Can Cat Adoption Team Help Transport?

Cat Adoption Team provides transport services through their Nine Lives Transport volunteer program, which moves cats from partner shelters to CAT facilities for adoption. These volunteers use personal vehicles or CAT vans to complete both local and long-distance trips, requiring DMV checks and specialized training.

How CAT’s Transport System Works

The transport program at Cat Adoption Team operates as a lifeline between overcrowded shelters and adoption opportunities. Volunteers in this program pick up cats from partner organizations throughout Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, then deliver them to CAT’s Sherwood facility or retail partner locations.

The system relies on two main transport methods. Some volunteers use their personal vehicles for shorter trips within the Portland metro area. Others drive CAT’s dedicated transport vans for longer journeys, sometimes traveling overnight to bring cats from distant partner shelters. Each transport volunteer completes a DMV background check and receives training on safe animal handling, proper crate securing, and emergency protocols.

About 80% of cats available for adoption through CAT arrive via these transfer partnerships. The remaining cats come through individual rehoming situations or direct surrenders. This transfer model allows CAT to maintain its adoption guarantee while helping partner shelters in areas with fewer adoption resources.

Transport Volunteer Requirements

Becoming a transport volunteer involves more than just having a vehicle and loving cats. CAT requires volunteers to commit to at least 8 hours per month for a minimum of 6 months. This consistency ensures reliable transport schedules for partner organizations that depend on regular pickup times.

The application process starts with attending a volunteer orientation, followed by a placement interview. Transport volunteers must be at least 12 years old, though those under 16 need an adult guardian present during all shifts. The DMV check screens for safe driving records, and special training covers animal welfare during transport, stress reduction techniques for cats in carriers, and what to do if a cat becomes distressed during the journey.

Physical requirements matter too. Volunteers need to lift cat carriers, secure crates in vehicles, and potentially handle anxious or frightened animals. The work requires patience, attention to detail, and the ability to follow transport protocols exactly as trained.

What Happens During a Typical Transport

A transport run begins with coordination between CAT staff and the sending organization. The volunteer receives details about pickup time, location, the number of cats being transported, and any special needs individual cats might have. Each cat travels in a secure carrier with identification attached, along with medical records and intake paperwork.

For local transports within the Portland area, trips typically last 30 minutes to two hours. Volunteers might pick up cats from a county animal shelter in the morning and deliver them to CAT’s Sherwood location by early afternoon. The cats then enter CAT’s intake process, receiving veterinary examinations, vaccinations if needed, and behavioral assessments.

Long-distance transports work differently. These journeys can take 16 hours or more, with two volunteers alternating driving duties. The van setup accommodates up to 30 individual cats or 60 kittens housed two per carrier. Volunteers provide fresh water during rest stops, monitor each cat’s condition, and document the journey. Upon arrival at CAT, the unloading process follows strict protocols to prevent escapes and ensure accurate record-keeping.

The Nine Lives Transfer Partnership Network

CAT’s transport program connects with dozens of partner organizations across Oregon, Washington, and occasionally from other states. These partnerships target shelters in areas where adoption demand lags behind the number of incoming animals. Rural shelters often face this imbalance, while urban areas like Portland see higher adoption rates and more resources.

The partnership selection process considers several factors. CAT evaluates whether partner shelters provide basic veterinary care, proper housing conditions, and accurate health records. Only cats that are healthy, spayed or neutered, and up-to-date on core vaccinations qualify for transport. This standard protects both the transported cats and those already in CAT’s care.

Partner shelters appreciate the arrangement because it creates immediate space for new intakes. When CAT takes five cats from a small-town shelter, that shelter can accept five more from their community. The relationship works cyclically, with regular transport schedules allowing shelters to plan their capacity management.

Some partnerships extend beyond simple transport. CAT offers resources through their Fostering 4 Rock Stars program, sharing best practices with smaller organizations. This knowledge transfer helps partner shelters improve their own operations while maintaining the pipeline of cats needing adoption placement.

Costs and Logistics

Cat Adoption Team covers the financial costs of transport operations. The organization maintains and fuels the transport vans, provides carriers when needed, and handles insurance requirements. Partner shelters don’t pay transport fees, though some contribute through donations when able.

Volunteers donate their time but receive certain supports. CAT provides a t-shirt and photo ID badge for a $30 fee, with scholarships available for those facing financial hardship. The organization also covers liability insurance for volunteers working in official capacities. Personal vehicle expenses remain the volunteer’s responsibility, though some volunteers claim these as tax deductions through mileage tracking.

Transport scheduling requires coordination between multiple parties. CAT’s transport coordinator manages a calendar that balances volunteer availability, partner shelter needs, and CAT’s capacity to receive new cats. Peak kitten season from spring through fall sees increased transport frequency. Winter months typically slow down, though transports continue year-round.

Emergency transports happen occasionally. When a partner shelter faces an urgent overcrowding situation or CAT learns of cats in immediate danger, the transport team mobilizes quickly. These situations might involve weekend or evening pickups outside the regular schedule.

Benefits Beyond Individual Cats

The transport program creates ripple effects throughout the regional animal welfare network. Each successful transport reinforces partnerships, builds trust between organizations, and demonstrates collaborative lifesaving models. Other shelters observe CAT’s approach and develop similar programs in their areas.

From an adopter’s perspective, transport expands choices. Someone visiting CAT’s adoption center meets cats from various backgrounds and locations, increasing the likelihood of finding the right match. A cat transported from a rural Oregon shelter might be the perfect fit for a Portland family that would never have encountered that specific animal otherwise.

The data supports transport as a lifesaving strategy. In typical years, CAT’s transfer partners supply over 2,000 cats and kittens for adoption. These animals move from areas with euthanasia risk to a shelter with an adoption guarantee. The math is straightforward: more transports equal more lives saved.

Volunteers gain experience that extends beyond transport duties. Many transport volunteers eventually take on additional roles at CAT or start volunteering at their local shelters. The exposure to animal welfare operations, shelter management, and the realities of pet overpopulation often transforms casual volunteers into lifelong advocates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cat Adoption Team charge adopters for transport costs?

No. Adopters pay standard adoption fees regardless of whether their cat arrived through transport or local intake. CAT absorbs transport costs through donations and operational budgets rather than passing them to adopters.

Can volunteers transport cats in personal vehicles without using CAT vans?

Yes. Many transport volunteers use their own cars for local trips within the Portland metro area. Long-distance transports typically require CAT vans due to the number of cats and journey duration, but personal vehicle transport is common for shorter distances.

How often does CAT need transport volunteers?

Transport needs vary by season and partnership arrangements. CAT typically coordinates multiple transports per week during busy periods. New volunteers complete orientation and training before receiving their first assignment, with the coordinator matching assignments to volunteer availability.

What happens if a cat becomes sick during transport?

Transport volunteers receive training on recognizing distress signals and health emergencies. For serious concerns, volunteers contact CAT staff immediately and may divert to a veterinary clinic if needed. Each transport includes emergency contact information and protocols for various scenarios.

The transport program represents a practical solution to geographic mismatches in pet adoption supply and demand. By moving cats from areas with fewer resources to locations with strong adoption communities, CAT helps individual animals while strengthening the broader animal welfare network across the Pacific Northwest.

For those interested in this type of volunteer work, attending a CAT orientation provides the starting point. The commitment requires time and reliability, but transport volunteers consistently report high satisfaction from knowing their efforts directly result in cats finding permanent homes.