Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in New Bedford
American Shorthairs suit the upstairs flats of New Bedford's two- and three-deckers well. They're sturdy and easygoing, happy to watch gulls from a window perch in the North End or nap through a snowy afternoon in a West End Victorian. Most prefer a daily game with a wand toy to roaming, which fits a home with stairs and a shared porch. Keep one indoors, and you get a calm roommate who still expects dinner on time.
Adopt an American Shorthair today
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 174 miles
American Shorthair, Tabby
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 174 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 174 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 174 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 174 miles
American Shorthair
M, 2 y., 174 miles
American Shorthair
F, 5 y., 175 miles
American Shorthair
M, 8 y., 175 miles
American Shorthair
F, 3-7 y., 175 miles
American Shorthair
F, 3-7 y., 175 miles
American Shorthair
The American Shorthair descends from working cats that crossed the Atlantic on settlers' ships to keep rodents off the cargo, then guarded barns and homesteads. It became a recognized breed in the early twentieth century and was renamed in the 1960s. It's a muscular, medium-to-large cat with a broad face, full cheeks and a dense, hard-textured coat in many colors, with the silver tabby as the classic look.
Many are easygoing and quietly affectionate, content to supervise from a perch rather than demand attention. A cat with strong hunting instincts and a habit of gaining weight does best with daily play and measured meals. Most shorthaired cats in homes are random-bred domestic shorthairs with a similar look, so a cat in New Bedford may share these traits under either name.
Having an American Shorthair in New Bedford
Calm, sturdy and food-motivated, the American Shorthair needs play, measured meals and a safe indoor routine more than a lot of space. In New Bedford, those basics matter most through long winters and in upstairs apartments.
Many American Shorthairs are even-tempered, friendly and happy to share a room without demanding a lap. That steadiness suits New Bedford's busy multi-family buildings, where footsteps, neighbors and street noise are part of the day. They're usually quiet, and each cat's history and socialization shape its personality as much as breed does.
Aim for a couple of short play sessions a day with wand toys, chase games and food puzzles. A perch facing the street or yard adds entertainment between sessions. When snow or a storm keeps everyone inside, play matters even more, since many of these cats are relaxed and gain weight easily.
American Shorthairs are generally robust, and obesity is the most common preventable concern. Heart disease and polycystic kidney disease have been reported in the breed, so a veterinarian can check the heart and kidneys at a first exam. Massachusetts requires rabies vaccination for cats. Measured meals, dental care and yearly exams help.
An American Shorthair fits an upstairs New Bedford flat as comfortably as a single-family house, given scratching posts, perches and hiding spots. With shared porches, stairs and doors in many multi-family buildings, keep the cat indoors or in a secure enclosure, and make sure window screens are firmly fitted.
| 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.
Adoptable cats in the New Bedford area come from local nonprofits and nearby shelters, and the listings change often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the New Bedford area where you can find American Shorthairs and other cats available for adoption.
Yes, an American Shorthair usually does well in an apartment, including an upstairs flat in a New Bedford two- or three-decker. These cats are calm and adapt to smaller spaces when they have scratching posts, window perches and daily play. Keep the cat indoors, secure window screens and porch doors, and plan play for stair-bound winter days to prevent weight gain.
Yes, you can own an American Shorthair in New Bedford, and Massachusetts bars cities from regulating by breed, so nothing here treats this breed differently. Cats need a rabies vaccination by six months of age and revaccination on schedule. Landlords set their own pet policies, so confirm yours before you adopt, then browse the cats listed on this page.
An American Shorthair is a good fit if you want a calm, adaptable cat that's content at home through New Bedford's long winters. It enjoys play but doesn't need much space, and it usually tolerates busy buildings well. It's a weaker match if nobody is home much, since these cats like company, and every cat varies. Daily play and measured meals keep it healthy.
Yes, on MBTA Commuter Rail, small pets are allowed at any time in a secure carrier, so an American Shorthair can ride in a sturdy carrier. The line serves the New Bedford and Church Street stations. For SRTA buses, check the current pet policy before boarding. Carry ID and keep the carrier closed throughout the trip.
Very little. An American Shorthair's short, dense coat needs brushing once or twice a week at home, a bit more in spring when the undercoat sheds and lightly in fall. Professional grooming usually isn't needed, so it sits at the low end of the Other costs, which also cover litter, flea prevention and dental care. Trim nails as needed.
Generally no. Massachusetts food rules bar pets from restaurants, patios included, with an exception for service animals, and no known New Bedford program changes that. Most cats are also happier at home than in a crowded dining area. Before you head out, give your American Shorthair a play session and a comfortable perch so the time alone passes easily.
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: As Sweet As a Peach. 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 New Bedford.
Expect roughly $1,200 to $2,700 a year for an American Shorthair in New Bedford, or about $100 to $225 a month. That covers food ($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). Emergency care is extra.
Expand your search to find American Shorthairs available for adoption near New Bedford.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in New Bedford.
