Resources & Support
Whether you're preparing, grieving, or honoring your cat's memory, these resources are here for you. You are not alone in this.
Clinical Support
Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital
Portland's 24-hour emergency animal hospital. If your cat needs urgent medical care outside of regular hours, Dove Lewis is always open.
dovelewis.org →Cat Hospital of Portland
A feline-exclusive veterinary practice dedicated to the health and wellbeing of cats. Specialists who understand feline medicine.
cathospitalofportland.com →Oregon Veterinary Medical Association
Find a veterinarian in Oregon. A trusted directory for locating qualified veterinary care throughout the state.
oregonvma.org →Grief Support
Grief after losing a cat is real and valid. The space they leave behind is felt in every quiet room, every empty window seat. You don't have to navigate this alone.
Enid Traisman
A renowned pet loss counselor based in Portland and author of widely respected grief support resources. Her compassionate approach has guided countless families through the loss of a beloved companion.
petlossresources.com →Dove Lewis Pet Loss Support
Dove Lewis offers a dedicated pet loss support program, including support groups and resources for families grieving the loss of an animal companion.
dovelewis.org →Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
Online support groups and resources for anyone grieving the loss of a pet. A compassionate community that understands what you're going through.
aplb.org →Local Portland Groups
Portland has a compassionate community of pet loss support groups that meet regularly. If you'd like a personal recommendation, please reach out to us -- we're happy to connect you with a group that feels right.
Memorial Gardens
Some families find solace in planting something living in their cat's memory -- a fern that unfurls in spring, a patch of moss that softens with rain. The Pacific Northwest offers a lush palette for honoring a companion through the natural world.
Portland Nursery
A Portland institution with a deep selection of shade-loving plants, ferns, and native species perfect for a memorial garden in the Pacific Northwest.
portlandnursery.com →One Green World
Specializing in unique and unusual plants, One Green World offers distinctive options for a memorial planting that feels as singular as the cat it honors.
onegreenworld.com →A note on cat-safe plants: If other cats share your home, choose non-toxic plants for your memorial garden. Ferns, mosses, and many shade-loving PNW natives are safe choices. Your local nursery can help you select plants that honor your cat's memory while keeping your other companions safe.
Understanding Quality of Life
Wondering if it's time is one of the hardest questions a cat's family will face. There is no perfect answer -- but noticing the signs is an act of love, not a failure.
Changes to Watch For
- • Appetite changes -- turning away from food they once loved, or eating significantly less than before.
- • Hiding behavior -- spending more time in closets, under beds, or away from the family. Cats instinctively withdraw when they're not feeling well.
- • Mobility issues -- no longer jumping to favorite spots, difficulty with stairs, reluctance to move.
- • Pain indicators -- cats hide pain differently than dogs. Watch for squinting, hunched posture, reluctance to be touched, changes in grooming habits, or a sudden stillness that wasn't there before.
When to Reach Out
If you're wondering whether it's time, that's reason enough to call. You don't need to be certain. You don't need to have all the answers. That wondering itself is a sign of how deeply you care.
Cats are masters at masking discomfort. By the time changes become obvious to us, they may have been managing for days or weeks. Trusting what you notice -- even subtle shifts -- is honoring the bond you share.
A quality of life consultation is not a commitment to any outcome. It's a conversation -- an opportunity to understand how your cat is feeling and what options exist to keep them comfortable.
Whatever stage you're in -- preparing, deciding, grieving, or simply wondering -- we're here. No question is too small.
We're Here When You're Ready