Your guide to finding and caring for an American Wirehair in Indy
An American Wirehair suits an Indy bungalow or duplex well, because it's a calm, medium-sized cat that's content indoors. In one of Irvington's 1910s bungalows or a Mapleton-Fall Creek duplex, a Wirehair will claim a sunny windowsill and watch the street. The breed is playful without being pushy, and the crimped coat takes very little work. It's also rare, so most people have never met one. A couple of play sessions a day usually keep this cat happy while you're at work.
Adopt an American Wirehair today
While we don't have enough cats near Indianapolis, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 2 y., 436 miles
American Shorthair, American Wirehair
F, 3 y., 436 miles
American Shorthair, American Wirehair
M, 3-7 y., 438 miles
American Wirehair
F, 5 mo., 800 miles
American Wirehair
F, 5 mo., 800 miles
American Wirehair
F, 3-7 y., 897 miles
American Wirehair
M, 11 y., 913 miles
Domestic Short Hair, American Wirehair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 931 miles
American Wirehair, American Shorthair
M, 7 mo., 594 miles
American Wirehair
M, 5 mo., 890 miles
American Shorthair, American Wirehair
The American Wirehair began with one red-and-white kitten born in a farmhouse litter in Verona, New York, in 1966. His crimped, springy coat came from a spontaneous dominant gene, and the trait was passed on through American Shorthairs. That's where the breed's coarse, resilient fur and sometimes curly whiskers come from. It remains one of the rarest pedigreed cats.
Under the coat, a Wirehair is a medium to large, muscular cat, usually 8 to 15 pounds, that matures slowly over three or four years. Many are easygoing and affectionate without demanding constant attention, which suits Indy's mix of older rental flats and family houses. Like any cat, each Wirehair has its own personality, so spend time with a cat before deciding.
Having an American Wirehair in Indy
Wirehairs pair a springy, low-fuss coat with a mellow, people-friendly nature and generally sturdy health. Here's how temperament, play, health and space needs fit life in Indy, so you can judge whether this cat suits your household.
Many Wirehairs are mellow, affectionate and adaptable, happy to sit nearby while you cook or work. Most get along with respectful children and other pets. That flexibility suits Indy households of all kinds, from Castleton apartment complexes to family homes in Franklin Township, though some cats are shyer than others.
Expect moderate energy: bursts of chasing and pouncing between long naps. Two short daily play sessions with wand toys, balls or food puzzles help prevent the weight gain this muscular build is prone to. When Indy winters keep everyone indoors, tall cat trees and climbing spaces matter even more.
Wirehairs are generally healthy, but heart disease such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is worth discussing with a veterinarian. The wiry coat can come with oily or sensitive skin, so watch for flaking or itching. Indiana requires rabies vaccination from three months of age, and Indy requires permanent ID, so a microchip belongs on the first vet visit.
Apartments and houses both work for a Wirehair, as long as it has perches, scratchers, hiding spots and daily play. Indoor living is safest here: Indiana DNR says coyotes live throughout the state, including urban areas, and may kill house cats. A window perch or catio gives outdoor stimulation safely.
| 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.
* Litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratchers and other supplies, and occasional gentle home grooming.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Indianapolis.
Indianapolis has a mix of city and nonprofit shelters and rescues that help cats and dogs find new homes. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Indy area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an American Wirehair is coming in.
Indianapolis
7929 North Michigan Road, Indianapolis
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Indianapolis
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Indianapolis
2600 South Harding Street, Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis
1614 W Edgewood Ave, Indianapolis
Yes, Indianapolis has no breed restrictions and no general cat license. You'll need permanent ID such as a microchip, and Indiana requires rabies vaccination from three months of age. American Wirehairs are rare, so watch the listings on this page, look at similar breeds, or save a search to hear when a new cat is posted.
It can be, especially for a household that wants an easygoing indoor cat. Wirehairs enjoy company without being clingy, so they suit people who are home part of the day. Expect cold Indy winters to mean more indoor play, and plan on a secure indoor life because coyotes live in the city.
Yes, a Wirehair's calm, adaptable nature suits apartments, from Mass Ave flats to Fountain Square buildings. Provide a tall cat tree, scratchers and daily wand play so this muscular cat stays fit. Because landlords set their own pet terms in Indianapolis, read your lease for deposits and pet rent before you apply.
Yes, as indoor cats. Indy winters are cold and snowy, but a Wirehair's dense coat and indoor routine cope well when you provide warm bedding away from drafts. Keep the cat inside on icy days, add extra play to burn energy, and watch for dry or flaky skin from indoor heating.
Yes, if the cat is in a carrier. IndyGo's FAQ says pets are allowed on board in a carrying case, which covers its buses, including the Red and Purple Line rapid-transit routes. Indianapolis has no subway. Choose a sturdy, ventilated carrier roomy enough for a medium-to-large Wirehair, and check current fares with IndyGo.
Very little. A gentle brush now and then is usually enough, since heavy brushing can damage the crimped hairs. In Indy's dry, heated winter homes, watch for flaky or oily skin. Grooming happens mostly at home, so it's a small part of the $450 to $1,150 a year in other costs.
No, American Wirehair cats are not hypoallergenic. The main cat allergen comes from saliva and skin glands, not hair length or texture, so a wiry coat does not remove it. Their dense, crimped coat may shed a little less than some breeds, but allergic people should spend extended time with a specific cat before adopting and talk to their doctor.
Yes, American Wirehair cats are very rare. The entire breed descends from one kitten born in New York in 1966, and registrations with major cat associations have stayed small for decades. Few are born each year, so it is unusual to find one in a shelter. Breed rescues and saved searches give adopters the best chance of meeting one.
Yes, American Wirehair cats shed, but usually only lightly to moderately. Their dense, crimped coat holds loose hair, with somewhat heavier shedding in spring and fall. Gentle grooming with a soft brush or your hand every week or two is usually enough, because heavy brushing can damage the brittle hairs. Occasional baths help if the skin becomes oily.
Food runs $25 to $50 a month, insurance $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care $150 to $350 a year, and other costs $450 to $1,150 a year. Together that's roughly $1,200 to $2,700 a year. Indianapolis has no cat license fee, and first-year setup like a carrier and cat tree is extra.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Indianapolis.
