Devon Rex Cats for Adoption in Columbus, OH

Your guide to finding and caring for a Devon Rex in Columbus

A Devon Rex can do well in an Olde Towne East apartment. These cats care more about company and a high perch than floor space, so a unit in one of the older houses split into apartments can work fine. A Devon will follow you from room to room and claim the warmest spot, so have a heated bed ready for January. If you're out most of the day, it'll want a feline companion.

17 cats similar to Devon Rex available in Columbus and nationwide

Find your forever Devon Rex

While we don't have enough cats near Columbus, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.

Devon Rexes and Similar Breeds Available for Adoption Near Columbus

About the Devon Rex breed

The Devon Rex began around 1960 in Devon, England, when a curly-coated kitten named Kirlee turned up in a litter. His wavy fur came from a different gene than the Cornish Rex's, which is why the two are separate breeds. Devons have oversized ears, big eyes and a soft, sparse, rippled coat, and many have short, crinkled whiskers.

They're playful, people-focused cats that perch on shoulders and join whatever you're doing, and many are food-motivated and easy to teach tricks. The thin coat sheds less than most cats' but isn't hypoallergenic, and it leaves them chilly, oily-skinned and waxy-eared. In Columbus, that means an indoor life with a warm spot ready from late fall on. Personalities vary from cat to cat.

Weight
5–10 lbs
Height
10–12 in
Lifespan
9–15 yrs
Temperament
Playful, Affectionate, Curious
Shedding
Low

Owning a Devon Rex in Columbus

Having a Devon Rex in Columbus

Devons are lively, social cats with a delicate coat and a few breed-linked health concerns. In Columbus, the practical questions are how to keep one warm through long winters and how to keep it busy and in good company inside a rental.

Temperament

Devon Rexes tend to be outgoing, clownish and attached to their people, which suits a Columbus household where someone is home often. Many get along with respectful children and cat-friendly dogs. Most dislike long stretches alone, so a long commute may call for a second cat. Each cat's personality varies.

Exercise Needs

Most Devons are athletic and love climbing and interactive play. In a Columbus apartment, tall cat trees, wand toys and puzzle feeders stand in for outdoor roaming, and a window perch lets them watch the street. Daily play sessions matter, since food-loving Devons can gain weight without them.

Health Considerations

Devons can carry a hereditary muscle disorder, heart disease (HCM), kneecap problems and skin yeast infections. A veterinarian can check the heart, knees, skin and ears, and may suggest a DNA test. Dry winter indoor air can irritate skin, so mention flaky or greasy patches at checkups.

Living Space

Devons adapt well to apartments and houses as long as they have vertical space, toys and company. Keep them indoors or in a secure catio, since their thin coat gives little protection from cold or sun. A heated pad, warm bed or sunny window perch helps them stay comfortable.

What it costs to own a Devon Rex in Columbus

ExpenseTypical costPer 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.

Adopt a Devon Rex in Columbus.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Columbus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Columbus has no breed ban, and the city doesn't license cats. Any cat over three months old needs a rabies vaccination, and renters need a lease that allows pets. Devon Rexes are uncommon, so watch the listings on this page and save a search to hear when one is listed.

Yes, a Devon Rex does well in an apartment if it has vertical space, toys and company. Many Columbus households rent, so read your lease for pet rules, fees and rent before you adopt, since Ohio doesn't regulate pet charges separately. Add a tall cat tree and a window perch, and plan for someone to be home often.

Yes, as indoor cats with plenty of warmth. Freezing nights are common from November through March, and a Devon's thin coat offers little insulation. Provide a heated pad, blankets and a sunny perch, and keep drafty spots off limits. Never let a Devon outside in a cold snap, because it can chill quickly.

It can be, especially for people who are home often. Devons crave company and warmth, which suits a cozy rental, and an indoor Devon copes easily with Columbus summers. The trade-offs are long winters and a coat that needs extra warmth. If everyone is out all day, consider a second cat for company.

Only in a carrier. COTA runs buses, not rail, and pets can ride only inside a cage or case that fits on your lap. A small Devon can meet that rule in a snug, secure carrier. In winter, line the carrier with a blanket, and expect a nervous cat to need a calm, covered space.

Less brushing than most cats, but more skin and ear care. Stroke the coat by hand or with a soft cloth instead of a brush, wipe waxy ears regularly, and bathe when the skin turns greasy. Dry winter indoor air may call for gentler baths and warm drying. Those small costs fall under the Other line on this page.

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.

Yes, Devon Rex cats shed, but much less than most cats. Their coat is short and sparse, with fewer guard hairs, so loose hair is less noticeable around the home. Some Devons go through thinner phases, particularly as kittens. Bald patches with redness, scabs or itching are not normal shedding and should be checked by a veterinarian.

Expect about $20–$40 a month for food, $25–$50 a month for insurance, $150–$350 a year for routine vet care, and $500–$1,350 a year for everything else, including litter, dental care and warm bedding. That adds up to roughly $1,200 to $2,800 a year, before emergencies.