Your guide to finding and caring for a Chausie in Albuquerque
Chausies do well in Albuquerque homes that give them room to climb and someone to play with. A loft in the Casa District near Downtown works if there are tall cat trees and window perches, and a Barelas bungalow with a screened porch or catio can be even better. These lanky, athletic cats get bored fast, so they fit best with people who are home a good part of the day.
Adopt a Chausie today
While we don't have enough cats near Albuquerque, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 3-7 y., 411 miles
Bengal
M, 3 y., 466 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bengal
F, 1 y., 488 miles
Bengal
F, 6 mo., 490 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bengal
M, 6 mo., 490 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bengal
F, 5 y., 492 miles
Egyptian Mau, Domestic Short Hair
F, 3-7 y., 422 miles
Bengal
F, 8 y. +, 612 miles
Bengal, Domestic Short Hair
F, 3-7 y., 613 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bengal
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 622 miles
American Shorthair, Bengal
The Chausie is a tall, lean domestic cat whose ancestry includes the jungle cat, a wild species of Asia and the Middle East, crossed with domestic cats such as the Abyssinian. Large ears, long legs and a short coat in solid black, black ticked tabby or grizzled tabby give it a wild look, and most adults weigh roughly 8 to 16 pounds.
Cats several generations removed from the jungle cat are fully domestic, and many are playful, smart and social. They often dislike long stretches alone, so a home where someone is around, or a second lively cat, suits them. Albuquerque's sunny days give a Chausie plenty to watch from a window perch, but it still needs things to climb and chase. Some have sensitive stomachs, and early-generation hybrids can be more demanding and are restricted in some places.
Having a Chausie in Albuquerque
Chausies are athletic, curious cats that need daily play, company and room to climb. In an Albuquerque home, that means tall perches, puzzle feeders and a plan for dry air and big swings between day and night temperatures.
Chausies tend to be confident, curious and affectionate, and many want to be part of everything in the house. They often bond closely and can be chatty. Cats vary, so a Chausie may turn out more independent or more clingy than expected. Busy households and homes with another playful cat tend to suit them best.
Plan several vigorous play sessions a day with wand toys, fetch, climbing and puzzle feeders. Many Chausies learn to walk on a harness, and early morning is the cooler choice in Albuquerque's hot months. Coyotes and rattlesnakes live around the city's open areas, so keep outings supervised and close, and do most of the activity indoors.
No breed-specific disease is well documented, but some Chausies have sensitive digestion and do best on high-protein food. Watch for repeated stomach upsets and talk through diet with a veterinarian. Albuquerque's dry air makes fresh water, ideally from a fountain, worth the effort. Regular checkups, dental care and a healthy weight matter for this long-legged athlete.
Chausies do well in houses or apartments with real vertical space: sturdy cat trees, wall shelves and window perches. They reach high surfaces easily, so fragile items may need a new spot. Indoor living with secure window screens suits them best, and a screened porch or catio can add safe outdoor time.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $30 to $60 per month | $360 to $720 |
| Pet insurance | $30 to $65 per month | $360 to $780 |
| 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) | $1,320 to $3,000 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, sturdy climbing furniture and toys, and simple 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 Albuquerque.
Albuquerque has city and private shelters plus rescues, and a rare breed like the Chausie turns up only occasionally. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Albuquerque area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Chausie is coming in.
3001 2nd St SW, Albuquerque
8920 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque
11800 Sunset Gardens SW, Albuquerque
615 Virginia Street SE, Albuquerque
Albuquerque
P.O. Box 90394, Albuquerque
P.O. Box 3802, Albuquerque
PO Box 40189, Albuquerque
Albuquerque
Albuquerque
Albuquerque
Albuquerque
Yes, Albuquerque has no breed-specific rules, so a Chausie is treated like any other pet cat. You'll need a microchip, a rabies vaccine and, for cats over five months, spaying or neutering unless you hold a $150 yearly intact permit. Households can have six pets, no more than four of them dogs.
No. ABQ RIDE buses, including the ART line on Central Avenue, allow service animals only, so a pet Chausie can't ride. The Rail Runner also bars pets, though comfort animals are allowed in a carrier small enough to hold on your lap or store under a seat. Plan on driving to vet visits with a secure carrier.
Mostly yes, since a Chausie lives indoors. Albuquerque is sunny and dry, with hot summer afternoons, cool summer nights, cold winter nights and light snow. The main adjustments are shaded rooms and fresh water in summer, a warm perch in winter, and screened windows during dusty spring winds. The mild months suit an athletic, short-coated cat well.
Yes, if the apartment has vertical space and the cat gets daily play. Chausies are athletic jumpers, so plan on tall cat trees, window perches and puzzle feeders, and check your lease before installing wall shelves. Because they dislike long days alone, renters who work long hours may want a second playful cat.
Cats can't use Albuquerque's dog parks, so a Chausie needs a harness and leash outing. Pets in Open Space must be leashed at eight feet or less, including on the Paseo del Bosque Trail along the Rio Grande and at Elena Gallegos Open Space in the Sandia foothills. Go early in the morning, and stay alert for coyotes and rattlesnakes.
A Chausie needs very little grooming. The short, dense coat sheds lightly to moderately, so a weekly brush is usually enough, with a bit more during heavier shedding. A quick wipe-down helps after dusty spring winds. Trim nails and brush teeth at home. Most owners skip professional grooming, so yearly costs stay low.
No, Chausie cats are not generally dangerous. Cats several generations removed from the jungle cat, the ones TICA allows in championship shows, are domestic cats with domestic temperaments. They are large, strong and very active, so rough play needs redirecting to toys. Early-generation hybrids can be more wild in behavior and need experienced owners, and some places restrict them.
No, Chausie cats are not hypoallergenic. No cat breed is truly allergen-free, because the main cat allergen is produced in saliva and skin and spreads through grooming. The Chausie's short coat sheds relatively lightly, which may mean less hair around the house, but allergy sufferers can still react. Spending time with a specific cat before adopting is the best test.
A Chausie is a large, athletic domestic cat breed developed from crosses between the jungle cat, Felis chaus, and domestic cats, especially Abyssinians. It is recognized by TICA and has a lean, long-legged body, big ears and a short coat in black, black ticked tabby or grizzled tabby. Chausies are known for being energetic, intelligent and social.
A Chausie typically costs about $1,320 to $3,000 a year. Food runs $30 to $60 a month and insurance $30 to $65. Routine vet care adds $150 to $350 a year, and litter, flea prevention, dental cleanings and climbing gear add $450 to $1,150. Emergencies and illness are extra.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Albuquerque.
