PORTLAND (AP) – A cat owner from Portland filed a class-action lawsuit Friday against the Canadian manufacturer of recalled pet food suspected of causing death or sickness in dogs and cats throughout the country.

Mara Brazilian alleged in her U.S. District Court suit that the two Persian hybrid cats she acquired 15 years ago suffered severe kidney failure after consuming pouch food made by Menu Foods, a private-label supplier in Ontario.

Brazilian said the cats, Fred and Barney, ate the food in January and became ill within days. She alleged that Menu Foods waited too long – until early March – before announcing a nationwide recall.

Her suit seeks compensation for veterinary costs and for emotional pain and suffering to pet owners. Brazilian said she spent more than $1,200 on initial veterinary care and spends $200 to $300 a month on medication to keep her cats alive.

“Mara has a close bond with these cats, which makes this situation all the more tragic and heartbreaking for her and for others like her,” said her attorney, Michael Bosse. “The money spend on their care really is secondary to the emotional pain that Mara feels.”

The head of Menu Foods, Paul Henderson, said Friday that that pet owners would be compensated for vet bills and the deaths of any dogs and cats linked to his company’s products.

Other lawsuits have been filed elsewhere in connection with the tainted food.

Federal officials said Friday that the food contained melamine, a chemical used to make plastics. Scientists had previously identified a rat poison and cancer drug called aminopterin as the likely culprit.