Where Cats Can Be Cats
Cats in the City • Feline-only boarding
Boarding should not interrupt a cat’s nervous system. It should support it. At Cats in the City, our Portland cat boarding environments are built around what cats actually need: vertical territory, private space, safe outdoor stimulation, and structured enrichment.
This is not warehouse boarding. It is feline-first architecture.
Every cat boards in their own private suite. No shared airspace chaos. No cross-species stress. From elevated perches to enclosed catios, cats can climb, observe, stretch, rest at height, and regulate from a safe vantage point.
Fresh air matters. Sunlight matters. Watching the world from behind secure mesh matters. Our enclosed catios give cats safe outdoor enrichment without exposure to risk—stimulation without stress.
Enrichment is intentional: play, explore, observe, recover. Cats engage at their own pace and can return to rest without being pushed into overstimulation.
Multi-cat households don’t have to be separated. Bonded cats from the same family can board together in shared suites when appropriate, reducing stress and preserving continuity from home.
Fresh air and sunlight are meaningful enrichment. Our enclosed catios give cats a safe way to climb, watch birds, and engage their senses—without exposure to risk.
Not every cat wants high energy. Many want nesting, warm light, and quiet observation. That’s not “boring.” That’s regulation.
When siblings rest side-by-side, groom one another, or watch the room together, stress drops. We honor the social structures cats already live in.
A curious cat exploring the play room is a cat who feels safe enough to engage. We balance activity with recovery so cats can play, then settle.
From kitten catnip playtime to climbing and exploration, enrichment is offered in ways that support regulation—not frenzy.
The goal of boarding isn’t to entertain a cat. It’s to protect their nervous system. What you want to see is confidence: relaxed posture, open rest, quiet observation, choice.
Cats in the City is feline-only. Our team is trained to notice coat condition, hydration cues, body condition changes, and behavior shifts. Whether your cat is young and playful or older and medically complex, our Portland cat boarding model is built for calm monitoring, cleanliness, and stability. Boarding done right is not loud. It is deliberate.
Begin your boarding request here. Each submission is reviewed personally by our team.
Submit Boarding RequestCats in the City • Boarding Rooms
Our Portland cat boarding rooms are designed around feline needs: private territory, vertical movement, choice-based enrichment, and calm regulation. Each space is intentionally built so cats can climb, observe, retreat, stretch out, and rest without pressure.
Cats are not mixed. Shared spaces are elective enrichment only. Bonded family cats can board together in larger rooms.
Sellwood offers private suites plus large family rooms for bonded cats from the same household. Expect bright windows, vertical climbing systems, and calm open floor space for ground dwellers.
A true family suite: approximately 14×14 of private territory for up to six cats from the same household. Built for choice—vertical climbing gyms and towers for high-perchers, plus generous open floor space for cats who prefer ground-level lounging. Fresh-air windows and direct access to a private enclosed garden catio create outdoor stimulation without exposure to risk.
Secure, sunshine, and neighborhood sounds—offered as enrichment, not pressure. Cats can watch birds, scent the air, and settle into the rhythm of outdoor stimulation while remaining fully protected.
Huge, bright, and built for regulation. This room supports both athletic cats and cautious cats: a wall gym and stairs for confident climbers, plus cubbies and retreat options for cats who prefer to observe first. Bonded family cats can board together in one continuous shared territory—no separation stress.
A calming, sunlit suite with a wall of windows, vertical ramps, and open floor space for cats who prefer a grounded routine. This room is ideal for cats who want clean lines: perch, retreat, lounge, repeat.
Full-size private rooms available at both locations. Studio suites include vertical climbing options, open floor space, glass doors and windows for natural light, and a dedicated hiding cubby for cats who like a private reset.
Tabor offers a range of private rooms and specialty environments—high verticality for climbers, window-heavy suites for social observers, and catio-linked rooms for controlled outdoor stimulation.
A large family suite designed for bonded cats to remain together. Expect windows, towers, hiding places, and a wall gym that supports climbing, observation, and decompression. It’s space that lets cats distribute themselves naturally rather than competing for one spot.
For cats who love visual engagement, the Aquarium Room offers built-in fish entertainment plus a private enclosed catio. It’s steady sensory stimulation—quiet, continuous, and surprisingly regulating for many cats.
This private catio is dedicated to that room—secure, enclosed, and designed for safe sunlight, fresh air, and neighborhood sound enrichment without exposure to risk.
A wall of windows, open floors, vertical space, and a glass door—this room is ideal for cats who like to watch everything. It’s especially good for social, curious cats who prefer to stay connected to the environment rather than hide away.
Designed for climbers and explorers: vertical walkways, stair transitions, wall-mounted shelves, enrichment stations, and multi-level engagement options. This room supports safe physical activity in a fully supervised, feline-only environment.
A large, comfort-forward room with bright windows, a cabin-style bed, climbing tower, and hiding cubby. It’s designed for cats who want both warmth and retreat—lounge when they feel open, tuck away when they don’t.
We maintain multiple secure common catios where cats can rotate for sunshine, fresh air, and the sounds of nature. These are elective enrichment experiences—no cat is forced. Some cats love it. Some prefer indoor stability. Both are respected.
A secure outdoor retreat where cats can observe the neighborhood, scent the air, and decompress through nature-based stimulation. Offered intentionally, in a way that supports regulation—not overwhelm.
Toys, towers, and the best kind of cat television: birds and squirrels outside. For cats who enjoy it, this can be deeply regulating—quiet attention, natural rhythm, and safe outdoor sensory input.
We built redundancy on purpose. Different cats prefer different textures of space—more open, more covered, more climb, more lounge. Choice is the point.
Some rooms include a dedicated private catio. That means outdoor access without schedule rotation— a stable extension of the cat’s private territory.
Cats in the City • Portland
Submit your request and we’ll review it personally. Calm monitoring, private suites, feline-only care.
Both locations are feline-only and structured. Medical monitoring level differs—use this to route to the correct place fast.
Overnight staff on campus. Diabetic boarding and the highest-need medical cases are supported here.
Great fit for many cats with stable needs who benefit from a quiet, feline-only environment.
Condition-specific guides that explain what we monitor, what to prepare, and where your cat should board.
Diabetic boarding and highest-acuity cases are supported at Sellwood with staff on campus overnight.
Cancellations
We charge by the day, billing for each day a reservation includes, with no credits or refunds for early returns. The minimum boarding fee is equivalent to three days at the reserved room rate (even if your stay is shorter).
A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the estimated boarding fees will be charged to the provided credit card upon acceptance. Remaining estimated fees are billed at check-in; upgrades and incidentals are billed at check-out.
No-shows must pay the full amount for the entire scheduled reservation.
Listed Holiday Dates: Reservations that include a Listed Holiday Date require a 75% non-refundable deposit, have a minimum fee equivalent to five days, and incur a $75 flat Holiday Fee per room.
Use the map below for directions and quick access to Sellwood boarding.
2036 SE Tacoma St, Portland, OR 97202
Directions and quick access for Portland cat boarding near Mt Tabor.
415 NE 80th Ave, Portland, OR 97213
Cats in the City boarding is structured around regulation, observation, medical reality, emotional state, and the practical needs of each individual cat.
Rather than using a one-size-fits-all boarding model, care plans are organized around the level of support, coordination, monitoring, communication, and intervention your cat may require during their stay. Some cats need quiet routine and daily observation. Others may require medication administration, diabetic management, post-I-131 handling protocols, increased communication, transitional support, or higher-frequency monitoring.
Each plan below outlines the types of support included, who the plan is best suited for, and when a higher level of care may be recommended. Care plans are always adjusted based on real-time presentation, safety, medical needs, and how your cat is settling during boarding.
Included for all boarding cats
CITC Care is the foundation of every boarding stay, supporting cats with routine daily care, stable intake, and standard observation in a controlled, low-stress environment.
No medication or treatment needs
Stable appetite and intake at home
Settles with routine boarding support
Short or routine boarding stays
Private, climate-controlled boarding space
Daily feeding and fresh water
Litter box and room maintenance
Daily interaction and observation
Access to enrichment spaces when appropriate
Text or email updates
Photos when appropriate
Care adjusted to your cat’s response
Medication administration
Special diet or meal preparation
Appetite or intake monitoring
Mobility or comfort support
Increased communication or reassurance
Diabetic, post-iodine, or structured medical care
Care Note: CITC Care provides standard boarding support for all cats. When additional medical, feeding, or monitoring needs are present, care is adjusted through a higher or more specialized care plan to maintain safety and consistency.
CITC Care includes routine daily observation, low-stress handling, feeding according to your cat’s home routine, clean suite maintenance, and care adjustments based on how your cat is settling during the stay.
Emergency Protocol: In the event of a medical concern, your cat’s immediate care is prioritized. We will stabilize, notify you as soon as possible, and coordinate veterinary care when needed. Emergency transport and veterinary services remain the guardian’s responsibility.
$40 per cat, per day + base boarding rate
Managed Care supports cats who require medication, feeding coordination, or increased observation during boarding. This care level provides structured support while adapting to your cat’s condition and daily response.
Oral, topical, or ear medications
Prescription or specialized diets
Appetite, intake, or behavior monitoring
Stable medical conditions
Mild mobility or comfort concerns
Cats benefiting from structured daily care
Private, climate-controlled boarding space
Feeding based on your cat’s routine
Food intake and appetite tracking
Special diet preparation
Daily litter box and room maintenance
Daily observation and wellness checks
Medication administration
Low-stress handling and adaptive care
Text or email updates
Photos when appropriate
Subcutaneous fluids
Manual or supported feeding
Wound care or intensive monitoring
Veterinary coordination or transport
Diabetic care or glucose monitoring
After-hours medication or contact needs
Care Note: Managed Care is appropriate for stable cats requiring structured support. Cats needing diabetic care, post-iodine protocols, intensive monitoring, or high-frequency intervention may require a higher or specialized care plan.
Managed Care provides medication support, feeding coordination, increased observation, and adaptive daily care for cats whose needs go beyond routine boarding but remain stable enough for structured non-intensive support.
Emergency Protocol: In the event of a medical concern, your cat’s immediate care is prioritized. We will stabilize, notify you as soon as possible, and coordinate veterinary care when needed. Emergency transport and veterinary services are the guardian’s responsibility.
$40 per cat, per day + base boarding rate
Displacement & Long-Term Care supports cats experiencing extended stays, environmental disruption, or transitional conditions. This care level provides structure, predictability, and supportive coordination during periods of change.
Extended or long-term boarding stays
Home repairs, displacement, or environmental disruption
Caregiver transitions or household instability
Cats benefiting from routine and predictability
Situations requiring increased coordination
Guardians needing ongoing communication and support
Private, climate-controlled boarding space
Feeding based on your cat’s routine
Support for multi-step meal preparation
Daily litter box and room maintenance
Daily observation and comfort checks
Calm handling and transition support
Text or email updates
Photos when appropriate
Access to enrichment spaces when appropriate
Expanded coordination for longer stays
Light brushing and nail trim when tolerated
Supportive communication during transition
Medication administration
Subcutaneous fluids
Manual or supported feeding
Veterinary coordination or transport
Documentation or claims support
After-hours communication or care needs
Care Note: This plan is appropriate for extended or transitional stays requiring increased coordination, communication, and routine support. Cats needing medication administration, diabetic care, post-iodine protocols, or intensive monitoring may require a higher or more specialized care plan.
Displacement & Long-Term Care is designed to support cats experiencing environmental disruption, housing transitions, extended travel, or other periods of instability where predictability and continuity of care become especially important.
Emergency Protocol: In the event of a medical concern, your cat’s immediate care is prioritized. We will stabilize, notify you as soon as possible, and coordinate veterinary care when needed. Emergency transport and veterinary services are the guardian’s responsibility.
$60 per cat, per day + base boarding rate
Close Contact Care supports cats and guardians who benefit from increased communication, visibility, and engagement during boarding. This care level provides expanded updates, reassurance, and interaction based on your cat’s response and adjustment during the stay.
Increased communication preference
Cats benefiting from additional interaction
Extended or longer stays
Strong guardian-cat attachment
Situations requiring reassurance and visibility
Cats responsive to structured engagement
Private, climate-controlled boarding space
Expanded updates via text or email
Photos when appropriate
Increased interaction and observation
Additional enrichment or quiet engagement
Access to enrichment spaces when appropriate
Support for multi-step meal preparation
Daily feeding, fresh water, and litter care
Observation of behavior, comfort, and adjustment
Ongoing communication during the stay
Medication administration
Manual or supported feeding
Subcutaneous fluids
Veterinary coordination or transport
Grooming services
After-hours communication or care needs
Care Note: Close Contact Care is designed for guardians and cats who benefit from increased communication, visibility, and structured engagement during boarding. Cats requiring medication administration, diabetic care, post-iodine protocols, or intensive medical monitoring may require a higher or more specialized care plan.
This care level supports cats who benefit from additional reassurance, interaction, transition support, or ongoing guardian communication during extended or emotionally significant stays.
Emergency Protocol: In the event of a medical concern, your cat’s care is prioritized. We will stabilize, notify you as soon as possible, and coordinate veterinary care when needed. Emergency transport and veterinary services are the guardian’s responsibility.
$125 per cat, per day + base boarding rate
Diabetic Care supports cats requiring insulin, glucose monitoring, and coordinated feeding during boarding. This care level prioritizes consistency, low-stress handling, and safety-focused diabetic management based on real-time response.
Insulin administration during boarding
Glucose monitoring requirements
Feeding schedules tied to insulin timing
Appetite and intake variability
Diabetes-related comfort or mobility concerns
Need for structured documentation and oversight
Private, climate-controlled boarding space
Insulin administration per veterinary guidance
Glucose checks as indicated
Feeding coordinated with insulin timing
Food intake and appetite monitoring
Hydration observation
Daily litter box and room maintenance
Monitoring of behavior, mobility, and presentation
Low-stress handling to reduce variability
Treatment and observation documentation
Text or email updates
Photos when appropriate
Additional non-diabetic medications
Manual or supported feeding
Subcutaneous fluids
Veterinary coordination or transport
After-hours insulin or monitoring needs
Intensive support for unstable presentation
Care Note: Diabetic Care is responsive and safety-driven. Insulin, feeding, and monitoring are adjusted based on appetite, glucose trends, behavior, and veterinary guidance.
This care level is designed for cats requiring structured diabetic support, coordinated feeding, observation, and low-stress consistency throughout the boarding stay.
Emergency Protocol: In the event of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or other urgent concerns, your cat’s care is prioritized. We will stabilize, notify you as soon as possible, and coordinate veterinary care when needed. Emergency transport and veterinary services are the guardian’s responsibility.
$75 per cat, per day + base boarding rate
Post-Iodine Therapy Care supports cats recovering from I-131 treatment through structured handling, controlled waste management, environmental stability, and low-stress observation during the recovery period.
Post I-131 recovery period
Handling precautions required
Specialized litter and waste management
Monitoring following thyroid treatment
Stable post-treatment condition
Transition off methimazole after therapy
Private, climate-controlled boarding space
Post-treatment handling protocols
Specialized litter and waste management
Feeding based on your cat’s routine
Support for prescription or structured diets
Daily observation and comfort checks
Monitoring of appetite, behavior, and adjustment
Low-stress handling and reduced stimulation
Text or email updates
Photos when appropriate
Medication administration when applicable
Enrichment access when appropriate and safe
Subcutaneous fluids
Manual or supported feeding
Veterinary coordination or transport
Additional non-related medications
Grooming after restriction period
After-hours communication or care needs
Care Note: This plan is designed specifically for cats recovering from I-131 therapy who require structured handling precautions, waste management protocols, and low-stress observation during the transition period following treatment.
Care is adapted based on your cat’s appetite, comfort, adjustment, elimination patterns, and post-treatment presentation. Cats requiring diabetic management, intensive medical monitoring, unstable medical support, or advanced intervention may require a different or higher care plan.
Emergency Protocol: In the event of a medical concern, your cat’s care is prioritized. We will stabilize, notify you as soon as possible, and coordinate veterinary care when needed. Emergency transport and veterinary services are the guardian’s responsibility.
Many cats require combinations of medical, behavioral, feeding, mobility, transition, or communication support that do not fit neatly into a single care category. If your cat has a specialized care need not listed above, our team may still be able to help. Explore our Medical & Special Needs Boarding page to learn more about advanced support options, structured medical coordination, and complex feline care through the TANDEM Cat® boarding model.
Most boarding facilities offer a room, food, and litter maintenance. At Cats in the City, we offer an entirely different model—one centered around individualized feline wellness, medical awareness, and emotional care.
This isn’t warehousing. This is Better Care for Cats™.
At Cats in the City our top priority is the health of the cats in our care. We track and record all food and water consumed, and all liquid and solid waste eliminated. We measure hydration levels, monitor weight when needed, and we test blood sugar levels when appropriate. In real time this data allows us to respond, adapt, and meet the complex physical and emotional needs of cats boarding with us.
OUR PLEDGE TO YOU AND YOUR CAT:
All our rooms are big. The real question is: Do you want big, bigger or biggest? Each facility averages 4,000 square feet with about 30 rooms.
Our cat hotels are clean and comfortable. Every room has hospital-grade flooring and is ventilated with clean fresh air, central heating, and cooling.
Our boarding facilities are clean and designed for cats. Our expert team has extensive training in cat behavior and handling.
Our Human-to-Cat Ratio is one great team member for every 7-10 rooms. We’re also qualified to care for cats with medical needs, and we have animal technicians and a behaviorist on staff.
We use our collective professional experience during the grooming process to adapt and modify grooming procedures prioritizing safety, temperament, and ability of the individual cat before us.
We’re not a cat warehouse. Cats are given the opportunity to be in the playrooms, community rooms, and catios, as well as lots of personalized loving care and attention.
At Cats in the City, we prioritize your cat’s well-being by maintaining an environment that is not only clean and comfortable but also health-promoting. Our commitment to superior air quality and temperature control ensures that your feline friend enjoys their stay to the fullest. Here’s how we achieve this:
Our cat hotels are designed with your pet’s comfort in mind. Each room features:
To further enhance the air quality in our cat hotels, we use the iWave Air Purifier. This innovative system provides several benefits:
Portland cats come with real routines, real sensitivities, and real histories. Cats in the City provides feline-only cat boarding and grooming designed for calm, consistency, and individualized care—serving families across Southeast Portland, Mt Tabor, Sellwood, and nearby neighborhoods.
Some cats arrive ready to explore. Others need a quieter pace, more predictable handling, or extra support around eating, medication, or transitions. Our low-density model makes room for different nervous systems—not just different booking dates.
We frequently support families during transitions—moves, remodels, medical events, new work travel, or a newly adopted cat learning a new household rhythm. In these moments, boarding isn’t just “a place to stay”—it’s a regulated environment where cats can feel safe.
If you’re looking for Portland cat boarding that prioritizes calm over crowds, Cats in the City is built around low density, predictable routines, and feline-only care.
Use the links below to explore TANDEM Cat® authority pages, skin and coat care, transitional care, boarding, nervous-system-based boarding, medical and special needs boarding, TANDEM Cat® grooming, and location-specific cat grooming pages.
Cats in the City Home
TANDEM Cat® Authority Library
Cat Skin & Coat Care
TANDEM Cat® Transitional Care Model
New Level of Cat Care & Boarding
Boarding Built for the Nervous System
Medical & Special Needs Boarding
TANDEM Cat® Grooming
Powell Location
Beaverton Location
At Cats in the City, your cherished feline will find a dedicated haven, designed exclusively for their contentment and care. Our expansive facilities include personalized ‘apartments’, offering many options to suit your cat’s preference for space and solitude.
Health is our top priority; we meticulously record all consumption and elimination, ensuring real-time responses to your cat’s needs. Our cat boarding services also provide:
Our facilities prioritize cleanliness and comfort with hospital-grade flooring and optimal ventilation. And with an attentive staff-to-cat ratio, every feline receives the personalized attention they deserve.
Book now to reserve your cat’s new favorite spot!
Cats in the City Serves all of the Metro Portland Area, with 2 locations dedicated specifically to Cat Boarding.
Preview our locations, view the specialized Suites in each location, and learn more about how Cats in the City is Better Care for Cats!
We measure our love of cats by how much we are loved by them.
Have questions or need to arrange care for your feline friend? We’re here to help! Reach out to us for any inquiries or to schedule our services.
For more immediate assistance, feel free to call us. We look forward to hearing from you and providing the best care for your cat!
CONTACT INFO
