Your guide to finding and caring for an American Curl in Honolulu
American Curls suit Honolulu's condo and small-apartment life well, since they're happy indoors with a window to watch from. In a Makiki apartment or a low-rise condo in Mānoa, a Curl will claim a perch by the glass and follow you from room to room. They're playful, so a few short games with a wand toy each day keep them busy. Long days alone aren't ideal for a cat this sociable, so they fit best with people who are home a good part of the day.
Say hello to your American Curl
While we don't have enough cats near Honolulu, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 0-6 mo., 4842 miles
American Shorthair, American Curl
F, 2 y., 4882 miles
American Curl, Extra-Toes Cat / Hemingway Polydactyl
M, 1 y., 4882 miles
American Curl
M, 1 y., 4882 miles
American Curl
F, 8 y. +, 4912 miles
American Curl
F, 3 y., 4234 miles
American Curl
M, 3 mo., 4234 miles
American Curl
F, 3 mo., 4234 miles
American Curl
The American Curl started with Shulamith, a longhaired black stray with backward-curling ears who turned up at a home in Lakewood, California, in 1981. The curl comes from a dominant gene. Today's Curls are medium-sized cats of roughly 5 to 10 pounds, in longhaired and shorthaired coats and every color and pattern. Kittens are born with straight ears, which begin to curl within a few days.
Many Curls are people-oriented, curious and playful well into adulthood, which suits a Honolulu household where someone is often around. Their silky coats need only light combing, and the firm ear cartilage should be handled gently. The breed is fairly uncommon, so adopters may also meet curl-eared mixes, and each cat's personality varies.
Having an American Curl in Honolulu
The ears get the attention, but an American Curl's sociable, playful nature shapes daily life most. In Honolulu, that means indoor enrichment, a cool place to rest, and a home where someone is around often enough to keep a people-loving cat company.
Many American Curls are affectionate without being demanding, greeting visitors and trailing their people around the apartment. They often stay kittenish for years and may get along with respectful children and other pets after slow introductions. In a busy condo building, look for a cat whose comfort level matches your household, since each Curl differs.
Plan on a few short, energetic play sessions a day with wand toys, balls or puzzle feeders, and give a Curl shelves or a tall cat tree to climb. A sunny window perch adds entertainment for a Honolulu indoor cat. If a cat enjoys a harness, keep outings to a quiet, shaded yard or lanai.
No health problems specific to the breed are documented, and the curl gene isn't linked to cartilage disease. Common cat concerns still apply: dental disease, obesity and ear wax buildup. Handle the ears gently. A veterinarian can advise on flea prevention, which matters in Honolulu's warm climate.
Curls adapt well to apartments and condos when they have vertical space, scratching posts and hiding spots. In Honolulu's high-rises and lanais, secure screens and railings, because curious cats can climb or slip through gaps. Keep any outdoor time supervised or enclosed, and set up a cool, shaded resting spot.
| 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 $1,250 per year | $450 to $1,250 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,200 to $2,800 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, flea and parasite prevention, dental cleanings, toys and scratching supplies, and occasional grooming help for longhaired Curls.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Honolulu.
Oʻahu's animal welfare community includes a large humane society, a no-kill shelter and foster-based rescue groups. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Honolulu area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an American Curl is coming in.
Yes. Honolulu has no known breed restrictions on cats, and the main requirement is a registered microchip for cats 4 months and older, with no license needed. American Curls are uncommon, so watch the listings on this page, and look at similar breeds or nearby cities if none appear. Saving a search will tell you when one is listed.
Yes, American Curls generally do well in Honolulu apartments and condos. They're adaptable, but they need vertical space, scratching posts and daily play. Secure lanai railings and window screens, since curious cats can squeeze through gaps. Renters should get pet permission in writing and budget for a pet deposit, which Hawaiʻi law caps at one extra month's rent.
Mostly, yes. Honolulu has no cold season, and a Curl's medium build and silky coat handle the steady warmth well indoors. Summer sun and humid nights are the bigger issue, with about 32 days a year reaching 90°F. Run fans or air conditioning, keep fresh water out, and keep the cat indoors or in shaded, supervised spaces.
Yes, in a carrier. TheBus and Skyline allow small animals only in a closed carrier held on your lap or placed under the seat, which suits a 5-to-10-pound Curl. Choose a sturdy, ventilated carrier and get your cat used to it beforehand. Check current fares with TheBus and Skyline before your first trip.
Not much. American Curls have silky coats with little undercoat, so combing two or three times a month is usually enough, and a bit more often for longhaired cats. Honolulu's warm, humid air doesn't change that routine much. Occasional grooming help for longhaired Curls falls within the yearly Other costs shown on this page.
Yes, for people who are home often and keep the cat indoors. A Curl's sociable, playful nature suits condo living. Fireworks around New Year's are loud and widespread on Oʻahu, so give a nervous cat a quiet room, white noise and a current microchip registration. A carrier by the door also helps during storms.
No, American Curl cats are not hypoallergenic. Cat allergens come mainly from proteins in saliva and skin, which all cats produce regardless of coat. Curls have little undercoat and shed lightly to moderately, but that does not make them allergy-free. Spend time with a specific cat and talk with an allergist before adopting if allergies are a concern.
Yes, American Curls are fairly rare. The breed only began in 1981 and remains uncommon compared with long-established breeds, though it now has a following in the US, Europe, Russia and Japan. Purebred Curls seldom appear in shelters, but curl-eared mixed cats sometimes do. Check rescues and GetBuddy listings regularly if you hope to adopt one.
American Curls have no known breed-specific health problems so far, partly because the breed was built from a broad base of domestic cats. They can still develop common feline conditions such as dental disease, obesity, kidney disease with age and ear wax buildup. Regular checkups and a healthy weight help keep a Curl in good shape.
Expect roughly $25 to $50 a month for food and the same for insurance, $150 to $350 a year for routine vet care, and $450 to $1,250 a year for everything else, including litter and prevention. Together that's about $1,200 to $2,800 a year. Honolulu has no cat license, only a microchip, so there's no yearly license fee.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Honolulu.
