Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in Flushing
American Shorthairs suit Flushing's apartment buildings, including the six-story co-ops of Linden Hill, because they're calm and don't need much room. They're happy with a window perch over the street and a couple of short play sessions a day. Without that play they tend to put on weight, so a wand toy matters more than square footage. It's a steady, quiet cat for a busy household, whether you live near the 7 train or out in Auburndale.
Adopt an American Shorthair today
F, 0-6 mo., 1428 miles
American Shorthair
F, 0-6 mo., 1428 miles
American Shorthair
F, 0-6 mo., 1428 miles
American Shorthair
M, 0-6 mo., 1428 miles
American Shorthair
M, 3-7 y., 1429 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 1430 miles
American Shorthair
M, 2 y., 1430 miles
American Shorthair
M, 2 y., 1430 miles
American Shorthair
M, 1 y., 1430 miles
American Shorthair
M, 1 y., 1430 miles
American Shorthair
The American Shorthair descends from working cats that traveled with European settlers to keep rodents off ships and cargo, then guarded barns and homesteads across North America. The breed took shape in the early twentieth century and was renamed in the 1960s. It's a solid, muscular, medium-to-large cat with a broad face, full cheeks and a thick, hard-textured coat in dozens of colors. The silver tabby is the classic look.
Many are easygoing and quietly affectionate, content to keep an eye on the household without demanding constant attention. They enjoy hunting-style play and tend to gain weight without it. Most shorthaired cats in Flushing homes are random-bred domestic shorthairs that share this look, so a cat with these traits may come under either name. Plan on daily play, measured meals and a good scratching post.
Having an American Shorthair in Flushing
American Shorthairs offer steady, low-key company, but their hunting instincts, dense coat and appetite shape daily care. In Flushing, play, weight control and a safe indoor setup matter more than square footage.
Many American Shorthairs are even-tempered and friendly without being clingy, which suits a Flushing household where people come and go. They usually enjoy company, tolerate calm visitors and settle into the noise of a busy building. A cat's history and socialization shape personality more than breed does, so expect variation.
Aim for a couple of short play sessions a day with wand toys, chase games and food puzzles. In a Flushing apartment, a window perch overlooking the street and a tall cat tree add activity. Indoor living keeps cats safe, so structured play is the main way to keep an easygoing, food-motivated cat from gaining weight.
American Shorthairs are generally robust, but weight is the most common preventable concern, and heart and kidney conditions have been reported in the breed. Annual exams, dental care and measured meals help. A veterinarian can check the heart, kidneys and weight soon after adoption, and New York State requires rabies vaccination for cats.
An American Shorthair adapts well to a downtown condo, a co-op unit or a detached house in Auburndale. Provide scratching posts, perches and hiding spots. Secure window screens and balcony doors, since these strong hunters will fixate on birds outside and may bolt if given the chance.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $175, one time | $175 in year one |
| 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 | |
| First-year total (with adoption fee) | $1,375 to $2,875 | |
Adoption fee is the fee on American Shorthair listings in Flushing on GetBuddy today. Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Cat litter, flea and tick 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.
Queens' rescues and shelters, many of them volunteer-run, regularly place shorthaired cats like the American Shorthair in local homes. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Flushing area where you can find American Shorthairs and other cats available for adoption.
Yes. No breed-specific rules apply anywhere in New York City, and cats don't need a city license. State law requires a rabies vaccination by four months of age. Check your lease or co-op rules first, since buildings set their own pet policies, and NYCHA homes allow one cat or one dog per household.
Yes. American Shorthairs are calm and adapt well to apartments, which is how most Flushing households live. Give the cat a window perch, scratching posts and daily play with a wand toy. Co-ops and condos set their own pet rules, but New York City's pet law waives a no-pet clause after three months of open pet ownership that the landlord knows about.
Yes, if the cat is in a bag or other container carried so it doesn't bother other riders. The 7 train ends at Flushing–Main Street, and the Long Island Rail Road requires a container that fits on your lap. An American Shorthair can reach 15 pounds, so choose a carrier roomy enough for the cat to turn around.
Yes, with some care. Flushing summers are humid, with about 22 days a year reaching 90°F at nearby LaGuardia Airport and nights hovering near 70°F. Indoors, use air conditioning or fans, shade sunny windows and keep fresh water out. Heavy panting or drooling signals overheating. Never leave a cat in a parked car.
Often, yes, especially for people with a steady routine. The breed's calm, adaptable nature suits Flushing's condos and co-ops, and these cats usually settle into a busy building. They need daily play, portion control and secured windows to stay lean and safe. Cats vary, so match a particular cat's age and energy to your household.
Very little. Brush once or twice a week to remove loose hair, and a bit more often in spring, when the dense undercoat sheds, with a lighter shed in fall. Home brushing is already counted in the yearly Other costs, so most owners in Flushing don't need a professional groomer for this short coat.
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: New York Meow Sanctuary. 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 Flushing.
Expect about $25–$50 a month for food and $25–$50 for insurance, $150–$350 a year for routine vet care, and $450–$1,150 a year for everything else, including litter. That adds up to roughly $1,200–$2,700 a year, before the adoption fee shown on each listing.
Expand your search to find American Shorthairs available for adoption near Flushing.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Flushing.
