Pet-Friendly Senior Living in Portland

A lot of cities are pet-friendly, but Portland, Oregon takes the concept to a whole other level. Locally baked artisanal dog treats made with local craft-brew ingredients, an indoor dog park to protect pooches from the weather, and a planned cat lounge are just some of the ways Portland stands out as a great place for pet-friendly senior living.

Portland shopping with (four-legged) friends

Forbes lists Portland among its dog-friendliest cities, thanks to its large number of dog parks, walking and hiking trails, and pet-friendly merchants and markets. Well-mannered mutts are also welcome at the Portland Saturday Market at North Waterfront Park from March through December. Among the food, gift, and clothing vendors are several that cater to pets.

Portland Pet Supply earns consistent rave reviews from locals for its extensive selection of local and national premium pet brands. Free samples, special orders by request, and expert diet recommendations are part of the appeal. The family-run business has a reputation for great customer service, too.

Dog owners who’d rather order in can get delivery from Portland Pet Food Company, which turns out gluten- and wheat-free small batch dog foods as well as tasty biscuits made from local craft brewer’s spent grains. All Portland Pet Food Company products are free of GMOs, artificial colors, and preservatives.

All-weather pet activities in Portland

The City of Portland runs 9 fenced off-leash areas for dogs at various parks around town. More than a dozen other parks have unfenced off-leash areas for dogs that will reliably come back on command. For days when the weather is just too wet or cold for a romp in the park, Fido’s Indoor Dog Park provides a climate-controlled and clean place for dogs to run, fetch, lounge, and even swim in the indoor pool. Coffee for people and grooming stations for pets are part of the appeal. Fido’s offers yearly, monthly, and daily rates.

Cat lovers will soon have a place to unwind, too. Purrington’s Cat Lounge is scheduled to open in early 2015 and promises to offer a cozy place for human guests to dine and hang out with screened shelter cats that will be available for adoption.

Special pet events in Portland

Two of Portland’s biggest pet events are the Rose City Classic dog show series each January and the Portland Pet Expo every fall. Rose City Classic is among the country’s biggest dog shows, featuring more than 175 breeds in individual, group, and all-breed events, a Puppy Spectacular, shopping, art, and other treats. The Pet Expo offers discounted vaccinations and microchipping for pets, book readings, mini-seminars on pet care and training, and adoption opportunities.

Pet-friendly Portland senior communities

In keeping with Portland’s pet-friendly vibe, seniors have lots of pet-friendly living options. Dozens of independent living complexes, like The Bedford in nearby Vancouver, welcome pets, and a multitude assisted living communities in Portland do the same, making it easy for seniors and their pets to enjoy life in this Oregon city.

Learn more about Portland Senior Living here:

Portland Assisted Living

Portland Nursing Homes

Portland Alzheimer’s Care

Best of Portland Senior Living

How Much Does Portland Assisted Living Cost?

How Much Do Portland Nursing Homes Cost?

Visit SeniorAdvisor.com to find more assisted living in Portland.

Casey Kelly-Barton

Casey Kelly-Barton is an Austin-based freelance writer whose childhood was made awesome by her grandmothers, great-grandmother, great-aunts and -uncles, and their friends.