Your guide to finding and caring for a Burmilla in LA
Adopting a Burmilla in LA means looking to shelters and rescues, where this uncommon silvery-coated cat turns up only occasionally. Check the listings on this page often, and consider the six city animal centers, where adopted cats go home spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. A Burmilla's easygoing, people-loving nature suits compact LA homes, and its mild-weather needs are simple.
Meet your next Burmilla
M, 4 y., 7 miles
Bombay, American Shorthair
F, 3-7 y., 7 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 7 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
F, 6 mo., 7 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bombay
M, 6 mo., 7 miles
Domestic Medium Hair, Bombay
F, 6 mo., 7 miles
Domestic Medium Hair, Bombay
M, 4 y., 7 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bombay
M, 3 y., 8 miles
Bombay
F, 1 y., 8 miles
Bombay
M, 7 mo., 8 miles
Bombay
The Burmilla began with an accidental mating in Britain in 1981 between a Chinchilla Persian and a lilac Burmese, and its name blends the two. Medium-sized at roughly 6 to 13 pounds, it has green, dark-rimmed eyes and a shimmering coat that is pale at the roots and tipped or shaded with color.
Many Burmillas pair Burmese playfulness with Persian calm, staying kittenish into adulthood without being demanding. They are usually quiet and people-oriented, and the short or semi-long silky coat needs only weekly combing. That makes a Burmilla a manageable companion for a small home in LA, though each cat's own personality matters more than the breed label.
Having a Burmilla in LA
Playful but not frantic, affectionate but not clingy: a Burmilla can fit LA's busy, compact-home lifestyle well. Here is what to know about play, health and space, and how each one plays out in the city.
Burmillas tend to be sweet, curious and sociable, and many are comfortable alone during a workday, which helps LA commuters. They often accept respectful children and cat-friendly dogs after slow introductions. Every cat differs, so spend time with a shelter cat and ask staff how the cat handles visitors, handling and noise.
Plan on a few short sessions of wand-toy or chase play each day, plus climbing and food puzzles. Indoors, vertical space does much of the work: a cat tree beside a sunny window gives a Burmilla something to watch and climb. Rotate toys weekly so a playful adult stays interested.
Burmillas can inherit polycystic kidney disease and the Burmese head defect, and both have DNA tests, so ask what testing or records exist. Many cats never develop either. Plan on yearly exams, dental care and weight checks. LA Animal Services adoptions include a free exam within three working days at a participating vet.
Burmillas fit well in LA's mix of apartments and houses as long as there are window perches, climbing spots and a quiet retreat. Screen windows and balconies, and keep any outdoor time to a secure enclosure or harness walks, since a curious, friendly cat may wander off.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratchers and cat trees, and weekly combing supplies.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Los Angeles.
LA is served by six city animal centers and many independent rescues, with cats of all ages and looks to meet. Here are the rescues & shelters in the LA area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Burmilla is coming in.
Los Angeles
1845 Pontius Ave, Los Angeles
1850 W. 60th St., Los Angeles
Los Angeles
2106 South Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles
Los Angeles
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Los Angeles
3201 Lacy Street, Los Angeles
11361 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles
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Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
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Los Angeles
Yes. LA's pet rules don't single out any breed, so you can adopt a Burmilla as long as you follow the general rules. Cats over 4 months must be spayed or neutered, there is no city cat license, and a household can keep up to five cats. Burmillas are uncommon, so watch shelter and rescue listings and stay open to similar-looking cats.
Yes. A Burmilla's moderate size, quiet nature and tolerance for workday alone time suit apartment life, provided it has climbing space and daily play. Ask the landlord about cat policies before applying. From April 1, 2027, California landlords must provide a written pet policy with rental applications, which should make those rules easier to check.
Usually yes indoors, but heat needs attention. Coastal LA stays mild, while the Valley gets far hotter, and hot days run from August into October. Keep a Burmilla in a cool room with fresh water, never shave the coat, and watch for heavy panting or unsteadiness. Keep windows screened and never leave a cat in a parked car.
Yes, in a carrier. Metro allows pets on trains and buses only in a secure carrier made for that purpose, and you must keep control of the cat and clean up any mess. At 6 to 13 pounds, a Burmilla fits a standard carrier. Check current fare rules with Metro before your first ride.
Weekly combing is usually enough for a Burmilla's short or semi-long silky coat, with a little extra during heavier shedding. LA's mild climate adds no special coat care, and you should never shave a cat for the heat. Home grooming supplies fall under the yearly Other costs, so a professional groomer is optional.
Often, yes. A Burmilla's sociable, adaptable nature suits LA's compact homes and busy schedules, and mild winters mean little cold-weather care. Plan for hot days, July 4th fireworks and wildfire smoke by keeping a quiet room, current microchip details and a carrier ready. Meet the cat first, since personalities vary.
No, Burmilla cats are not hypoallergenic. They shed like other cats, and the main cat allergen, a protein found in saliva and skin secretions, spreads onto the coat during grooming. There is no evidence that Burmillas produce less of it. People with allergies should spend extended time with the specific cat before adopting and discuss options with their doctor.
Burmilla cats typically live about 10 to 15 years, and many healthy indoor cats reach their mid-teens or beyond. Lifespan depends on genetics, weight, dental care and access to veterinary care. Inherited kidney disease from Persian ancestry can shorten life, so scheduling regular blood and urine tests as the cat ages is worthwhile.
A Burmilla is a medium-sized cat breed created in Britain from a cross between a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese. It is known for a sparkling silver or golden coat tipped or shaded with color, green eyes rimmed in dark outlines, and a playful, gentle personality. Burmillas come in shorthaired and semi-longhaired varieties.
Expect roughly $1,200 to $2,700 a year for a Burmilla in LA: food at $25–$50 a month, insurance at $25–$50 a month, routine vet care at $150–$350 a year, and $450–$1,150 a year for litter, parasite prevention, dental care, supplies and coat care. Actual quotes vary by clinic and policy.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Los Angeles.
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