Bombay Cats for Adoption in Indianapolis, IN

Your guide to finding and caring for a Bombay in Indy

A Bombay suits an Indy apartment or duplex well, as long as someone is home for part of the day. These sleek black cats are social and playful, so a Mapleton-Fall Creek duplex with a sunny window perch or a Castleton apartment with a tall cat tree works nicely. Many Bombays follow their person from room to room and settle into a lap in the evening. What they don't enjoy is long, quiet days alone. Keeping them indoors also keeps them away from the coyotes that live even in urban Indianapolis.

584 Bombays available in Indianapolis and nationwide

Open your home to a Bombay

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

Bombays Available for Adoption Near Indianapolis

About the Bombay breed

The Bombay was developed in the United States starting in the 1950s, when Nikki Horner of Kentucky crossed sable Burmese with black American Shorthairs. She wanted a cat that looked like a small black panther. The result is a medium-sized, muscular cat that feels heavier than it looks, with a short satin coat that is black to the roots, a black nose and paw pads, and round eyes that run from gold to deep copper.

Most Bombays are affectionate, curious and a little dog-like, and some learn fetch or harness walking. Pedigreed Bombays are uncommon in shelters, and many sleek black cats listed under this name are domestic shorthairs with the same look. For an Indianapolis adopter, the cat's own personality matters more than the label, so spend time with a cat before deciding.

Weight
6–12 lbs
Height
8–10 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Temperament
Affectionate, Social, Playful
Shedding
Low

Owning a Bombay in Indianapolis

Having a Bombay in Indy

The glossy black coat is simple to care for, but a Bombay's attachment to people takes real time. Think about how much company, play and food control your Indianapolis household can offer, then look for a cat whose habits fit.

Temperament

Bombays tend to be affectionate, outgoing and eager to be part of whatever you're doing, and many greet visitors instead of hiding. Some bond closely with one person and dislike being alone all day. Many accept other cats and calm dogs after slow introductions. Each cat's history and socialization shape its behavior, and some take longer to warm up.

Exercise Needs

Most Bombays enjoy daily play with wand toys, chase games and fetch, and some take to harness walks with patient training. In Indianapolis, winter snow and icy sidewalks make indoor play the reliable option, so keep food puzzles and a climbing tree handy. Regular play also helps control weight in a muscular, food-motivated cat.

Health Considerations

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been reported in Bombays, and some have watery eyes that need occasional wiping. They can gain weight easily, which raises the risk of diabetes and joint strain. Regular veterinary exams, measured meals and dental care help, and a vet can check the heart and weight after adoption. Keeping a cat indoors in Indianapolis also reduces risks from traffic and coyotes.

Living Space

A Bombay can do well in an Indianapolis apartment, duplex or house when it has company, play and places to climb. Window perches, cat trees and scratching posts matter more than floor space. Because many crave attention, a home where someone is around part of the day often suits them, and indoor living keeps them safe.

What it costs to own a Bombay in Indianapolis

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.

* Litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratchers and other supplies, and minimal home grooming for the short coat.

Adopt a Bombay in Indianapolis.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a Bombay can ride IndyGo buses, including the Red and Purple Line rapid-transit routes, when it travels in a carrying case. IndyGo allows service animals and other pets in a carrier. Choose a closed, well-ventilated, leak-proof carrier that fits on your lap or beside your feet, and check current fares and rules with IndyGo.

Yes, as indoor cats. Indianapolis winters bring about 105 freezing nights and roughly 25 inches of snow a year, and a Bombay's short coat gives little insulation. Keep it inside, add a warm bed away from drafts, and offer a sunny window perch. Short harness outings are best saved for milder days.

Yes. Indianapolis has no breed restrictions and no general cat license. The city requires permanent identification such as a microchip, and Indiana requires rabies vaccination for cats three months and older. The city sets no fixed cap on cats, but a landlord might, so confirm your lease before adopting.

Yes, a Bombay can live comfortably in an Indianapolis apartment if it has company, play and vertical space. Window perches, a cat tree and daily wand-toy sessions matter more than square footage. Most do best when someone is home part of the day, since many dislike long hours alone.

A Bombay often fits Indy well if you're home some of the day and enjoy interactive play. Its short coat suits cold winters indoors, and it adapts to apartments or houses. It may not suit a household away for long, quiet days, since many Bombays want constant company.

Very little. A Bombay's short, satiny coat needs only a weekly rub with a soft brush or damp cloth, and shedding is low. Winter's dry indoor air can add dander, so brush a bit more often then. Any professional grooming is covered by the Other line in the cost table.

Expect roughly $25 to $50 a month for food, $30 to $60 for insurance, $150 to $350 a year for routine vet care, and $450 to $1,150 a year for other costs such as litter and prevention. Together that comes to about $1,260 to $2,820 a year. Indianapolis requires no cat license fee.

Find Bombays in Nearby Cities

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