Your guide to finding and caring for a Devon Rex in Jackson
Devon Rexes make good apartment cats in Jackson, since they want company and a warm perch more than a big yard. In a Midtown flat or a downtown loft, this small, curious cat will claim the tallest shelf and follow you from room to room. Its thin coat keeps it indoors, which also keeps it clear of traffic. Jackson's long, humid summers suit a cat that loves warmth. Expect a lively roommate who wants a hand in everything you do.
Find your forever Devon Rex
While we don't have enough cats near Jackson, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 336 miles
Munchkin, Selkirk Rex
M, 3-7 y., 336 miles
Munchkin, Selkirk Rex
M, 7 mo., 418 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Lykoi
M, 7 mo., 418 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Lykoi
M, 3-7 y., 429 miles
Selkirk Rex, British Shorthair
F, 0-6 mo., 724 miles
Devon Rex, Domestic Short Hair
M, 12 y., 765 miles
Devon Rex, Domestic Short Hair
F, 12 y., 765 miles
Devon Rex, Domestic Short Hair
F, 3-7 y., 786 miles
Devon Rex
F, 4 mo., 1057 miles
Cornish Rex
The Devon Rex began around 1960 in Devon, England, with a curly-coated kitten named Kirlee, whose wavy fur came from a different gene than the Cornish Rex's. The result is an elfin cat with big low-set ears, wide eyes, a slender body and a short, soft, rippled coat. Whiskers are often crinkled, and the breed is nicknamed the "poodle cat."
Devons are playful, people-focused and often food-motivated, so they tend to learn tricks quickly and dislike long stretches alone. They shed less than most cats but aren't hypoallergenic, and the fine coat can bring oily skin and waxy ears. In a Jackson home with air conditioning, that thin coat is rarely a problem. Cats vary, so meeting one in person tells you more than any breed description.
Having a Devon Rex in Jackson
This is a lively, hands-on cat with a delicate coat and a few breed-linked health concerns. In Jackson, the main questions are whether you're home enough, can keep the cat comfortable through humid summers and occasional freezes, and enjoy daily play.
Devon Rexes are often clownish, affectionate and devoted, following their people from room to room and perching on shoulders. Many get along with respectful children, other cats and cat-friendly dogs. They tend to dislike long hours alone, so a Jackson household with someone home often, or a second cat, suits them. Personalities vary from cat to cat.
Most Devons are athletic climbers who need daily interactive play: wand toys, puzzle feeders, a tall cat tree and short treat-training sessions. Many learn to fetch. In Jackson's hot, wet months, indoor play does the work of the outdoors, and a window perch facing the yard adds entertainment. Activity also keeps these food-loving cats at a healthy weight.
Devon Rexes can inherit a muscle disorder that appears in kittenhood, and a DNA test exists. Heart disease, kneecap dislocation, skin yeast infections and congenital hair loss are also reported. Many have blood type B, which matters for transfusions. A veterinarian can check the heart, knees and skin at a first visit, and Jackson's humidity makes ongoing skin and ear checks worthwhile.
A Devon Rex does well in a small apartment or a house if it has vertical space, toys and company. Keep it indoors or in a secure catio, since its thin coat offers little protection from heat, sun or cold. Warm beds, a heated pad and a sunny window perch keep it comfortable.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $20 to $40 per month | $240 to $480 |
| Pet insurance | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $500 to $1,350 per year | $500 to $1,350 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,190 to $2,780 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, flea and tick prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, light coat care, and ear cleaning, baths and warm bedding for a thin-coated cat.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Jackson.
Jackson's city shelter has been closed since 2021, so local nonprofit rescues carry most of the area's cat adoptions. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Jackson area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Devon Rex is coming in.
Yes, a Devon Rex adapts well to Jackson apartments because it needs climbing space and company more than square footage. Put a tall cat tree by a window, rotate toys daily and plan on playtime when you're home. Before signing a lease, get the landlord's pet deposit, fee and monthly pet rent terms in writing.
Yes. Jackson has no breed ban, and its dangerous-dog rules are about behavior and apply to dogs, so a Devon Rex faces no breed restrictions. Jackson's code sets no published cap on household pets and no mandatory spay/neuter, though leases usually limit pets and adoption requirements often include sterilization. Cats do need a current rabies vaccination.
Yes, with air conditioning and some care. Devon Rexes love warmth, but Jackson's long, humid summers can still overheat a cat that's stuck in a stuffy room. Keep the home cool, offer fresh water in several spots and avoid hot, sunny windows in the afternoon. If power fails during a storm, move the cat to the coolest interior room.
A Devon Rex is a good fit if you're home often, enjoy interactive play and can keep a cat indoors. Jackson's heat and mild winters suit a warmth-loving cat, but spring storms, occasional ice storms and boil-water notices call for planning: a carrier, a few days of bottled water and a warm interior room.
Grooming is light but not zero. Skip the brush, which can break the fine coat, and stroke with your hand or a soft cloth instead. Jackson's humidity can make oily skin and waxy ears more noticeable, so plan on regular ear cleaning and an occasional bath at home. That fits comfortably within the Other costs line on this page.
Rarely, and it's best to plan on a car. Jackson's public transit is JTRAN buses with no rail, and whether a pet cat may ride depends on JTRAN's current rules, so confirm them first. Service animals are covered by the ADA. For vet visits, a hard-sided carrier in a car is calmer and safer.
No, Devon Rex cats are not hypoallergenic, and the CFA cat registry says so directly. They shed less than most cats, but the main cat allergen comes from saliva and skin glands, not hair alone. Some people with mild allergies find Devons easier to live with, but spending extended time with a specific cat before adopting is the safest approach.
A Devon Rex is a small, slender cat breed from England with a short, wavy, soft coat, very large ears and big eyes. It developed from a curly-coated kitten found in Devon around 1960. Devons are known for playful, people-loving personalities and are often described as acting more like dogs or monkeys than typical aloof cats.
Yes, Devon Rex cats shed, but much less than most cats. Their coat is short and sparse, with fewer guard hairs, so loose hair is less noticeable around the home. Some Devons go through thinner phases, particularly as kittens. Bald patches with redness, scabs or itching are not normal shedding and should be checked by a veterinarian.
A Devon Rex in Jackson typically costs about $20–$40 a month for food and $25–$50 a month for pet insurance. Routine vet care runs roughly $150–$350 a year, and other costs such as litter, flea prevention, dental care and warm bedding add about $500–$1,350 a year. Breed-linked health needs can push spending higher.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Jackson.
