Bombay Cats for Adoption in Louisville, KY

Your guide to finding and caring for a Bombay in Louisville

The Bombay is a Louisville original, developed in the 1950s by Nikki Horner of the city. These sleek black, copper-eyed cats suit a Germantown shotgun house or an Old Louisville Victorian apartment, where a window perch and someone home for part of the day keep them content. They want company and play more than floor space. Many cats listed under this name are black shorthairs with the Bombay look rather than pedigreed cats.

594 Bombays available in Louisville and nationwide

Open your home to a Bombay

While we don't have enough cats near Louisville, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.

Bombays Available for Adoption Near Louisville

About the Bombay breed

Bombays are medium-sized cats, usually 6 to 12 pounds, and they feel heavier than they look because of their muscular build. The short, satiny coat is black to the roots, with a black nose and paw pads and round eyes from gold to deep copper. Shedding is low, so a weekly rub with a soft brush or damp cloth is usually enough.

Many Bombays are affectionate, playful and curious, following their people from room to room and claiming a lap in the evening. Some learn fetch or harness walking. Pedigreed Bombays are uncommon in shelters, and most black cats with copper eyes listed under this name are domestic shorthairs who share the look, so a cat's own personality matters more than the label. Bombays often live 12 to 15 years.

Weight
6–12 lbs
Height
8–10 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Temperament
Affectionate, Social, Playful
Shedding
Low

Owning a Bombay in Louisville

Having a Bombay in Louisville

A Bombay's glossy coat is easy to keep up, but its attachment to people asks more of an adopter's time. In Louisville, that means planning for daily play, a good window view and a household where someone is home for part of the day.

Temperament

Bombays tend to be affectionate and outgoing, and many greet visitors instead of hiding. Some bond closely with one person and dislike long days alone, which matters for Louisville commuters. They often accept other cats and calm dogs after gradual introductions, though each cat's history and socialization shape its behavior.

Exercise Needs

Plan on daily interactive play with wand toys, chase games and fetch, plus food puzzles for mental work. Indoor sessions keep the routine steady through Louisville's hot summers and icy winters, and some Bombays learn harness walks. Their muscular build and strong appetite make regular play important for weight control.

Health Considerations

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been reported in Bombays, and some have watery eyes that need occasional wiping. They can gain weight easily, which raises the risk of diabetes and joint strain. Regular vet exams, measured meals and dental care help, and a veterinarian can check the heart and weight after adoption.

Living Space

A Bombay can settle into a Louisville apartment or a house when it has company, play and places to climb. Window perches, cat trees and scratching posts matter more than floor space. Many crave attention, so a home where someone is around for part of the day suits them, and indoor living keeps them safe.

What it costs to own a Bombay in Louisville

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Food$25 to $50 per month$300 to $600
Pet insurance$30 to $60 per month$360 to $720
Routine vet care$150 to $350 per year$150 to $350
Other*$460 to $1,160 per year$460 to $1,160
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$1,270 to $2,830

Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* Litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratchers and other supplies, minimal home grooming, and the $10 yearly Louisville license for a spayed or neutered cat.

Adopt a Bombay in Louisville.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Louisville.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Louisville has no known breed-specific rules for cats, so a Bombay is treated like any other cat. Plan on the standard steps: a county license, rabies vaccination and a microchip. Many cats labeled Bombay are black shorthairs with the look, so watch the listings on this page and save a search to hear about new arrivals.

A Bombay fits Louisville households that offer company, daily play and window perches. Bombays are sociable and often dislike long days alone, so a remote worker or a busy household suits them better than an empty home from nine to six. Each cat differs, so weigh the cat's own personality alongside the breed label.

Yes, a Bombay can live happily in a Louisville apartment. Medium-sized and not hyperactive, it needs vertical space, play and attention more than square footage. Provide a cat tree, a window perch and daily wand-toy sessions. Before signing a lease, get the landlord's pet terms, including any deposit or monthly pet rent, in writing.

Louisville's climate works for Bombays because they live indoors. Summers are humid, with about 40 days at 90°F or higher, so keep the home cool and the water fresh. Winters bring regular freezing nights and occasional ice, so offer warm blankets and sunny windows. Spring thunderstorms call for a quiet hiding spot and a ready carrier.

A Bombay needs very little grooming in Louisville. The short, satiny coat sheds lightly, so a weekly stroke with a soft brush or rubber mitt keeps the shine, and watery eyes can be wiped gently as needed. Humid summers and cold winters don't change the routine much, and professional grooming is rarely necessary.

Louisville's TARC runs buses only, with no rail or subway. Service animals ride TARC, but pet cats may be subject to different rules, so review TARC's current policy before you travel. Where a ride is allowed, a secure, ventilated carrier kept on your lap is the safest setup for a Bombay.

Expect roughly $1,270 to $2,830 a year for a Bombay in Louisville. That covers food at $25 to $50 a month, insurance at $30 to $60 a month, routine vet care at $150 to $350 a year, and about $460 to $1,160 a year in other costs such as litter, prevention, dental care, supplies and the county license.

Find Bombays in Nearby Cities

Expand your search to find Bombays available for adoption near Louisville.