How to find a good/reputable breeder...
For our 27 years of breeding Maine Coons, you do not have any idea how many
times we were asked how to find a reputable and honest breeder that had
kittens at that present time. We often refer to other breeders that we know and
trust, but often there are none in our area (as in this case, I am brand new to
Florida and do not yet know anyone down here) and many we do refer to do not
have any kittens now or upcoming. So then it is time for the person to research
and look around. But you cannot just choose someone who has a 'pretty'
website and has kittens for sale at a price you find reasonable. There is so much
work to finding a good breeder! Here are some basic things for you to look for
during your search, and it is just to help you get started. Take your time. Your
Maine Coon will be with you for a long time and a wonderful member or your
family that you want to live a long and healthy life. Ask us any questions you
have and for referrals but we cannot always give advice or referrals for your
area. So here is your starting place:
*Breeder shows his/her cats on a regular basis (or has shown in the past if an
older Cattery) CRUCIAL
* Breeder is at least registered with one CRUCIAL or several Associations
DESIRABLE (preferably with MCBFA also)
* Breeder regularly tests for breed specific diseases (HCM, & HD) (PKD, & SMA
in some lines) CRUCIAL
warning: If you want your kitten to live a long life, make sure to ask specifically
what form of heart test the breeder uses and ask for written proof!! The
expensive Ultrasound is presently the only fairly reliable form of HCM testing.
If a breeder only does these "HCM gene test", run the other way! Oh, and yes,
there can definitely be hip and heart problems in all pedigrees of the Maine
Coon breed.
* Facility pictures are openly shown on the homepage DESIRABLE
* Some of the pictures of kittens/cats on a homepage show the background
(the actual living space) DESIRABLE
*Breeder openly displays registered names and pedigrees of his/her cats on
homepage, not just the "call names" DESIRABLE
* Cats are not kept in cages CRUCIAL
* Facility is not overpopulated CRUCIAL
*Breeder lets you see ALL parts of their facility by appointment (or during
pick-up of the kitten) DESIRABLE
* Health and hygiene in the facility are excellent CRUCIAL
*Majority of cats are friendly and outgoing CRUCIAL
* Kittens and cats appear healthy, with nice coats, clear eyes/noses and well
nourished CRUCIAL
*Breeder is transparent about potential problems or weaknesses in certain
lines (purebred doesn't mean perfect, beware of "disease free or "free of genetic
defects" catteries! You surely aren't being told the truth!) CRUCIAL
* Matings are being done wisely, with knowledge of pedigrees CRUCIAL
* Breeder has responsible, true out-cross program in place (note: an "unrelated"
pedigree over 4 generations can in reality be very inbred!!) CRUCIAL
* Breeder makes a supplemented raw meat mix part of the cats'/kittens' diet
and uses a high quality, grain/gluten/corn free cat food for them otherwise
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS IS ACTUALLY CRUCIAL
* Breeder has a controlled amount of litters throughout the year and enough
loving homes lined up for the kittens CRUCIAL
* Breeder has experience, visible knowledge about the breed and also a real
love (passion) for the breed and his/her own cats CRUCIAL
* Kittens are checked by a veterinarian before they leave the breeder CRUCIAL
* Breeder wants to get to know prospective buyer before selling a kitten
CRUCIAL
* Breeder has a written sales contract and health guarantee, asking you not to
declaw the kitten or let the kitten go outside without supervision CRUCIAL
* Kittens are sold with registration papers CRUCIAL
*Kittens are not released to their new homes under 12 weeks of age CRUCIAL
* Breeder never sells to pet stores CRUCIAL
*Breeder never sells out of a cage or out of their car at a cat show CRUCIAL
*Breeder does not give cheap "deals' on a continuous basis. Proper quality care
would not allow an unusually low price. Chances are you pay for what you get!
CRUCIAL
*Breeder has at least a decade of breeding experience or is supervised by
excellent mentors CRUCIAL
Don't be fooled - backyard breeders and kitten mills can have very appealing
webpages with great pictures. They often use the titles of ancestral cats and
HCM/HD testing results of other Catteries to make themselves look reputable.
Most of them have never lifted a finger to earn any of these titles, let alone
tested any of their own breeding stock. A lot of them also don't show their
multiple breedings on the home page. So make sure to ask LOTS of questions
before committing to a purchase.
**************************************************
Have fun looking around and we would love to help you find your Maine Coon
baby to adopt. Ask us what is needed and remember... we have a book out. It
will answer so many of the questions you have. We wrote it for pet people who
are getting their first Maine Coon or those who just want to know more about
raising/training their kitty. We keep a few copies with us and can sign it if you
like, but you can also find it on Amazon, sometimes at reduced rates. We had
almost 100 color photos added which is why the price is higher, but it is well
worth it and has Maine Coons from all over the world. The book is called
The Personal Maine Coon, by Phyllis Tobias
Cost in US funds are $25 and shipping is $4 in USA and $6 for Canada. We have
not yet checked into shipping to Europe or other places. Let us know if you want
to reserve a book. My address (to send check or money order to) is on our
contact page.
You can also request a copy at your local library and this will save you the
money from buying your own copy if you prefer this.
times we were asked how to find a reputable and honest breeder that had
kittens at that present time. We often refer to other breeders that we know and
trust, but often there are none in our area (as in this case, I am brand new to
Florida and do not yet know anyone down here) and many we do refer to do not
have any kittens now or upcoming. So then it is time for the person to research
and look around. But you cannot just choose someone who has a 'pretty'
website and has kittens for sale at a price you find reasonable. There is so much
work to finding a good breeder! Here are some basic things for you to look for
during your search, and it is just to help you get started. Take your time. Your
Maine Coon will be with you for a long time and a wonderful member or your
family that you want to live a long and healthy life. Ask us any questions you
have and for referrals but we cannot always give advice or referrals for your
area. So here is your starting place:
*Breeder shows his/her cats on a regular basis (or has shown in the past if an
older Cattery) CRUCIAL
* Breeder is at least registered with one CRUCIAL or several Associations
DESIRABLE (preferably with MCBFA also)
* Breeder regularly tests for breed specific diseases (HCM, & HD) (PKD, & SMA
in some lines) CRUCIAL
warning: If you want your kitten to live a long life, make sure to ask specifically
what form of heart test the breeder uses and ask for written proof!! The
expensive Ultrasound is presently the only fairly reliable form of HCM testing.
If a breeder only does these "HCM gene test", run the other way! Oh, and yes,
there can definitely be hip and heart problems in all pedigrees of the Maine
Coon breed.
* Facility pictures are openly shown on the homepage DESIRABLE
* Some of the pictures of kittens/cats on a homepage show the background
(the actual living space) DESIRABLE
*Breeder openly displays registered names and pedigrees of his/her cats on
homepage, not just the "call names" DESIRABLE
* Cats are not kept in cages CRUCIAL
* Facility is not overpopulated CRUCIAL
*Breeder lets you see ALL parts of their facility by appointment (or during
pick-up of the kitten) DESIRABLE
* Health and hygiene in the facility are excellent CRUCIAL
*Majority of cats are friendly and outgoing CRUCIAL
* Kittens and cats appear healthy, with nice coats, clear eyes/noses and well
nourished CRUCIAL
*Breeder is transparent about potential problems or weaknesses in certain
lines (purebred doesn't mean perfect, beware of "disease free or "free of genetic
defects" catteries! You surely aren't being told the truth!) CRUCIAL
* Matings are being done wisely, with knowledge of pedigrees CRUCIAL
* Breeder has responsible, true out-cross program in place (note: an "unrelated"
pedigree over 4 generations can in reality be very inbred!!) CRUCIAL
* Breeder makes a supplemented raw meat mix part of the cats'/kittens' diet
and uses a high quality, grain/gluten/corn free cat food for them otherwise
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS IS ACTUALLY CRUCIAL
* Breeder has a controlled amount of litters throughout the year and enough
loving homes lined up for the kittens CRUCIAL
* Breeder has experience, visible knowledge about the breed and also a real
love (passion) for the breed and his/her own cats CRUCIAL
* Kittens are checked by a veterinarian before they leave the breeder CRUCIAL
* Breeder wants to get to know prospective buyer before selling a kitten
CRUCIAL
* Breeder has a written sales contract and health guarantee, asking you not to
declaw the kitten or let the kitten go outside without supervision CRUCIAL
* Kittens are sold with registration papers CRUCIAL
*Kittens are not released to their new homes under 12 weeks of age CRUCIAL
* Breeder never sells to pet stores CRUCIAL
*Breeder never sells out of a cage or out of their car at a cat show CRUCIAL
*Breeder does not give cheap "deals' on a continuous basis. Proper quality care
would not allow an unusually low price. Chances are you pay for what you get!
CRUCIAL
*Breeder has at least a decade of breeding experience or is supervised by
excellent mentors CRUCIAL
Don't be fooled - backyard breeders and kitten mills can have very appealing
webpages with great pictures. They often use the titles of ancestral cats and
HCM/HD testing results of other Catteries to make themselves look reputable.
Most of them have never lifted a finger to earn any of these titles, let alone
tested any of their own breeding stock. A lot of them also don't show their
multiple breedings on the home page. So make sure to ask LOTS of questions
before committing to a purchase.
**************************************************
Have fun looking around and we would love to help you find your Maine Coon
baby to adopt. Ask us what is needed and remember... we have a book out. It
will answer so many of the questions you have. We wrote it for pet people who
are getting their first Maine Coon or those who just want to know more about
raising/training their kitty. We keep a few copies with us and can sign it if you
like, but you can also find it on Amazon, sometimes at reduced rates. We had
almost 100 color photos added which is why the price is higher, but it is well
worth it and has Maine Coons from all over the world. The book is called
The Personal Maine Coon, by Phyllis Tobias
Cost in US funds are $25 and shipping is $4 in USA and $6 for Canada. We have
not yet checked into shipping to Europe or other places. Let us know if you want
to reserve a book. My address (to send check or money order to) is on our
contact page.
You can also request a copy at your local library and this will save you the
money from buying your own copy if you prefer this.
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