Your guide to finding and caring for an Abyssinian in Virginia Beach
Abyssinians fit Virginia Beach apartments and townhouses nicely, as long as there's something tall to climb. In a Town Center high-rise or a Green Run townhouse, a cat tree by the window gives an Aby a lookout over the whole street. They're busy, curious cats that want interactive play every day and company through the evening, so they suit people who are home a fair amount. Some settle better with a second cat around. Set up a tall perch and a wand toy before the cat comes home.
Find your forever Abyssinian
While we don't have enough cats near Virginia Beach, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 0-6 mo., 217 miles
Abyssinian
F, 3-7 y., 166 miles
Abyssinian
F, 2 y., 179 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Abyssinian
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 189 miles
Abyssinian
F, 7 mo., 197 miles
Abyssinian, Domestic Short Hair
F, 8 mo., 197 miles
Abyssinian, Domestic Short Hair
M, 3-7 y., 231 miles
Abyssinian
F, 1 y., 246 miles
Abyssinian, Domestic Short Hair
M, 7 mo., 246 miles
Abyssinian, Domestic Medium Hair
F, 5 mo., 343 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Abyssinian
Abyssinians are medium, lithe, muscular cats, usually 6 to 12 pounds, with a short coat in which every hair carries several bands of color. Ruddy, cinnamon, blue and fawn are the classic shades, set off by large cupped ears and almond eyes in gold, green, hazel or copper. The name points to Abyssinia, now Ethiopia, though genetic research suggests ancestors from the Indian Ocean coast and Southeast Asia.
Abys are agenda-driven, inquisitive and social, happiest when they're part of whatever you're doing. In Virginia Beach, where homes range from condos to townhouses to single-family houses, climbing room matters more than square footage. The coat needs only occasional brushing, but inherited conditions and dental trouble are worth planning for with regular vet checkups. Personalities vary from cat to cat.
Having an Abyssinian in Virginia Beach
Abyssinians pair an easy short coat with high energy and a strong need for company. In Virginia Beach homes, that mostly comes down to climbing space, daily play and whether someone is around, plus steady dental care and regular checkups.
Abyssinians are inquisitive, social and busy, often shadowing their people from room to room. Many are affectionate without being lap cats, and some are shy with visitors at first. They usually enjoy other cats and kids who play gently. Personalities vary from cat to cat, so spend time with the cat before deciding.
Plan on daily interactive play, with wand toys, chase games and puzzle feeders, split into a few short sessions. Tall cat trees and wall shelves meet the climbing urge. Some Abys learn harness walking, which suits quiet residential streets, but indoor play does most of the work. A bored Aby will invent its own mischief.
Abyssinians can inherit pyruvate kinase deficiency, progressive retinal atrophy and kidney amyloidosis, and gum disease and kneecap problems also appear. DNA tests exist for the first two. Yearly checkups and regular tooth brushing help catch problems early. A veterinarian can check a newly adopted cat's eyes, teeth and kneecaps and suggest testing.
Abys do well in Virginia Beach's apartments, condos and townhouses when there's vertical space to use. Window perches and tall trees matter more than floor area. Indoor living or a secure catio keeps these curious explorers safe. A home where someone is around often, or a second cat, keeps them content.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per 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* | $455 to $1,160 per year | $455 to $1,160 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,265 to $2,830 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The $5 to $10 yearly Virginia Beach cat license, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, litter, toys, scratchers and cat trees, and occasional brushing.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Virginia Beach.
Virginia Beach's rescue community includes the city's open-admission shelter and a private SPCA, both placing cats of all ages. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Virginia Beach area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an Abyssinian is coming in.
Yes. No known Virginia Beach rule restricts Abyssinians or any other cat breed, and no city limit on the number of cats is known. Your cat will need a city license and a current rabies vaccination once it's over four months old. Plan on indoor living, since an Abyssinian with plenty of climbing and play space is happier and safer.
Yes, Abyssinians do well in apartments and condos, including Town Center's high-rises, because they need climbing room more than floor space. Add a tall cat tree, window perches and wall shelves, and schedule daily play. Keep window screens and balcony doors secure, since a curious climber will test every opening.
Often, yes, if your household is home a fair amount or can add a second cat. Abyssinians want daily play and company more than a particular climate. Because storm season can mean evacuating with pets, get the cat comfortable with a carrier early so a move doesn't become a stressful surprise.
Yes, as indoor cats they handle it well. Summers are humid, with nights near 70 degrees and about a month of 90-degree days a year, so keep air conditioning on and fresh water out. Draw blinds on sunny perches, and never leave a cat in a parked car, even briefly.
Very little. A quick weekly brush removes loose hair from the short, close-lying coat, and baths are rarely needed. Virginia Beach's humidity doesn't change that. Teeth need more attention, so brush them regularly and plan for dental cleanings. Professional grooming is rarely necessary, so it adds little to the yearly costs listed above.
Only in a small carrier. Hampton Roads Transit buses and the VB Wave trolley allow animals in small cages that don't need a separate seat, so a compact carrier on your lap works. The Tide light rail runs only in Norfolk and admits service animals only. Check current fares with HRT before riding.
Realistically, no. Virginia's food rules let restaurants admit dogs on certain open-air patios, but that rule covers only dogs, and live animals are otherwise barred from dining rooms. An Abyssinian is happier at home with a window perch and a puzzle feeder anyway, so leave your cat there.
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.
Expect roughly $1,265 to $2,830 a year for an Abyssinian in Virginia Beach. That covers food at $25 to $50 a month, insurance at $30 to $60 a month, routine vet care at $150 to $350 a year and other costs at $455 to $1,160 a year, including litter and the city license.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Virginia Beach.
