Your guide to finding and caring for a Burmilla in Atlanta
Burmillas fit Atlanta apartment life well, from a Midtown high-rise to a West End bungalow. They're playful without being frantic, so a window perch over Peachtree Street or a screened porch view is often enough entertainment between play sessions. Most are happy to nap through a workday and greet you at the door afterward. Because Atlanta summers run hot and humid, a Burmilla's indoor routine matters, with a cool room and daily wand-toy time.
Meet your next Burmilla
While we don't have enough cats near Atlanta, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 0-6 mo., 2 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
F, 3-7 y., 2 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 3-7 y., 6 miles
Bombay, American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 6 miles
Bombay, American Shorthair
F, 0-6 mo., 10 miles
Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 30 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
F, 1 y., 40 miles
Bombay
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 43 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bombay
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 69 miles
Bombay, Domestic Medium Hair
M, 2 y., 85 miles
Bombay
The Burmilla began with an accidental mating in Britain in 1981, when a Chinchilla Persian male met a lilac Burmese female and produced four shaded silver kittens. The name blends Burmese and Chinchilla. These medium-sized, muscular cats have green eyes rimmed in dark color, as if wearing eyeliner, and a shimmering coat that's pale at the roots and shaded or tipped with color.
Many combine the Burmese's sociable, playful streak with the Persian's mellow calm, staying kittenish well into adulthood without being demanding. They're usually quiet and people-oriented, and many are comfortable with other pets. Both shorthaired and semi-longhaired coats are easy to keep up with a weekly comb. The breed is uncommon in North America, so Burmillas show up only occasionally, and a shelter cat that resembles one may also be a mix.
Having a Burmilla in Atlanta
A Burmilla balances playfulness and affection with modest grooming needs. In Atlanta, that mostly means a cat who copes well with apartment living and workdays, as long as the home is cool, enriching and safely indoors.
Burmillas are often sweet-natured, curious and sociable, greeting visitors and settling near their people without constant demands. Many get along with respectful children, other cats and cat-friendly dogs after gradual introductions. A busy Atlanta household usually suits them, though each cat's comfort with handling and noise matters more than breed expectations.
Most Burmillas enjoy short bursts of energetic play followed by long naps. Wand toys, chase games and climbing trees satisfy their athletic side, while food puzzles keep them curious. In Atlanta's hot, humid summers and icy winter spells, indoor play does most of the work, so schedule a few daily sessions and rotate toys.
Burmillas can inherit polycystic kidney disease from their Persian ancestors, along with the Burmese head defect; both have DNA tests. Not every cat will develop problems. A veterinarian can discuss testing, and regular exams, dental care and weight checks matter as the cat ages. Year-round flea prevention is sensible in Atlanta's mild, humid climate.
A Burmilla can thrive in an Atlanta high-rise, loft or bungalow when there are climbing spots, window perches and a quiet place to rest. Many cope well with a workday alone. Screen windows and balconies, and keep outdoor time to a harness or secure enclosure, since coyotes live in the city.
| 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 for a short or semi-long coat.
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.
Shelters and rescues on both Fulton and DeKalb sides of Atlanta care for cats of every age, breed and mix. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Atlanta area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Burmilla is coming in.
Atlanta
Atlanta
5 Queen Anne Place NW, Atlanta
1551 Perry Blvd NW, Atlanta
1251 Fulton Industrial Boulevard, Atlanta
3180 Presidential Drive, Atlanta
Atlanta
Atlanta
Atlanta
Yes, a Burmilla can do well in an Atlanta apartment. They're medium, fairly quiet cats that enjoy window perches and climbing trees, and many cope with a workday alone. About half of Atlanta households rent, so confirm the building's pet rules and deposit terms before signing, and screen windows and balconies.
Often, yes, if you want a sociable, playful cat who stays indoors. A Burmilla copes with Atlanta's hot summers in air conditioning and tolerates mild winters. It does best with daily play, a cool home and a safe plan for storms and fireworks. Each cat differs, so meet the cat's personality, not just the breed.
Yes. Atlanta's code has no known breed ban that would affect a Burmilla, and pet stores can't sell cats there. Fulton County requires dogs and cats to be licensed and rabies-vaccinated, so keep tags on the collar. Renters should also check their lease for pet deposits and rent.
Only in a carrier. MARTA trains and buses allow pets only in a secure, rigid carrier with a lock or latch the cat can't escape, while service animals may ride unconfined. A medium Burmilla fits that rule with a roomy hard carrier, so practice at home first to keep trips calmer.
Yes, indoors. Atlanta's July and August highs reach about 90 degrees with warm, humid nights, so keep the home air-conditioned, offer plenty of water and shade sunny windows. Never leave a Burmilla in a parked car. Keep it inside around July 4 fireworks, with ID and a microchip, since scared pets often bolt.
Very little. A weekly comb handles both the short and semi-long coats, and a bit more during seasonal shedding or pollen season. Humid Atlanta weather doesn't change that. Most owners groom at home, and combing is part of the yearly Other costs, so professional grooming is rarely needed.
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.
Plan on roughly $25–50 a month for food and $25–50 a month for pet insurance. Routine vet care runs about $150–350 a year, and other yearly costs, including litter, flea prevention, dental care and supplies, run about $450–1,150. Costs vary with the cat's age and health, and unexpected vet bills are possible.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Atlanta.
Bombay4 available
Domestic Short Hair614 available
Domestic Medium Hair38 available
Tabby8 available
American Bobtail6 available
American Shorthair6 available
Domestic Long Hair6 available
Siamese6 available
Calico3 available
Dilute Calico2 available
Tortoiseshell2 available
Japanese Bobtail1 available
Maine Coon1 available
Norwegian Forest Cat1 available
Russian Blue1 available
Tuxedo1 available