Your guide to finding and caring for a Havana in Minneapolis
A Havana suits Minneapolis apartment life well, because this cat cares more about company than square footage. In an Elliot Park brick apartment building or a Whittier rental, a Havana will claim the window with the best view of the street and follow you from room to room. They're curious, a little chatty and happiest when someone's home. Long January evenings give you plenty of time for wand-toy sessions, which is exactly the kind of attention this cat wants.
Give a Havana Brown a home
F, 3 mo., 1038 miles
Siamese
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 1038 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 1038 miles
Oriental Short Hair, Domestic Short Hair
M, 8 y. +, 1042 miles
Siamese, Domestic Short Hair
M, 6 mo., 1043 miles
Siamese
F, 1 y., 1044 miles
Siamese
F, 6 mo., 1044 miles
Siamese, American Shorthair
M, 6 mo., 1044 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Siamese
M, 5 mo., 1044 miles
Siamese, Domestic Short Hair
M, 8 y., 1044 miles
Siamese, Snowshoe
The Havana, known as the Havana Brown in some registries, is a medium, muscular cat with a short chocolate coat, brown whiskers, green eyes and big forward-tilted ears. Adults usually weigh about 6 to 10 pounds, and many live 10 to 15 years. The short coat sheds little, so a quick weekly brush is usually plenty.
Havanas tend to be curious and people-focused, often patting at things with a paw and chatting in a softer voice than a Siamese. That suits Minneapolis winters, when most of life happens indoors and a cat that wants to join in keeps things lively. The breed is rare, so many brown shorthaired cats you meet will be mixes, and each cat's personality can differ from the breed description.
Having a Havana in Minneapolis
Expect a sleek, low-maintenance coat paired with a strong wish to be involved in daily life. In a Minneapolis home, that means a cat who wants company, play and a window to watch more than it wants a lot of space.
Havanas are often affectionate, curious and quick to greet visitors rather than hide. Many enjoy considerate children and calm dogs. Because they're so people-oriented, some get lonely during long workdays, which is worth weighing if you commute downtown. Every cat differs, so a Havana's own behavior matters more than the breed label.
Most Havanas are moderately active. Plan two or three short play sessions a day with wand toys, balls or puzzle feeders, plus a tall cat tree or window perch. In a Minneapolis winter, when cats stay inside for months, these sessions become the main source of exercise and mental work.
Havanas have no well-documented breed-specific genetic disease, though gum inflammation may be somewhat more common. The small gene pool means little research exists, so annual checkups and regular dental care matter. A veterinarian can check teeth, weight and heart after adoption and recommend screening and vaccines.
A Havana does fine in a studio, a rental apartment or a house, since company and enrichment count for more than square footage. Give it a window perch, a cat tree and a couple of hiding spots. Many do best when someone is home part of the day or another friendly pet is around.
| 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* | $480 to $1,180 per year | $480 to $1,180 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,230 to $2,730 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The $30 Minneapolis cat license for a spayed or neutered cat, litter, flea prevention, a yearly dental cleaning allowance, and toys, scratchers and other supplies.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Minneapolis.
The city shelter and area rescues listed below share their adoptable cats and kittens here, and their listings change often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Minneapolis area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Havana is coming in.
212 17th Avenue North, Minneapolis
Minneapolis
Minneapolis
Minneapolis
Minneapolis
Minneapolis
Yes, Minneapolis has no known restrictions on cat breeds, so a Havana is treated like any other cat. The main steps are a city license once the cat is over four months old, which requires a current rabies vaccination, and your landlord's consent if you rent. Keep the license tag on a collar.
Yes, a Havana adapts well to apartments, which matters in a city with so many renters. It needs a window perch, a cat tree and daily play more than it needs space. Because Havanas bond closely with people, a cat alone through long workdays may get bored, so plan interactive toys and ideally some company.
A Havana fits Minneapolis best with someone who's home a fair amount and enjoys interactive play, since long winters keep cats indoors for months. It's less ideal for a household that's away most of the day. Because the breed is rare, watch the listings on this page for Havana-type cats, or browse similar breeds and nearby cities.
Yes, as long as the Havana lives indoors. Minneapolis averages about 72 days a year that never top freezing and about 51 inches of snow, and a Havana's short coat gives little protection against frostbite on ears and paws. Keep it inside, provide warm perches and extra play, and skip outdoor time on cold days.
Only in a carrier. Metro Transit buses and light rail allow pets on board only in a carrier, and a Havana, at about 6 to 10 pounds, fits comfortably in a standard cat carrier. Keep it latched and on your lap or the floor. Minneapolis has no subway, and service animals follow separate rules.
Very little. A Havana's short, low-shedding coat needs a quick weekly brush, and a bit more in dry winter air when skin can get flaky. Add regular nail trims and tooth care, since gum inflammation may be more common in the breed. Professional grooming usually isn't needed, so home supplies fall under the Other cost line.
A Havana cat, also called the Havana Brown, is a rare shorthaired breed developed in Britain in the 1950s from Siamese and black domestic cats. It is recognized by its rich chocolate-brown coat, brown whiskers, green eyes and distinctive muzzle. Havanas tend to be social, curious and people-focused, and few are available, so brown shorthaired mixes are more common in shelters.
Expect roughly $1,230 to $2,730 a year for a Havana in Minneapolis. That covers food at $25 to $50 a month, insurance at $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care of $150 to $350 a year, and $480 to $1,180 in other yearly costs such as litter, dental care and the city license. Emergencies and illness are extra.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Minneapolis.
