Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in Pembroke Pines
American Shorthairs fit Pembroke Pines homes well, from Silver Lakes townhomes to single-family houses with screened patios. They're calm, sturdy cats that are happy supervising from a window perch and don't need much room. A wand-toy session each day keeps them trim. Coyotes, alligators and cane toads are part of life around the lakes here, so an indoor cat or a screened enclosure is the safer setup. If you want a laid-back housemate, an adult American Shorthair is a good place to start.
Adopt an American Shorthair today
M, 4 mo., 861 miles
American Shorthair
M, 1 y., 865 miles
American Shorthair
F, 1 y., 865 miles
American Shorthair
M, 1 y., 865 miles
American Shorthair
M, 1 y., 865 miles
American Shorthair
F, 2 y., 865 miles
American Shorthair
F, 3 y., 866 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 868 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 873 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 873 miles
American Shorthair
The American Shorthair descends from working cats that traveled with European settlers to keep rodents off ships and out of barns. The breed took shape in the early twentieth century, and today it's a solid, muscular, medium-to-large cat with a broad face, full cheeks and a dense, hard-textured short coat in dozens of colors, with the silver tabby as the classic look.
Many are easygoing, quietly affectionate and happy to share a room without demanding attention, and they usually do well with children and calm dogs. They love hunting-style play and gain weight easily. Most short-haired cats needing homes are random-bred domestic shorthairs with a similar look, so you may meet cats with these traits under either name.
Having an American Shorthair in Pembroke Pines
Steady, low-drama companionship is the draw. Moderate play needs, a dense coat and a healthy appetite shape daily care, and in Pembroke Pines the bigger questions are keeping a natural hunter safely indoors and keeping a cat comfortable through a long, humid summer.
Most American Shorthairs are even-tempered and friendly without being clingy, which suits a Pembroke Pines household that's out at work or school part of the day. Many accept respectful children and calm dogs after gradual introductions. They're usually quiet, with soft chirps. A cat's history and socialization matter as much as breed.
Aim for a couple of short play sessions a day with wand toys, chase games and food puzzles. A window perch or cat tree adds activity, and a screened patio gives safe fresh air when you're there to watch. Because many are food-motivated, regular play helps prevent weight gain, especially in indoor and older cats.
American Shorthairs are generally robust. Obesity is the most common preventable problem, raising the risk of diabetes and arthritis. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease have been reported in the breed, so a veterinarian can check the heart and kidneys at a first exam. Year-round flea prevention makes sense in South Florida's warm climate.
An American Shorthair adapts to condos, townhomes and houses alike, as long as it has scratching posts, perches, hiding spots and daily play. Keep window screens and balcony doors secure, since lizards and birds tempt these strong hunters. Indoor living or a screened enclosure protects the cat and local wildlife.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $140, one time | $140 in year one |
| 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* | $475 to $1,205 per year | $475 to $1,205 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,225 to $2,755 | |
| First-year total (with adoption fee) | $1,365 to $2,895 | |
Adoption fee is the fee on American Shorthair listings in Pembroke Pines on GetBuddy today. Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Cat litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, the yearly Broward County pet tag, toys, scratching posts and other supplies, and simple brushing at home.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have American Shorthairs available.
Pembroke Pines has no shelter of its own, so rescues and shelters around Broward County care for local cats. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Pembroke Pines area where you can find American Shorthairs and other cats available for adoption.
Yes, in a carrier. Broward County Transit buses allow pets only in a secure cage or carrier, so an American Shorthair in a latching, hard-sided carrier on your lap qualifies. Keep the cat inside the carrier for the whole ride. The city's free Community Bus connects to BCT, but don't assume it follows the same pet rule.
Yes, if they live indoors with air conditioning. Pembroke Pines sees about 105 days a year at 90°F or higher, and summer nights stay near 77°F. An American Shorthair's dense coat holds heat, so keep fresh water in a few spots, play at cooler hours, and never leave a cat in a parked car.
Yes. Florida law limits local breed-specific rules, and none apply to American Shorthairs. Cats four months or older need a rabies vaccination and a Broward County tag. Check your lease or HOA rules on pet limits first, then browse the cats listed on this page and save a search to hear about new arrivals.
Yes, American Shorthairs usually adapt well to apartments and condos. They need scratching posts, perches and daily play more than square footage. Confirm pet fees, pet rent and number limits in your lease or condo rules, since Florida sets no cap and amounts vary. Screen windows and balconies, because these strong hunters will chase lizards and birds.
Often, yes, for people who want a calm indoor cat. American Shorthairs handle quiet days at home and busy households alike, and they're happy with a window perch and daily play. The tradeoffs here are long, hot summers and hurricane season, so plan on reliable air conditioning, a sturdy carrier and a storm kit ready from June through November.
Very little. An American Shorthair's short, dense coat needs a weekly brush, which helps most in spring when the undercoat sheds. Pembroke Pines' humidity doesn't call for professional grooming, and occasional nail trims and ear checks are enough. Home brushing costs next to nothing, and any occasional groomer visit fits within the Other line of the cost table.
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: Kit Crew Rescue. 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 Pembroke Pines.
Expect roughly $25 to $50 a month for food, $25 to $50 a month for pet insurance, $150 to $350 a year for routine vet care, and $475 to $1,205 a year for litter, flea prevention, dental care, the county tag and supplies. That totals about $1,225 to $2,755 a year.
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Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Pembroke Pines.
