Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in Santa Barbara
American Shorthairs fit easily into Santa Barbara's Westside, where duplexes and apartments sit a short walk from the beach. These easygoing cats are happy with a window perch and a little daily play, so a smaller rental works well. Their appetite means they gain weight if they get bored, so wand toys at dusk and a tall cat tree matter. In a mild town where windows stay open most of the year, secure screens are worth installing.
Adopt an American Shorthair today
While we don't have enough cats near Santa Barbara, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 11 mo., 289 miles
American Shorthair
F, 3 y., 293 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 296 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 296 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 296 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 296 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 296 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 296 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 296 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 296 miles
American Shorthair
The American Shorthair descends from working cats that traveled with early settlers to guard cargo, then patrolled barns and farms across North America. The breed was pedigreed in the early twentieth century and renamed in the 1960s. It is a solid, muscular, medium-sized cat with a broad face, full cheeks and a thick, hard-textured coat. The silver tabby is the classic look, but the breed comes in dozens of colors.
Many American Shorthairs are quiet, adaptable and affectionate without being clingy, and they usually get along with children and other pets. Many shorthaired cats are random-bred domestic shorthairs with a similar build and easy manner, so adopters may meet cats with the same traits under either name. Each cat has its own history and personality, so spend time with a cat before deciding.
Having an American Shorthair in Santa Barbara
Calm, sturdy and food-motivated, the American Shorthair is a low-drama housemate that still needs daily play. In Santa Barbara, apartment living, mild weather and the occasional wildfire smoke day shape how you set up windows, play and indoor routines.
American Shorthairs are usually even-tempered and friendly, happy to share a couch without demanding constant attention. That often suits Santa Barbara's working households, since many of these cats manage a day alone calmly. Introduce children and other pets gradually. A cat's history and socialization matter as much as breed, so spend time with a cat before deciding.
Aim for two or three short play sessions a day with wand toys, chase games and food puzzles, ideally around dusk when hunting instincts peak. Window perches overlooking a street or garden add stimulation. Mild weather makes open windows easy, but keep play indoors or in an enclosed catio.
Generally robust, the breed's biggest preventable risk is obesity, which raises the odds of diabetes and arthritis. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease have been reported, so a veterinarian can check the heart and kidneys at a first exam. Measure meals, plan for dental care, and during the long dry season watch for grass seeds after any time on a catio or yard.
American Shorthairs adapt to apartments, duplexes and houses alike, as long as there are scratching posts, perches and hiding spots. In compact Santa Barbara rentals, a tall cat tree and a sunny window seat do more than extra square footage. Secure windows and balconies, and keep the cat indoors or in an enclosed catio.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Pet insurance | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $450 to $1,150 per year | $450 to $1,150 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,200 to $2,700 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Cat litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratching posts and other supplies, and simple brushing at home for a short coat.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have American Shorthairs available.
Santa Barbara's shelters and rescues, clustered along Overpass Road west of downtown, take in cats and dogs of all ages. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Santa Barbara area where you can find American Shorthairs and other cats available for adoption.
5399 Overpass Road, Santa Barbara
5473 Overpass Rd, Santa Barbara
PO Box 3852, Santa Barbara
5473 Overpass Road, Santa Barbara
Yes, no breed is banned in Santa Barbara. The city requires a license for unaltered cats over four months old, with a vet certificate showing the owner has discussed keeping an unaltered cat. Many shorthaired cats are domestic shorthairs that look much like American Shorthairs, so browse the listings on this page and save a search for new arrivals.
Yes, it's one of the easier climates for them. Winter highs sit in the mid-60s and summer highs in the mid-70s, with only about five days a year at 90°F or above, most often in fall. The dense coat copes well. The bigger concern is wildfire smoke and sundowner heat, so keep water out, windows secured and a carrier packed.
Yes, they usually do well in apartments. A Westside duplex or a Lower State apartment can both work if the cat has a tall cat tree, a window perch and daily play, which keeps a food-loving cat from gaining weight. Confirm in writing that the lease allows cats, and secure windows and balconies with sturdy screens.
Often, yes. A calm, adaptable cat suits Santa Barbara's mix of apartments, duplexes and single-family homes, and mild weather keeps sunny windows comfortable most of the year. The main asks are daily play, measured meals and wildfire readiness: a carrier, current ID and microchip, and a plan for smoky days indoors. Each cat's personality differs, so spend time with a cat first.
Yes, in a carrier. Santa Barbara MTD buses allow small pets in approved carriers only, so an American Shorthair must stay inside throughout the ride. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner allows a cat plus carrier up to 20 pounds under the seat, which a larger American Shorthair may exceed. Check current fares and pet fees before you travel.
Very little. Brushing once or twice a week handles the short, dense coat, and more often during the spring undercoat shed. Santa Barbara's mild, dry climate adds little, though check for grass seeds after any time on a catio or harness. Professional grooming is rarely needed, so it barely touches the $450 to $1,150 yearly Other costs.
An American Shorthair is a pedigreed North American cat breed descended from the working cats that came over with European settlers to control rodents. It is a sturdy, muscular, medium-to-large cat with a round face, full cheeks and a thick short coat in many colors, most famously silver tabby. Many are calm, adaptable and quietly affectionate.
American Shorthairs shed a moderate amount. Their dense coat drops hair year-round, with a heavier shed in spring when the undercoat thins and a lighter one in fall. Brushing a few times a week with a slicker brush or grooming mitt keeps loose hair under control and reduces hairballs. Sudden bald patches or excessive shedding deserve a veterinary visit.
We have 1 rescue with American Shorthairs available: Santa Barbara Humane - Santa Barbara. You can see every rescue with American Shorthairs available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the American Shorthairs near Santa Barbara.
Plan on roughly $1,200 to $2,700 a year for an American Shorthair in Santa Barbara. That covers food at $25 to $50 a month, insurance at $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care at $150 to $350 a year, and $450 to $1,150 a year in other costs, including litter. Adoption fees appear in the listings.
Expand your search to find American Shorthairs available for adoption near Santa Barbara.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Santa Barbara.
