Maine Coon Breeders

How To Find Your New Kitten

by Carrie Profenno: Author, lifelong Mainer & veteran Maine Coon owner

All about Maine Coon Breeders. Our companion page, Maine Coon Cat Breeders, is all about the importance of finding a responsible breeder, and what to look for.

So how do you know if you've found a great breeder? And where do you go to find Maine Coon kittens for sale? And how to avoid being taken in by a kitten scam?

Backyard Breeders;
Not The Maine Coon Breeders You're Looking For

Have you heard of this term? "Backyard breeders" refers to people who have Maine Coon kittens for sale, but they are not the kind of breeders you want to support.

They have pet quality cats, probably bought with a spay/neuter agreement, which they have clearly gone against. A spay/neuter agreement means that they agreed, in writing, to spay or neuter their kitten at the proper age.

They don't understand all the intricacies of "breeding to a standard," much less what the Maine Coon cat breed standard even is.

They simply have come upon access to purebred cats (or maybe a lookalike), and are breeding them. Breeding isn't their passion, their life's work, it's just something they do "on the side."

They don't show their cats (biggest clue), don't screen for hereditary diseases, and don't belong to the Maine Coon Cat Clubs which reputable breeders do.

The genetics, and general health of their kittens may be questionable, as well as the physical traits, and personality characteristics.

In a nutshell, if a kitten is born who is a truly great example of the breed, worthy of passing on it's genetics to future generations, it will be marked for breeding/showing by it's breeder, who may keep it for breeding and showing, or sell it to a trusted colleague, with "breeding rights".

No one who buys a purebred kitten from a breeder should be breeding without that breeder's input, consent and advice.

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In our Cat Questions section, a reader asks: "I have a female Maine Coon which I would like to breed with a male Maine Coon in the near future. Do you or do you know of anyone who can provide a stud?" 

And a breeder helpfully answers: "I can tell you that breeding quality cats is very expensive not to mention very time consuming... If you have a Maine Coon cat, male or female and you do not have breeding rights then you are not supposed to be breeding your cat, period!

If your bought your cat from a reputable breeder then you signed a contract saying you would have your kitten spayed/neutered.

To breed without breeding rights makes you unethical and dishonest. When a kittens papers are filed with the cat associations (CFA and TICA) they will come back as "Not for breeding" on the certificate." 

... read full thread here: Looking for a Male for Breeding

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Finding Reputable Maine Coon Breeders:

How do you go about finding Maine Coon kittens for sale from breeders? There are a few ways. One is to go to a cat show in your area.

Another way is to use our extensive Maine Coon Cat Breeders Directory.

Then visit some of the websites listed, as well as our Maine Coon Breeders and catteries hub page for lots more about choosing a breeder, things to look for at the cattery, and questions to ask. You'll be well prepared!

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