GetBuddy Logo
Abyssinian cat

Abyssinian Cats for Adoption in Atlanta, GA

Your guide to finding and caring for an Abyssinian in Atlanta

Abyssinians suit Atlanta's intown condos and lofts, as long as there's something tall to climb. A Midtown high-rise or a West Midtown loft gives an Aby big windows to watch from and plenty of rooms to patrol. Expect a cat that follows you from room to room and wants a game of chase most evenings. That makes the breed a good match if you work from home or already have a second cat. Many Abys also settle happily into a Virginia-Highland bungalow with a sunny window and a tall cat tree.

173 Abyssinians available in Atlanta and nationwide

Find your forever Abyssinian

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

Abyssinians Available for Adoption Near Atlanta

About the Abyssinian breed

The Abyssinian is a medium, lithe, fine-boned cat, usually 6 to 12 pounds, with a short, silky ticked coat in which each hair carries several bands of color. Large cupped ears and almond eyes give it an alert, wildcat look. The name points to Abyssinia, now Ethiopia, but genetic research suggests the breed's roots lie along the Indian Ocean coast and in Southeast Asia, and it was developed in Britain.

Abys are busy, curious and athletic, and they like to be involved in whatever you're doing. Many are affectionate without being lap cats, and some are shy with strangers at first. In Atlanta, that energy usually goes into climbing, so a tall cat tree by a window and daily interactive play go a long way. The short coat needs little more than occasional brushing, though every cat varies.

Weight
6–12 lbs
Height
8–10 in
Lifespan
9–15 yrs
Temperament
Active, Curious, Playful, Social
Shedding
Low to Moderate

Owning an Abyssinian in Atlanta

Having an Abyssinian in Atlanta

Abyssinians pair high energy and constant curiosity with an easy-care coat. How much play they need, how they handle time alone and which inherited conditions to watch for are the main things to weigh before adopting one in Atlanta.

Temperament

Abys are inquisitive, social and busy, often shadowing their people through the apartment. Many are affectionate on their own terms rather than lap cats, and some are shy with visitors at first. They usually enjoy other cats and gentle children. Personalities vary, so spend time with the cat in front of you before deciding.

Exercise Needs

Plan on daily interactive play, such as wand toys, fetch and chase games, plus puzzle feeders to keep their minds busy. In Atlanta's condos and townhomes, tall cat trees and wall shelves provide the climbing. Some Abys learn to walk in a harness for supervised outings. A bored Aby often invents its own mischief.

Health Considerations

Abyssinians can inherit pyruvate kinase deficiency, progressive retinal atrophy and kidney amyloidosis, and gum disease and kneecap problems also appear in the breed. DNA tests exist for some of these conditions. A veterinarian can check the teeth, eyes, kneecaps and bloodwork, and regular dental care helps. Keep up flea prevention through Atlanta's long warm season.

Living Space

An Abyssinian fits a Midtown condo or an intown house equally well when there's vertical space: cat trees, window perches and wall shelves matter more than floor area. Keep it indoors or in a secure catio, since coyotes have been reported intown. Homes where someone is around often, or with a second cat, suit it best.

What it costs to own an Abyssinian in Atlanta

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Food$25 to $50 per month$300 to $600
Pet insurance$30 to $60 per month$360 to $720
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)$1,260 to $2,820

Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* Flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, litter, toys, scratchers and cat trees, and occasional brushing for a short coat.

Abyssinian cat

Adopt an Abyssinian in Atlanta.

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

Rescues and Shelters in or near Atlanta

Shelters and rescues across Fulton and DeKalb counties list their adoptable cats here, and the lineup changes often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Atlanta area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an Abyssinian is coming in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can. Atlanta has no breed ban, so an Abyssinian is treated like any other cat. Fulton County requires pets to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies, and parts of east Atlanta fall under DeKalb County instead. Pet stores in the city can't sell cats, so adopting through the shelters and rescues listed on this page is the way to go.

Yes, an Abyssinian does well in an apartment or condo, and intown Atlanta has plenty of both. What matters is vertical space: a tall cat tree, window perches and wall shelves, plus daily wand-toy or chase play. Abys aren't especially talkative, which helps in shared buildings, but a bored one may get noisy or destructive. A second cat can keep it occupied.

It can be, if you can give it company and play. An Abyssinian suits Atlanta households where someone is home often, or where a second cat keeps it busy, and it handles condos and houses alike when it has places to climb. It's a weaker fit for long, empty days, since many Abys dislike being alone for hours.

Mostly yes, for an indoor cat. Atlanta summers peak near 90°F in July and August with warm, humid nights, so keep the air conditioning on. Winters are mild but freeze on many nights, and an Abyssinian's short, fine coat gives little warmth, so offer a cozy bed. Occasional ice storms can cut power, so keep supplies on hand.

Very little. An Abyssinian's short, close-lying coat needs only occasional brushing, and shedding is low to moderate. Atlanta's heat doesn't change that. Dental care matters more, since gum disease appears in the breed. Those small costs fall within the Other line, about $450 to $1,150 a year, alongside litter and flea prevention.

Only in a secure, rigid carrier with a lock or latch. MARTA allows non-service animals on its trains, streetcar and buses only when confined this way, and service animals are the only ones permitted to ride unconfined. Most Abyssinians, at roughly 6 to 12 pounds, fit a carrier comfortably, and a covered carrier helps a curious cat stay calm.

Abyssinian is pronounced ab-ih-SIN-ee-un, with the stress on the third syllable, SIN. The name refers to Abyssinia, the historical name for Ethiopia. Many owners simply shorten it to Aby, pronounced AB-ee. You may also hear the breed's ticked coat colors called ruddy, cinnamon or sorrel, blue and fawn.

An Abyssinian is a medium-sized shorthaired cat breed known for its ticked coat, in which each hair has bands of color that create a warm, glowing look. It has large ears, almond-shaped eyes and a lean, muscular body. Developed in Britain in the 1800s, it is one of the oldest recognized breeds and is famous for being active and curious.

Yes, Abyssinian cats shed, but usually only lightly to moderately because of their short, close-lying coat. Shedding may increase seasonally. Combing or brushing a few times a month controls loose hair, and a damp cloth or chamois rubbed over the coat adds shine. Sudden heavy shedding or bald patches should be checked by a veterinarian.

Expect roughly $1,260 to $2,820 a year for an Abyssinian in Atlanta. That covers food at $25 to $50 a month, insurance at $30 to $60 a month, routine vet care at $150 to $350 a year, and about $450 to $1,150 a year for litter, flea prevention, dental care and supplies. Adoption fees appear on the listings.

Find Abyssinians in Nearby Cities

Expand your search to find Abyssinians available for adoption near Atlanta.

Explore Other Breeds in Atlanta

Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Atlanta.