Your guide to finding and caring for a Havana in Fargo
A Havana fits easily into a Fargo apartment, whether it's a Roosevelt duplex near NDSU or a townhome in Urban Plains. They're medium-sized, short-coated cats that care more about company than square footage, so a window perch and a wand toy go a long way. Fargo winters keep cats indoors anyway, which suits a Havana who wants to supervise everything you do. Expect a soft, chatty voice and a paw reaching out to help.
Give a Havana Brown a home
While we don't have enough cats near Fargo, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 0-6 mo., 951 miles
Siamese, Domestic Short Hair
F, 0-6 mo., 951 miles
Snowshoe, Siamese
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 951 miles
Snowshoe, Siamese
M, 0-6 mo., 951 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
F, 6 mo., 951 miles
Siamese, Domestic Short Hair
F, 2 y., 951 miles
Siamese, Mixed Breed Cat
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 952 miles
Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 952 miles
Oriental Short Hair, Siamese
M, 3-7 y., 952 miles
Himalayan, Siamese
M, 0-6 mo., 952 miles
Siamese, Snowshoe
The Havana, or Havana Brown to some registries, came out of Britain in the 1950s, when chocolate-carrying Siamese were paired with black domestic shorthairs. The look is unmistakable: a glossy chocolate coat, brown whiskers, green eyes, large forward-tilted ears and a squared-off muzzle on a muscular body of six to ten pounds.
The breed is genuinely rare, so in Fargo you're more likely to meet a brown shorthaired cat or a Havana mix than a registered Havana. Either way, expect a curious, people-focused cat that follows you around and talks in a softer voice than a Siamese. The short coat needs little brushing, though gum health deserves attention, and each cat's personality will vary.
Having a Havana in Fargo
Havanas pair a low-fuss coat with a strong wish to join in family life. In Fargo, that mostly means an indoor cat who needs play, perches and company through the long cold months.
Havanas are often affectionate, curious and quick to greet visitors rather than hide. Many follow their people from room to room, which suits Fargo households where someone is home part of the day. Some get lonely during long workdays, so a calm companion pet or interactive toys can help. Each cat's personality varies, whatever the breed.
Most Havanas are moderately active and enjoy two or three short play sessions a day with wand toys, balls and puzzle feeders. With Fargo's long winters keeping cats inside, tall cat trees and window perches give a Havana places to climb and watch birds and snow without going out.
No breed-specific genetic disease is well documented, but gum inflammation may be somewhat more common, so regular dental care helps. The breed's small gene pool means records are limited. A veterinarian can check teeth, gums and overall condition at a first visit and set up a vaccine schedule, including the rabies shot Fargo licensing requires.
A Havana adapts to apartments and houses alike, because companionship matters more than square footage. A cat tree, a window perch and a few hiding spots fit comfortably in a one-bedroom or a older Fargo bungalow. A window with a view of birds or a snowy street adds plenty of entertainment.
| 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* | $455 to $1,155 per year | $455 to $1,155 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,205 to $2,705 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The $5 Fargo cat license, litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratchers and other supplies, and minimal home grooming for the short coat.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Fargo.
Fargo's cat adopters can choose from a nonprofit shelter and several local rescues, with cats of many ages and coat colors. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Fargo area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Havana is coming in.
Yes, there are no known breed restrictions on cats in Fargo, so you can own a Havana. Every cat must be licensed for $5 a year, even indoor cats, with proof of current rabies vaccination, and a household can keep up to six dogs and cats combined. Renters should also confirm their lease allows cats before adopting.
Yes, as long as winters are spent indoors. Fargo's deep cold is too harsh for a short-coated Havana outside, even briefly, and frostbite on ears and paws is a real risk. Inside, a warm perch away from drafts and two or three short play sessions a day keep this social, curious cat comfortable and busy.
Yes, a Havana does well in an apartment as long as it gets attention. This medium-sized cat needs play, window perches and company more than space, and its voice is softer than a Siamese's, which helps with neighbors. Check your lease for pet rent, deposits and any limits on cats before you adopt.
Yes, in a carrier. MATBUS buses allow pets in a cage or container as long as the pet isn't a nuisance or hazard. The carrier must stay on your lap and can't block the aisle or take a seat. A Havana's medium size fits a standard carrier, and practicing at home makes the ride calmer.
A Havana fits Fargo well for people who are home part of the day or have another friendly pet. The cat's social nature and mostly indoor life suit long winters, and the short coat needs little care. It may struggle with long, lonely workdays, so plan daily play. Because the breed is rare, many cats you meet will be brown shorthairs or mixes.
Very little. A weekly brush keeps the short chocolate coat glossy and removes loose hair, which is worth doing in winter when homes are heated and the air is dry. Occasional nail trims and regular tooth care matter more than baths. Most owners handle this at home, so grooming adds little beyond the minimal allowance in 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.
Plan on roughly $1,200 to $2,700 a year for a Havana in Fargo. Food and insurance each run $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care $150 to $350 a year, and other costs such as litter, flea prevention, dental care and supplies $455 to $1,155. The wide ranges reflect diet, insurance choice and dental needs.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Fargo.
