How to Buy a Maine Coon Cat in the US

Maine Coon cats are nicknamed "gentle giants" due to their size and sweet nature.

The Maine Coon cat is a long-haired breed, native to America and first recognized in Maine, where they were renowned for their mousing talents, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). Known for their intelligence and kind, sweet nature, Maine Coon cats get along well with children and dogs, making them an ideal family pet. Full-grown males range from 13 to 18 pounds and females from 9 to 12 pounds. Maine Coon cats come in four color classes: solid, tabby, tabby with white, and parti-color, according to Cat Channel.

Instructions

1. Purchase all the necessary supplies for a new cat, including cat food, dishes, litter, a litterbox and toys. Cat-proof your home by hiding any wires or cords for draperies and window shades. Provide a safe, quiet spot for your cat to acclimate to, such as a pet bed or blanket.

2. Contact a local Maine Coon breeder in your area to see if they have Maine Coon kittens or cats for sale. Look for breeders through the Fancier's Breeder Referral List, the Maine Coon Breeders & Fanciers Association (MCBFA) or attend a cat show in your area to meet Maine Coon breeders. Cat shows are advertised through cat association websites like the Cat Fanciers' Association (www.cfainc.org) , American Association of Cat Enthusiasts (www.aaceinc.org), American Cat Fanciers Association (www.acfacat.com) and National Cat Fanciers Association (www.nationalcatfanciers.com). In addition, check classified ads in cat-specific magazines (such as Cat Fancy) for Maine Coon breeder listings, or check your local newspaper.

3. Visit the cattery to see the living conditions of the cats raised there. While many breeders raise kittens "underfoot" in their homes, some breeders are not reputable and raise large numbers of kittens in unsanitary conditions, many of whom live in cages. Ask how many litters of kittens the breeder raises per year to get an idea of the volume of kittens produced and how much socialization each kitten receives. Use your judgment to decide if the living conditions seem acceptable by noting the smells of the home, cleanliness and the behavior of the kittens, who should appear sociable and used to people and handling. Reputable breeders will provide references to you of past clients to contact about their experiences with the Maine Coon kittens sold by them.

4. Ask the breeder questions about the health of their cats. Inquire if the cats have been examined by a veterinarian, received their required shots and been screened for feline leukemia (FeLV) or feline AIDS (FIV). Maine Coon cats are prone to hip dysplasia and a heart condition known as cardiomyopathy or hypertropic cardiomyopathy (HCM), so it is important to ask the breeder if the cats have been screened by a veterinarian for these conditions, according to Pet Place. Ask the breeder if they will provide a written guarantee for genetic and health problems, ensuring the quality of their cats.

5. Inquire about what cat associations the breeder is registered with. Quality breeders will register and show cats regularly, while so-called backyard breeders or kitten mills will not, as their only interest is making a profit from the sale of the kittens. Reputable breeders can provide pedigree papers or a "blue slip" for your cat, noting its lineage. Cats without papers may not be purebred Maine Coon cats at all.

6. Make sure a breeder you contact is willing to ship a cat to you if you are unable to visit the breeder directly, as Maine Coon breeders do not exist in every state. Contact the breeder regularly and ensure they send photos of the kittens and provide a health guarantee, especially when shipping a cat. As the buyer, you must make certain shipping arrangements through an airline carrier.

7. Sign the document of sale and exchange money to purchase your Maine Coon cat from the breeder. Always bring the cat to your veterinarian for a checkup after purchasing the Maine Coon from the breeder. Breeders belonging to the Maine Coon Breeders & Fanciers Association are responsible for any vet bills incurred by the buyer within 48 hours of purchasing the cat from the breeder if the cat is found to be in ill health by the veterinarian. Many breeders require the buyer to keep the Maine Coon indoors, not declaw it and provide proof of spaying or neutering before the seller will provide the pedigree papers for the cat.

Tips & Warnings

• You can contact Maine Coon cat breed rescues to adopt a purebred cat instead of purchasing one through a breeder if you wish to adopt a cat in need of a home; such cats are usually older.

• Confirm the cattery you are buying from belongs to a cat association by contacting that association directly.

• Tell the breeder if you are looking for a cat to show or simply a pet cat, as this may affect the price.

• Inform the breeder if you wish to breed the cat purchased, as this will affect the price, how the cat is listed on the paperwork or "blue slip" and how it is registered with a cat association.

• Reputable breeders will take back any of their cats you purchase but later cannot care for.

• Avoid catteries that refuse to allow you to see the Maine Coon cats before you purchase them.

• A breeder who does not provide any vet care information or health history for their cats should also be avoided.

• Reputable breeders will not release kittens to new owners until they are at least four to five months in age.

References

• Cat Fancier's Association: Breed Profile: Main Coon
• Cat Channel: Maine Coon Cats
• Maine Coons: How to Find a Maine Coon Kitten
• Pet Place: Finding and Choosing a Purebred Cat Breeder
• Maine Coon Breeders & Fanciers Association: MCBFA Breeder Members
• Fancier's Breeder Referral List: FBRL: Maine Coon Breeders

Resources

• Purebred Cat Breed Rescue: Maine Coon Cat Breed Rescues