Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in Albuquerque
An American Shorthair suits Albuquerque's older neighborhoods and loft buildings well. In Huning Highlands or the Casa District Downtown, a calm cat that's happy on a window perch watching the street doesn't need a big place. These cats are sturdy, quiet and fairly self-sufficient, though they do need daily play to stay trim. Coyotes roam the city after dark, so an indoor life is the safer plan here, and it suits a cat that's content at home.
Adopt an American Shorthair today
While we don't have enough cats near Albuquerque, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 5 mo., 5 miles
American Shorthair
M, 5 mo., 5 miles
American Shorthair
M, 5 mo., 5 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 7 miles
American Shorthair, Domestic Short Hair
F, 0-6 mo., 225 miles
American Shorthair
F, 0-6 mo., 225 miles
American Shorthair
F, 0-6 mo., 225 miles
American Shorthair
M, 0-6 mo., 225 miles
American Shorthair
F, 0-6 mo., 225 miles
American Shorthair
F, 0-6 mo., 225 miles
American Shorthair
The American Shorthair descends from working cats that traveled with early settlers and then kept barns and homesteads clear of rodents. It became a recognized breed in the early 1900s, and the build shows it: a solid, muscular, medium-to-large cat with full cheeks and a thick, hard-textured coat that comes in dozens of colors, with silver tabby the classic.
Most are easygoing and quietly affectionate, happy to watch household life from a nearby chair. In Albuquerque, where many homes are older adobes and compact lofts, that steady manner travels well. They love hunting-style play and gain weight easily, so daily play and measured meals matter. Many shelter cats are random-bred shorthairs with a similar look, so a cat may share these traits without papers.
Having an American Shorthair in Albuquerque
Calm company, hunting-style play, a dense coat and a healthy appetite shape daily life with an American Shorthair. In Albuquerque, dry air, cold winter nights and nighttime coyotes also point toward an indoor life with plenty to do.
American Shorthairs are usually even-tempered and sociable without being clingy, which suits a quiet Downtown loft or a busy family house. Most prefer sitting beside you to being carried, and they tend to stay quiet. Introductions to children or calm dogs should be gradual, since each cat's history and socialization matter as much as breed.
Plan a couple of short play sessions a day with wand toys, chasing games and food puzzles. A window perch overlooking the street gives an indoor cat something to watch, and a tall cat tree helps burn energy. Because many are food-motivated, steady activity is the best defense against weight gain, especially in older cats.
American Shorthairs are generally robust, and obesity is the most common preventable problem. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease have been reported in the breed, so a veterinarian can listen to the heart and check the kidneys at the first exam. Dental care, measured meals and yearly checkups help. State law requires rabies vaccination.
Apartments and houses both work, as long as there are scratching posts, perches and hiding spots. Albuquerque's mix of compact lofts and older adobe cottages offers plenty of options, and a sunny window is prized by most cats. Secure windows and balconies, and consider an enclosed catio, since coyotes and rattlesnakes share the area.
| 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.
* Cat litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratching posts and other supplies, and simple brushing at home for a short coat.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have American Shorthairs available.
Albuquerque's city shelters and private nonprofits list cats of all ages, including shorthairs that share this breed's look. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Albuquerque area where you can find American Shorthairs and other cats available for adoption.
615 Virginia Street SE, Albuquerque
11800 Sunset Gardens SW, Albuquerque
3001 2nd St SW, Albuquerque
1005 Washington Street Southeast, Albuquerque
8920 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque
Albuquerque
P.O. Box 90394, Albuquerque
P.O. Box 3802, Albuquerque
PO Box 40189, Albuquerque
Albuquerque
Albuquerque
Albuquerque
Yes. Albuquerque has no breed restrictions on cats. You'll need to microchip your cat, keep its rabies vaccination current and have it spayed or neutered by five months unless you hold a $150 yearly intact permit. Households may keep six pets, no more than four of them dogs, and the city doesn't require a pet license.
Yes, American Shorthairs generally do well in apartments here. Their quiet, easygoing nature suits shared walls, and a window perch, a scratching post and a daily play session cover most needs. Secure windows and balconies, since cats are strong hunters and can bolt or fall. Lofts and older adobe cottages both work if there's room to climb.
Often, yes, for people who want a calm indoor companion. The breed adapts to apartments and houses, and the dry climate is easy on its dense coat. The tradeoffs are keeping the cat indoors, since coyotes are active at night, and providing daily play, since the breed gains weight easily. Each cat's personality still varies.
Mostly yes for an indoor cat. Summers are hot and dry but nights cool off, and about 93 nights a year reach freezing, which a dense coat handles well indoors. Spring wind and dust, monsoon thunderstorms and early-October Balloon Fiesta noise are the local stressors, so keep windows closed and offer a quiet hiding spot.
Not much. Brush once or twice a week with a rubber brush or comb, and more often in spring when the dense undercoat sheds. Albuquerque's very dry air can leave skin and coat a little dull, so keep fresh water available and watch for flaking. Most American Shorthairs never need professional grooming.
Not as pets. ABQ RIDE buses, including ART, allow only service animals, and the Rail Runner doesn't allow pets on the train. Comfort animals are permitted only in a carrier that fits on your lap or under a seat. For vet visits, plan on a car and a secure, well-ventilated carrier.
An American Shorthair is a pedigreed North American cat breed descended from the working cats that came over with European settlers to control rodents. It is a sturdy, muscular, medium-to-large cat with a round face, full cheeks and a thick short coat in many colors, most famously silver tabby. Many are calm, adaptable and quietly affectionate.
American Shorthairs shed a moderate amount. Their dense coat drops hair year-round, with a heavier shed in spring when the undercoat thins and a lighter one in fall. Brushing a few times a week with a slicker brush or grooming mitt keeps loose hair under control and reduces hairballs. Sudden bald patches or excessive shedding deserve a veterinary visit.
We have 2 rescues with American Shorthairs available: Animal Humane New Mexico and Albuquerque Animal Welfare - Westside. You can see every rescue with American Shorthairs available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the American Shorthairs near Albuquerque.
Plan on roughly $1,200 to $2,700 a year for an American Shorthair in Albuquerque. That covers food at $25 to $50 a month, insurance at $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care at $150 to $350 a year, and $450 to $1,150 a year for litter, parasite prevention, dental care and supplies. There's no city license fee.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Albuquerque.
