Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in Madison
American Shorthairs suit Madison's older flats and bungalows well, since they're happy to be indoor cats. In Tenney-Lapham or along Willy Street, a cat that's content with a window perch and a wand toy fits comfortably into a two-flat or a one-bedroom. Madison winters keep most cats inside for months anyway, and a steady, easygoing shorthair handles that without fuss. If you're adopting one here, plan on daily play so the long indoor stretch doesn't turn into extra pounds.
Adopt an American Shorthair today
While we don't have enough cats near Madison, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 801 miles
American Shorthair
F, 0-6 mo., 801 miles
American Shorthair
M, 3-7 y., 804 miles
American Shorthair
M, 3-7 y., 807 miles
American Shorthair
F, 1 y., 808 miles
Domestic Short Hair, American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 810 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 810 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 811 miles
American Shorthair
F, 3-7 y., 811 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 811 miles
American Shorthair
American Shorthairs descend from European working cats that crossed the Atlantic with settlers to protect food stores from rodents, then guarded barns and homesteads. The breed took its current name in the mid-1960s. It's a solid, muscular, medium-to-large cat with a broad face, full cheeks and a dense, hard-textured coat in dozens of colors, the silver classic tabby being the best known.
Most American Shorthairs are easygoing and quietly affectionate, happy to sit beside you rather than on you. They enjoy hunting-style play and tend to gain weight without it. Many shorthaired cats in shelters are random-bred domestic shorthairs with a similar look and temperament, so in Madison you may meet cats listed under either name. Each cat's personality still varies.
Having an American Shorthair in Madison
Calm, sturdy and sociable, the American Shorthair is an easy match for city life as long as hunting-style play and portion control are part of the routine. These traits also shape what to look for when meeting an adult cat or kitten.
American Shorthairs tend to be even-tempered and quietly sociable, which suits Madison's mix of student flats, family bungalows and busy households. Many are happy to watch the street from a window rather than demand constant attention. A cat's personality depends on history and socialization as much as breed, so spend time with the cat before deciding.
Aim for two or three short play sessions a day with wand toys, chase games and food puzzles. Madison's long winters mean most exercise happens indoors, so a tall cat tree and a window perch help. Because many American Shorthairs love food and move at a moderate pace, regular play is the best defense against weight gain.
American Shorthairs are generally sturdy, and obesity is the most common preventable concern. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease have been reported in the breed, so a veterinarian can check heart and kidney health after adoption. Measured meals, dental care and regular exams go a long way.
Madison's compact flats, condos and rental houses work well for this adaptable breed. Provide scratching posts, perches and hiding spots, and secure windows and balconies. An indoor life or a secure catio keeps these strong hunters safe from traffic and from coyotes, which live in the city, and protects local birds.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $25 to $125, one time | $25 to $125 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* | $475 to $1,175 per year | $475 to $1,175 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,225 to $2,725 | |
| First-year total (with adoption fee) | $1,250 to $2,850 | |
Adoption fee is the range of fees on American Shorthair listings in Madison on GetBuddy today. Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Cat litter, the $25 Madison cat license for a spayed or neutered cat, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratching posts and other supplies, and simple brushing at home.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have American Shorthairs available.
Madison has a county humane society and volunteer rescues working to match cats and kittens with new homes. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Madison area where you can find American Shorthairs and other cats available for adoption.
Yes, and no known Madison breed rules apply to American Shorthairs. Buy the city license online, by mail or at the City-County Building, and bring proof of rabies vaccination, plus spay or neuter proof if you claim the lower rate. Licensing is required from 5 months of age. Keep the cat leashed or in a carrier off your property.
Yes, the breed's calm, adaptable nature suits Madison apartments, from downtown high-rises to older two-flats. Provide vertical space, scratching posts and daily play, and screen windows and balconies. Read your lease for pet terms before you adopt, and trim nails regularly to protect floors and your deposit.
Yes, for an indoor cat. Winters are long and snowy, but a heated home with a sunny window perch is comfortable for this dense-coated breed, and summers stay mild. The main watch-outs are winter weight gain from less activity and stress during summer thunderstorms or fireworks around July 4.
Yes, in a carrier. Metro buses, including Rapid Route A, allow caged pets that fit on your lap, and other animals are barred except service animals. Choose a sturdy, well-ventilated carrier small enough to hold on your knees, and practice at home first so trips to the veterinarian go smoothly.
Often yes, especially for renters and people who want a calm, low-fuss companion. The breed copes with long indoor winters if play is regular, and it's content in walkable near-east and near-west neighborhoods where space is tight. It's a weaker match if nobody can commit to daily play and measured meals.
Not much: brushing once or twice a week handles the short, dense coat, with extra sessions during the spring undercoat shed. Madison's dry winter indoor air can leave skin flaky, so keep brushing and trim nails regularly. Home grooming is usually enough, so costs stay low.
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: Shelter From The Storm. 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 Madison.
For an adult American Shorthair in Madison, expect roughly $25–$50 a month for food and $25–$50 for optional insurance. Routine vet care runs about $150–$350 a year, while other costs, including litter, flea prevention, dental cleanings, supplies and the city license, come to about $475–$1,175 a year.
Expand your search to find American Shorthairs available for adoption near Madison.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Madison.
