Havana Cats for Adoption in Philadelphia, PA

Havanas tend to be affectionate and interactive, following people from room to room and greeting visitors with interest. Many get along with considerate children and calm dogs. Because they're so people-oriented, some get lonely during long workdays, so a Philly commuter may want a second cat or a plan for midday play. Temperament varies from cat to cat.

Most Havanas are moderately active and enjoy two or three short play sessions a day with wand toys, balls and puzzle feeders. In a rowhouse, a cat tree by a front window and a shelf along a stair wall add climbing room. Keep play indoors, where these curious cats are safest.

Havanas have no well-documented breed-specific genetic disease, though gum inflammation may be somewhat more common. Their small gene pool means health records are limited, so plan regular dental care and have a veterinarian examine a newly adopted cat. Philadelphia requires rabies vaccination for cats over 3 months old.

A Havana does well in a Philly apartment or a narrow rowhouse because companionship matters more than square footage. Window perches, a cat tree and a few hiding spots help. Rowhouse stairs rarely trouble a medium, agile cat. Plan on company for part of the day, since long stretches alone can bore a Havana.

Winter lows average about 28°F and highs about 44°F, with roughly 77 freezing nights a year at the airport. A short-coated Havana feels the cold, so expect it to claim sunny windowsills, heated spots and your lap. Add warm bedding away from drafts, and keep the cat inside and offer a quiet room during New Year's fireworks.

Spring runs from lows near 44°F to highs near 64°F, comfortable for a cat indoors. Curious Havanas are tempted by open windows, so fit sturdy screens before you air out a rowhouse. Tick season is underway, so keep up flea and tick prevention and check any cat that slips outside. Rain falls in every month here.

Summer highs average about 86°F, and the city sees around 30 days a year at 90°F or above, most of them in July. Heat can build in an upstairs rowhouse bedroom. Run fans or air conditioning, leave fresh water in several spots, and give the cat a cool tile floor or shaded corner. Never leave a cat in a parked car.

Fall highs reach about 67°F and lows about 50°F, an easy season for a Havana. Ticks stay active through October, so check any cat that spends time outside. Visitors and noisy holidays can unsettle a sociable cat, so offer a quiet room. As nights cool, bring out warmer bedding for your Havana's favorite spots.

Havanas do best as indoor cats, so most of their space is at home: a window onto the street, a cat tree and a quiet hiding spot. Philly's parks are set up around dogs on six-foot leashes, and a Havana doesn't need them. For fresh air, try a harness and supervised time on a stoop or a secure catio. Ticks and wildlife are good reasons not to let a cat roam.

Philadelphia licenses dogs, not cats, so a Havana needs no city license. Cats over 3 months old must be vaccinated for rabies. SEPTA allows pets only in a sturdy, nonobstructive carrier, which suits a 6 to 10 pound cat easily. The city's extreme-weather shelter rules cover dogs only, but a Havana belongs indoors in any weather.

Close to half of Philly households rent, and most homes are rowhouses, so expect party walls and stairs. A short-coated, medium-size Havana is usually an easy fit, though its chatter can carry through a shared wall. Pennsylvania caps security deposits at two months' rent in the first year, and pet deposits likely count toward that, so read the lease for pet fees.

A Havana typically costs about $1,200 to $2,700 a year in Philadelphia. Food runs $25 to $50 a month and pet insurance $25 to $50 a month. Routine vet care is $150 to $350 a year, and other costs such as litter, parasite prevention and dental care add $450 to $1,150 a year.