, though primarily policy/advocacy-focused rather than direct shelter operations.

Direct peers

• Tree House Humane Society: Chicago-based cat-only animal welfare organization operating adoption, rescue, and high-volume spay/neuter programs. Direct peer to CAT as one of the few major cat-only shelters in the U.S., with a comparable service portfolio including adoption, clinic, and community programs.
• PAW Team: Portland-based nonprofit providing free veterinary care to pets of people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Direct peer and active CAT collaborator (joint case on entropion surgery); comparable as a regional animal welfare nonprofit with veterinary services and community support programs.
• Oregon Humane Society: Largest adoption-focused animal shelter in the Portland metro region. Directly comparable to CAT as a regional shelter operator offering adoption, veterinary, and community services—though OHS serves multiple species while CAT specializes in cats.

Others

• PetSmart Charities: Leading funder of animal welfare in North America, supporting adoption, spay/neuter, and pet retention programs. Comparable as an ecosystem enabler; CAT runs offsite adoption centers at PetSmart locations, making PetSmart Charities a relevant counterpart in the shelter-funding ecosystem.
• Maddie's Fund: National family foundation funding innovative animal welfare and community lifesaving programs. Comparable as a CAT supporter and ecosystem partner; while not a direct operating peer, Maddie's Fund drives the funding environment in which shelters like CAT operate and scale.
• Petco Love: National nonprofit investing in animal welfare organizations through grants and adoption initiatives. Comparable as a CAT funder and partner; relevant peer given Petco Love awarded CAT a $25,000 lifesaving grant in February 2025 and shapes national shelter funding priorities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CatAdoptionTeam
• Facebookfacebook.com/CatAdoptionTeam
• Instagraminstagram.com/catadoptpdx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cat-adoption-team

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cat Adoption Team