Story by: Lillian Hall
It’s no secret that cats are one of the most common pets on the planet, but what are the most popular types of cats? According to several different online sources, each year is different, due to the number of registrations of each breed. The top 5 cat breeds owned in 2025 will have you saying, “Are you fur real?”
5. Devon Rex
The Devon Rex, or Pixie cat, first became popular in 1960s England. This breed is an equal mix of intelligence and playfulness. Because of the often high- energy personality, the Devon Rex needs to be often climbing, leaping, and exploration. It is best to keep this animal indoors as they are susceptible to traffic, predators, and disease, like most cats. This breed particularly likes to be trained and loves learning new tricks.
4. The Exotic Shorthair
The exotic shorthair, often joked about being the called the “lazy” person’s Persian, is a good option for those with other pets or children. They are friendly and affectionate, and don’t require much energy. With sweet, relaxed, and playful personality combined with the low-maintenance need for grooming and exercise, these cats are perfect for first-time cat owners. Exotic shorthairs have been in many TV shows, including “New Girl” that premiered in 2011 and ended 2018.
3. The Persian
The love for the Persian cat breed goes back hundreds of years tracing their origins to the deserts of Persia and Iran. Much like the exotic shorthair, Persians are often friendly and affectionate. One of the many reasons Queen Victoria adored them, was their extremely high intelligence. Her love for their elegance and their presence at the first modern cat show in 1871, tremendously boosted the breed’s popularity in England.
2. The Ragdoll
The ragdoll is a breed for those who loves new friends. This easygoing and friendly breed loves kids and other pets. They enjoy playing, but they are equally happy to just curl up and snuggle. Developed in 1960s California by a woman named Ann Baker, she wanted to create a ‘beautiful cat with a loving personality. The first cat association to recognize the ragdoll as a breed was the National Cat Fanciers’ Association, NCFA, and Ann Baker registered her first four ragdolls on December 30, 1966.
1. The Maine Coon
The most popular cat breed of 2025 is the Maine coon. The Maine coon was first introduced in 1860 New England, and they were especially popular in the state of Maine. The Maine coon was designated as the state cat of Maine in 1985. This intelligent and immense breed is considered the most talkative of the list. Maine Coons are sociable and usually can be found wherever the action is, inserting themselves into every situation.
Azriel Donahue, a student at UM, says her favorite thing about owning a maine coon is how sweet they are. Donahue has had Gracie for 12 years. She recommends maine coons for any cat lover out there.
“They need lots of attention and love, but they will give all of it right back to you ten fold! They are very fluffy, sociable cats, and mine personally LOVES a good treat!”
Donahue says shedding can be very noticable and owners may need to help them groom, due to their thick coats and large size.
They need lots of attention and love, but they will give all of it right back to you ten fold! They are very fluffy, sociable cats, and mine personally LOVES a good treat!
Azriel Donahue, Maine Coon owner
Finding the right Feline Friend for you
If any of these personalities caught your attention, make sure to checkout Shelby Humane Society as those kitties may surprise you. They are just as sweet, loving, and energetic. They just need someone to love them.
The Feline team at the shelter are often handling and caring for the animals while they are housed there. Check out their list of ‘purr-fect’ personalities.
“Orange cats are playful and friendly. Tuxedos are also playful and friendly, with a little more cat-titude. Black and tabbies are friendly and make good family cats (even though tabbies are commonly surrendered as feral cats). Torties, calicos, and Siamese/point most commonly have cat-titude.”
The most adopted cat breeds from the shelter include multi colored coats like Siamese (point) or calico, exotic breeds, and long hair. The most returned are black cats and kittens.
Adult cats that are spayed or neutered and fully vaccinated can be adopted and taken home same day.
For teen cats, older than 2 months and twenty days old, an adoption hold can be placed, with payment. However, the cat must remain under shelter care until spayed/neutered and fully vaccinated. This usually can take up to a week after date of adoption hold.
Kittens, who are younger than 2 months and twenty days old, can go home the same day into foster pre adopt program, with payment. This is where cat is brought back every 2 weeks for vaccines and dewormed until time of spay/neuter surgery when it can be fully adopted out.
Unable to foster or adopted? Come Cat Cuddle!
If you are interested in getting to hang out with some cats, Shelby Humane also does Cat Cuddling, which allows volunteers to snuggle and play with cats housed at the shelter.
Vallo Vision News 