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Abyssinian cat

Abyssinian Cats for Adoption in Charlotte, NC

Your guide to finding and caring for an Abyssinian in Charlotte

Abyssinians do well in Charlotte as long as there's something tall to climb. That's easy in a Ballantyne apartment with a window perch or an Elizabeth Craftsman house with a cat tree by the front window, since Abys would rather watch the street from up high than nap in a lap. They're busy, curious and social, so they fit best with people who are home a fair amount and enjoy playing. Plan on a wand toy session every day.

173 Abyssinians available in Charlotte and nationwide

Find your forever Abyssinian

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

Abyssinians Available for Adoption Near Charlotte

About the Abyssinian breed

The Abyssinian is a medium, lithe, muscular cat, usually 6 to 12 pounds, with a short, silky coat in which each hair carries several bands of color. Ruddy, cinnamon (also called red or sorrel), blue and fawn are the standard colors. The breed was developed in Britain and is one of the oldest recognized, though its name points to Ethiopia.

The short coat needs only occasional brushing, and shedding is low to moderate. The bigger commitment is attention. Abys are agile, inquisitive and people-oriented, and many turn restless or mischievous without play and company. A second cat can help if the house is empty during workdays. Like any breed, cats vary, so spend time with the cat in front of you.

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 Charlotte

Having an Abyssinian in Charlotte

Abyssinians pair an easy-care short coat with a lot of energy and a need for company. In Charlotte, climbing space, daily play and a plan for hot summers and winter power outages matter more than square footage.

Temperament

Abyssinians are inquisitive, social and busy, often following their people from room to room. Many are affectionate without being lap cats, and some are shy with strangers at first. That suits a Charlotte household where someone is home often or another cat is around, though each cat's personality differs.

Exercise Needs

Plan on daily interactive play with wand toys, chase and fetch, plus puzzle feeders and tall cat trees. Indoors, perches and window views supply much of the climbing. Some Abys learn harness walking; if you try it, keep outings short and avoid hot pavement from June through September.

Health Considerations

Abyssinians can inherit pyruvate kinase deficiency, progressive retinal atrophy and kidney amyloidosis, and gum disease and kneecap problems also appear. DNA tests exist for some of these conditions. A veterinarian can check teeth, eyes, kneecaps and bloodwork, and regular dental care and yearly checkups help catch problems early.

Living Space

Apartment or house, an Abyssinian does well when it has vertical space. Cat trees, window perches and wall shelves count more than floor area, whether the home is an Uptown condo or a ranch house in Windsor Park. Indoor living or a secure catio keeps a curious climber safe.

What it costs to own an Abyssinian in Charlotte

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*$460 to $1,160 per year$460 to $1,160
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$1,270 to $2,830

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

* The $10 Charlotte cat license for a spayed or neutered cat, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, litter, toys, scratchers and cat trees, and occasional brushing.

Abyssinian cat

Adopt an Abyssinian in Charlotte.

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

Rescues and Shelters in or near Charlotte

Charlotte's cat adoption options include a city-county animal shelter, a nonprofit humane society and foster-based rescue groups. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Charlotte area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an Abyssinian is coming in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Charlotte has no breed-specific rules for cats, so an Abyssinian is treated like any other cat. You'll need a city license once the cat is four months old, plus a current rabies vaccination, and a lease that allows pets if you rent. A spayed or neutered cat's license costs $10 a year, versus $30 unaltered.

Yes, an Abyssinian can do well in a Charlotte apartment. Climbing room and daily play matter more than square footage, so budget for a tall cat tree, a window perch and puzzle feeders. Abys often enjoy company, so check whether the building allows two pets if you might add a companion later.

Mostly yes. Mild winters and long, comfortable spring and fall suit a short-coated indoor Abyssinian. The challenges are the hot, humid summer and storm-season power outages, so keep the air conditioning working, offer plenty of water, and stock a carrier plus a few days of food, litter and water. Keep the cat indoors during heat.

No. CATS bans animals on its vehicles except service animals and animals in training, and its code lists no carrier exception, so an Abyssinian can't ride the bus or LYNX light rail. A violation can bring a $50 civil penalty. For vet visits, plan on a car or a ride with someone.

Very little. The short, close-lying coat needs only occasional brushing, and shedding is low to moderate. Brushing can clear loose hair during Charlotte's humid summers, but no clipping is needed. Most grooming-related cost is nail trims and dental care, which fall within the roughly $460 to $1,160 yearly Other costs, so professional grooming is rarely necessary.

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.

Abyssinian cats were developed in Britain, but their name comes from Abyssinia, now Ethiopia, because some of the first cats shown in England were imported from there in the 1860s and 1870s. Genetic research suggests the breed's ancestors actually came from the Indian Ocean coastal regions and Southeast Asia, mixed with European cats.

Expect roughly $1,270 to $2,830 a year for an Abyssinian in Charlotte. That covers food at $25 to $50 a month, insurance at $30 to $60 a month, routine vet care of $150 to $350 a year, and about $460 to $1,160 in other yearly costs. Insurance is optional, and the adoption fee appears on each listing.

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