You can use it for flower beds, yard work.
If you are really concerned, just don't use it for anything you'll eat.
If the cat litter is broke down, that would not concern me though. Ammonia is not going to hurt, if it's that old, it's nitrogen by now.
Try a small amount raked into the yard/ flower bed, see what it does.
One more clue, If it has earth worms in it, it's probably good.

If its been sitting for as long as you say, it needs a good turning over. You were right in picking out the matter that wont break down--wood should not be given to a compost pile, it takes far too long to effect breakdown.

If you understand what a compost is for and if you have goodly amount of it, its great to encourage grass to grow, plants to thrive from all that nourishment.

But turn it over, and maybe keep some for added decomposition of matter you will add to it.
You are fortunate that the previous owner thought of having the pile and now you have a good reason to keep it up.

Thanks for the replies. I did turn the pile over quite thoroughly and that's how I discovered the litter, trash and what not. There were a few earthworms in there, not a ton. I'll try using it on some flower beds and the lawn, and then maybe give away the rest on craigslist and just start over with a new compost bin. Anyone in the Portland area interested in some compost? There's a small mountain of it. :)

Are you kidding? Are you teasing me? Are you being cruel? Are you pulling my leg? Yanking my chain? Pulling the wool over my eyes? Making fun?

Don't give that compost away. If you're truly worried about its contents, and can afford it, send a sample off and get a soil test done on it. I had the compost I get from a nearby town tested, with an additional test for lead, and the results were great. I think I only paid $12 at the University Extension Service, but it was about 6 years ago, so it may be more now.

I would use the compost liberally throughout my yard, maybe keeping it from edibles (if I didn't have it tested). I would not give one teensy crumb of it away.
Unless.
You know, I just thought of this...the shipping would be outrageous, but I do run a modest, little compost testing facility here and I'd be happy to check it out for you.

That's a great idea, annpat, I hadn't thought of doing a soil test. My mom has a kit, maybe I'll ask her if I can use it. The only reason I was thinking of getting rid of it and starting over is because there's just so much of it, and I mostly grow veggies and don't want to accidentally ruin a whole season's worth of food. But if I get it tested and it turns out ok then I won't have to worry. Thanks!

I'd be screening it and spreading it 1/2 to 1" deep on the lawn if I had that much. What could they actually have put in there that would be so bad? I mean if you found old car batteries, pesticide containers, or large areas soaked with used motor oil or something like that, I'd start to worry, but if all you found is some clay kitty litter and a few bits of trash, I can't imagine it would hurt the lawn and flower beds more than it helps.

I'm feeling a little guilty. When I said that you could send it here for testing, kittn, I was just trying to rip you off of what is probably beautiful compost. It's true. I feel bad now. The date made me do it.

"I'm feeling a little guilty. When I said that you could send it here for testing, kittn, I was just trying to rip you off of what is probably beautiful compost. It's true."

But.....

pdxkittn you'd be surprised how easily a small mountain of 2 year old compost can get used up. Do as toxcrusadr said and spread about an inch out on the lawn. After a few rains make it disappear, just do it again. By the way, just how big is that small mountain?

annpat The date made me do it. You did it yesterday.
And, oh by the way, so now you fess up and say it's just a ripoff to get compost tested by you. And here I aged some primo stuff for a whole year just to get my fish scale glitter certificate. Well, you can forget it now.

tj

tj---the certificate is real. (The glitter this testing season is from a landlocked salmon.)
You see, the April Fool was me saying that it was a rip-off.

April Fool!!

You need my address?

Salmon, eh? Hmmmmm...

Wait a minute... why do I think it's either sockeye or cutthroat salmon?

tj

tj, I've got Togue---if you'd rather.

Cutthroat salmon! I've never heard of that. I don't think we have that here. All we have here in Maine is Honest Adam Salmon.

You're filling out your form, aren't you?