Your guide to finding and caring for a Devon Rex in NYC
Devon Rexes fit NYC apartment life well, as long as someone's home often. They're small climbers happy with a sunny window in a Hunters Point one-bedroom or a tall cat tree in a Ridgewood walk-up, and they'll follow you from room to room. Winter matters more for them than for most cats, since that thin coat feels the cold. Because Devons dislike long empty days, they suit remote workers and couples better than anyone out from early morning to late night.
Find your forever Devon Rex
While we don't have enough cats near New York, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
The Devon Rex began around 1960 in Devon, England, with a curly-coated kitten named Kirlee. Its wavy fur comes from a different gene than the Cornish Rex's. Expect huge ears, big eyes, a slender frame and a soft, sparse coat, often with crinkled whiskers. Adults typically weigh 5 to 10 pounds.
In a city apartment, personality counts for more than looks. Devons tend to be playful, food-motivated and eager to learn tricks, and they like being part of whatever's happening, including your laptop and your shoulder. The coat sheds less than most cats' but isn't hypoallergenic, and skin can get oily and ears waxy, so expect some regular cleaning. Every cat is different, so a cat's own behavior tells you more than the breed label.
Having a Devon Rex in NYC
Devon Rexes pair playful, people-hungry energy with a delicate coat and a few inherited health concerns. In a New York apartment, that means plenty of company, vertical space and warmth, plus regular vet checkups to catch problems early.
Devons are often outgoing, clownish and deeply attached, which suits NYC households where someone works from home or keeps flexible hours. Many get along with respectful kids, other cats and cat-friendly dogs. Expect a cat that wants to be on your lap, shoulder or keyboard. Personalities vary, so a cat's own behavior is the best guide.
Plan on daily interactive play: wand toys, puzzle feeders and short treat-training sessions. In a small apartment, a tall cat tree, wall shelves or a window perch give a Devon room to climb and watch the street. Many learn to fetch. Regular activity also keeps these food-loving cats from gaining weight.
Devon Rexes can carry a hereditary muscle disorder that shows up in kittenhood and has a DNA test. Heart disease, kneecap problems, skin yeast infections and hair loss are also reported, and some cats have blood type B. Schedule a vet exam soon after adoption and keep up yearly checkups so a veterinarian can watch for these conditions.
A Devon adapts well to NYC apartments, from studios to larger homes, if it has vertical space, toys and company. Keep it indoors, since a thin coat offers little protection against cold or sun. Secure window screens keep a curious climber safe on upper floors.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $20 to $40 per month | $240 to $480 |
| Pet insurance | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $500 to $1,350 per year | $500 to $1,350 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,190 to $2,780 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, litter, toys and bedding, light coat care, and ear cleaning, baths and warm bedding for a thin-coated cat.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Devon Rexes available.
These NYC shelters and rescues list cats for adoption, and their available pets change often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the NYC area where you can find Devon Rexes and other cats available for adoption.
New York
New York
326 East 110 Street, New York
PO Box 30349, New York
New York
New York
New York
44 Union Square East, New York
New York
2 King Street, New York
501 Fifth Avenue, New York
P.O. Box 11, New York
2098 8th Avenue, New York
New York
New York
152 West 24th Street, New York
New York
New York
New York
P.O. Box 1345, New York
New York
New York
New York
New York
New York
New York
New York
P.O. Box 7384, New York
New York
New York
P.O. Box 701 Throggs Neck Station, New York
Yes, a Devon Rex is a good match for NYC apartments, since it's small and climbs rather than roams. What matters more than square footage is vertical space, daily play and company, because Devons dislike long stretches alone. Add secure window screens, a tall cat tree and a warm bed, and even a studio can work well.
Yes, as long as the cat is fully enclosed. The MTA requires pets on the subway and buses to be in a bag or other container, carried so it doesn't annoy other riders. Choose a sturdy, ventilated carrier and let your Devon get comfortable in it at home first. A covered carrier also helps in winter.
Yes. NYC has no breed-specific ownership rules, and the city licenses only dogs, so there's no cat license to buy. State law does require rabies vaccination. Your lease matters more than city law, so read your building's pet rules, and remember NYCHA public housing allows one cat or dog per household.
Often, yes, for someone who's home a fair amount. Devons are small, adaptable and happy in compact spaces, and they love attention. They're a harder fit for long commutes and heavy travel schedules, since they dislike being alone. If your days are mostly away, consider a second cat for company or a more independent breed.
Yes, but only indoors. NYC winters average about 30°F to 42°F, and a Devon's thin coat means it relies on warm spots rather than fur. Provide a heated pad or fleece bed away from drafty windows. For carrier trips, use a covered bag, and wipe paws afterward since sidewalks are salted in winter.
Less brushing than most cats, but regular care. Skip the brush, which can break the delicate coat, and use your hand or a soft cloth instead. Plan on ear cleaning and an occasional bath for oily skin, and watch for flaky skin in dry winter heat. Light coat care is part of the Other costs, about $0 to $50 a year.
No, Devon Rex cats are not hypoallergenic, and the CFA cat registry says so directly. They shed less than most cats, but the main cat allergen comes from saliva and skin glands, not hair alone. Some people with mild allergies find Devons easier to live with, but spending extended time with a specific cat before adopting is the safest approach.
A Devon Rex is a small, slender cat breed from England with a short, wavy, soft coat, very large ears and big eyes. It developed from a curly-coated kitten found in Devon around 1960. Devons are known for playful, people-loving personalities and are often described as acting more like dogs or monkeys than typical aloof cats.
We have 1 rescue with Devon Rexes available: Ready For Rescue. You can see every rescue with Devon Rexes available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the Devon Rexes near New York.
Expect roughly $1,190 to $2,780 a year before emergencies, using the table's ranges: food at $20 to $40 a month, insurance at $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care at $150 to $350 a year, and other costs at $500 to $1,350 a year. NYC doesn't license cats, so there's no license fee.
Expand your search to find Devon Rexes available for adoption near New York.
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