If you are ready to get a Maine Coon cat, you will first have to learn how to find a reputable Maine Coon breeder.
This is an essential step because some breeders are using unethical practices, and if you are not careful, you might end up with a cat that is sick or not even a Maine Coon at all!
Look for Maine Coon breeders that are registered with cat governing bodies like CFA or TICA. Good breeders genetically test and vaccinate all of their cats. Make sure the breeder allows you to visit their cattery, rather than picking up your kitten from another location, so you can see for yourself that the cats are kept in good condition.
As exciting as it is to finally get the cat of your dreams, finding a reputable breeder takes time and patience.
Read on to find out what you should do to find an excellent Maine Coon cat breeder.
1. Cat Shows
Perhaps one of the best ways to find quality breeders is at cat shows. Not only are cat shows fun, informational experiences, but you can see firsthand the kinds of Maine Coons a breeder is producing. There is virtually no risk of getting scammed, and you can meet breeders one-on-one without needing to comb through websites.
2. Online
Finding a quality Maine Coon breeder online can be risky if you do not know what to look for.
Some breeders pay to have their cattery advertised on a governing cat body’s website, like TICA. You can also find these kinds of advertisements in reputable cat fancier magazines, such as “Cat Fancy.”
Other catteries operate through their own websites or social media, like Facebook. If you do find a breeder online, take extra care to find proof that they are registered with a governing cat body and operating out of a clean, spacious environment. Save yourself some time by taking a look at our registered Maine Coon cat breeder list for the United States, by State. With a little bit of luck, your dream Maine Coon breeder is here!
3. Registration
Perhaps the most important step is finding a registered Maine Coon cat breeder.
People do not need to be registered to breed cats, but registered breeders follow a stricter set of rules than backyard breeders.
They are also guaranteed to have 100% Maine Coon cats, as well as proof of their lineage.
Just because a breeder is registered does not mean they are automatically a perfect option, though.
Even CFA Maine Coon breeders can make mistakes or be difficult to work with.
You should also keep in mind that some breeders may lie about their registration. It is easy to state you are registered, but you cannot know for sure unless they provide proof.
There are dozens of cat registries throughout the world, but here are some of the most common (source 1):
The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) (International)
The International Cat Association (TICA) (International)
American Cat Fanciers’ Association (ACFA) (US)
Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) (UK)
Canadian Cat Association (CCA) (Canada)
Federation International Feline (FIFe) (Europe)
4. Health Guarantee
The best Maine Coon breeders provide excellent health care to all of their cats.
For example, pregnant and breeding queens should receive many examinations and vet visits. Maine Coon kittens should also be genetically tested and fully vaccinated. should ask for proof of vaccination and genetic testing before committing to a cat, to ensure the kitten is healthy.
5. Socialization
While Maine Coons are known for their gentle temperaments, a lot of their personality stems from kittenhood.
Good Maine Coon breeders will socialize their kittens early on, allowing them to get used to:
Strangers
Children
Other Animals
6. Visiting The Cattery or FaceTime Call
At Aspen Maine Coons, we do not allow visitors. This paragraph explaines why BUT I ENCOURAGE FACETIME CALLS! If possible, you should ask to visit the cattery before deciding to get a kitten from a breeder. Whilst a breeder refusing to let you visit the cattery may seem like a red flag, keep in mind that the situation might be more complex than you realize, so do not rule the breeder out of the equation.
Many Maine Coon cat breeders have opted to keep their homes and catteries closed, to potential buyers. This has been done for a number of reasons, including:
Protecting their cats
Avoiding crime
Personal health issues
Time restraints
Reducing the risk of their cats coming into contact with outside germs/diseases
Some catteries, especially in the wake of COVID-19, only allow visits over a video call, which is understandable.
If you do choose to see a cattery over a video call, make sure you can see where all of the breeding cats are kept, as well as how much space the kittens have.
7. Reviews
You should seek out reputable Maine Coon kitten reviews to ensure other people have had a positive experience with the breeder you are interviewing.
Searching the name of the cattery on Google is a great first start, but you can also try forums and social media sites like Reddit (source 1).
Where Do Owners Buy Maine Coon Cats?
The safest place to purchase a Maine Coon kitten is from a registered Maine Coon cat breeder, yet the Maine Coon price often leads cat lovers to buy their cats elsewhere. The Director of Maine Coon Central, conducted unique research on 150 Maine Coon cat lovers, on Maine Coon Central’s YouTube channel, in October 2023. She asked a poll of 150 voters where they got their Maine Coon cat from.
The survey revealed:
33% of owners purchased their Maine Coon from a Registered Maine Coon cat breeder
8% of voters bought a cat from a Non-Registered Maine Coon cat breeder.
A staggering 23% of viewers voted that they found their Maine Coon at a shelter! So, do not give up hope of finding a ‘cheap’ Maine Coon!
What Questions Should I Ask A Cat Breeder
While you may be tempted to say yes to the first breeder you find, it is important to screen them carefully to ensure they provide the highest quality care to all of their cats.
Here are some questions to ask when adopting a cat, so you can weed out irresponsible catteries:
1. Ask For Proof Of Health
Ask if any kittens have gotten sick while under their care, as well as what steps they have taken afterward.
Find out who their vet is, and how often they take all of their cats.
You should also find out what healthcare they guarantee to provide for each kitten.
Do they deworm and vaccinate all of their cats?
Are all breeding Maine Coon queens and kings genetically tested?
2. Ask For Proof Of Registration
A picture of the TICA logo on their website is not enough proof that they are actually registered with a governing cat body.
Ask for proof of registration with any and all clubs they are a part of.
Make sure to research these organizations independently; there are hundreds of organizations, but not all of them have a good code of ethics.
3. Ask For Proof Of Lineage
Before getting a kitten, you should know the exact lineage of the cat’s parents.
Good breeders tend to breed show cats with official titles from governing cat bodies.
Quality show cats are considered ideal specimens of the breed in:
Appearance
Temperament
Health
Ask about previous litters from both parents, including any health or genetic problems.
4. Ask To Visit The Cattery
A really important step is to ask to see the cattery for yourself.
If the breeder is evasive or outright refuses, this is a potential red flag. However, keep in mind the factors listed in the article above which note some genuine reasons why a breeder may make such a decision.
Even in the wake of the pandemic, a high-quality breeder will, at the very least, provide a full tour in person or over a video chat.
Make sure you ask for a video tour if physical tours are not possible. You should consider it a red flag if the breeder refuses to let you see their kitten’s living conditions, via video.
You should assess the cleanliness and size of the cattery, whilst also considering the following questions:
Do all of the queens have plenty of space, as well as a secure space for their kittens?
Does the house look and smell clean?
Do all of the cats look content?
5. Ask About Their Breeding Process
Legit Maine Coon breeders will be open about their breeding process.
You should ask how old cats are before breeding, how often queens produce litters, and how many litters a queen can be expected to have before retiring.
The best breeders will only let a queen have a few litters throughout her lifetime.
Even though cats are capable of producing more than one litter a year, it is a taxing process that has long-term effects on the body.
Learn more about Maine Coon breeding and pregnancy, in this article.
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