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Maine Coon Cat Nation
Experienced Owners Sharing Knowledge, Expertise, and Building Community
Hi, my name is Carrie. I live in Maine, USA (yes, I'm a native Mainer!) with my husband and kids.
Our Maine Coons, Alice and Leo, joined our family as small kittens in the spring of 2004.
Here is the story of how they came to us - and how that makes us uniquely qualified to write about this breed from the perspective of experienced, long-time Maine Coon Cat owners!
I am the founder of Maine Coon Cat Nation, the web designer, and the writer and editor of every article on this website.
My skills are as a writer and designer, and my passions are for all pets and animals. 17 years as a Maine Coon owner has blessed me with much experience to share!
I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to grow Maine Coon Cat Nation into a premier online authority for this amazing breed of cat.
My Animal Background
I have been an animal lover all of my life. I have never been without a dog or two, and of course, cats. As a child, I kept more than a few hamsters, guinea pigs, even birds.
I was an only child, but I was never lonely! We even had litters of kittens when I was a teen.
My mom was a breeder of Siamese cats, and I was present for their births and helped raise them, right until they went to their homes. It was a terrific learning experience.
During my education, reading, writing and literature were always my focus. I love to write! It comes naturally, and I enjoy the flow of writing.
Why Maine Coon Cats?
As a young adult I had a beloved domestic medium haired cat named Clyde who was "different" from any other cat I'd ever had.
I wanted all my future cats to have this personality, and I found it in the Maine Coon breed.
When my young family was ready for some pets, I began to research different cat breeds. Once I learned about the Maine Coon personality I was hooked!
I then found a wonderful Maine Coon cat breeder in my area. I didn't want my new kittens to make a long journey to me so it was important to find them locally.
The breeder and I soon got to know each other. As it turned out, he did have kittens available. Two in particular would be a good fit for us.
The first was a boy who would be big, and his very petite sister who had a reserved personality. She would benefit from going home with her brother.
Little did I know then, that these two kittens would change my life forever by inspiring this incredible site and community!
Alice and Leo, our two Maine Coon kittens, shortly after arrival in our home
Our Kittens
Then came the big day! When I first laid eyes on my new Maine Coon kittens, even I was surprised at their beauty!
They were unbelievably cute kittens. What really struck me were those tufts of fur on the tips of their ears - I knew they would be there, but oh how distinctive they were!
Little Leo with his human sister. They were lucky to grow up together!We went straight home, and settled them right in to their own "room" at first. This is a great method for introducing a new kitten. They acclimated quickly.
On the first night, both little ones were snuggling and purring away on us. I remember speaking on the phone with their breeder that night.
He was happy to hear that even our timid girl was purring and cuddling already. He said, "she's all yours now!"
In the days to come, we had fun trying out lots of cute kitten names. Our boy was a Red Silver Classic Cameo. He resembled a lion, and Pete named him Leo.
Leo became one big boy, with an even bigger personality! There is just so much to say about him. So, take a look at Leo, the big Maine Coon cat.
Our little girl came out of her shell very quickly. All black, delicate, and a true beauty. I named her Alice, after much thought.
We sometimes called her "the perfect cat". There is just as much to say about Alice, our Black Smoke Maine Coon.
Alice and Leo were awesome. They were really members of our family. They quickly made our house feel like home. We enjoyed 17 and 14 years with them, respectively.
A Lifetime of Experience with Maine Coons
Raising Alice and Leo alongside my children gave me a deep understanding of what it truly means to have Maine Coons as full-fledged family members.
A Childhood Full of CuddlesFrom the moment they arrived as tiny kittens, they were never just pets - they were part of every milestone, every holiday, and every ordinary day in between.
My kids grew up with them, learning about responsibility, love, and the deep bonds we form with animals.
Over the years, I navigated every stage of Maine Coon ownership, from kittenhood to senior care.
I’ve introduced new pets into the home and learned firsthand how to manage those delicate introductions to ensure harmony.
Leo and Alice all grown upI’ve also faced the challenges of aging cats and the health issues that can come with it.
Leo, my big, lovable boy, developed kidney problems later in life, and we worked closely with our vet to manage his condition, giving him the best quality of life possible for many years.
These experiences - both the joyful and the difficult - have given me valuable, real-world knowledge that I love sharing with others.
Whether it’s helping a new Maine Coon owner with introductions, offering advice on senior cat care, or sharing insights on daily life with these incredible cats, I’ve lived it all.
Maine Coons aren’t just my passion - they’ve been part of my family, every step of the way.
I'm quite sure I will always have Maine Coon cats. For even more on them, we've put up some slide shows on our page of cat videos.
Once I turned my writing skills and Maine Coon breed expertise into Maine Coon Cat Nation, there was no going back!
My chosen topic of Maine Coon Cats is something I know, love, and never tire of. I'm enjoying the journey toward becoming a Work-From-Home-Mom.
Connecting with Experts & Experienced Breeders
While my knowledge comes from a lifetime of hands-on experience, I also stay connected with the wider Maine Coon community by engaging with reputable breeders and experts in the field.
Through my network, I regularly communicate with experienced breeders, many of whom are members of our Maine Coon Cat Nation community.
Their insights help me stay informed about best practices in breeding, health, and care for this unique breed.
I also feature breeder interviews on my site, giving readers direct access to valuable firsthand knowledge.
These conversations cover everything from responsible breeding ethics to genetic traits and health considerations, ensuring that the information I provide is well-rounded and based on real-world expertise.
By combining my own experience with the insights of dedicated Maine Coon breeders, I strive to provide the most accurate, helpful, and responsible guidance for anyone looking to welcome one of these incredible cats into their lives.
A Trusted Online Resource
Maine Coon Cat Nation is one of the most-visited resources for Maine Coon enthusiasts, reaching thousands of readers each month.
Over the years, it has grown into a trusted hub for Maine Coon owners, prospective owners, and cat lovers seeking reliable, firsthand information.
Our thriving online community, including an engaged Facebook group, brings together passionate cat owners to share experiences, ask questions, and support one another.
With a dedicated readership and a commitment to high-quality content, Maine Coon Cat Nation continues to be a go-to source for all things Maine Coon.
Update: It's now 2025. Maine Coon Cat Nation is 14 years old, and has become and integral part of my life. I'm still loving the process I started a decade ago.
How does a website earn income? Well, there are a few ways, and it depends on the website. Some folks might sell their own ebooks, or hard goods.
This site earns from the ads you see placed here and there, and from affiliate product links.
When someone sees an ad and it interests them, they might click. Then I earn a small commission. I also recommend products, and if a visitor makes a purchase, there is a small commission.
I'm very grateful for this kind of support. It brings me one step closer to making the development of this website my one and only "job!"
And just this year, we launch our amazing Maine Coon Membership Area. It's a place for our community members to read and download ad-free articles, guides and e-books as well as enjoy The Maine Coon Magazine and come together in a private social experience!
Commitment to Honest & Ethical Information
Trust is at the heart of Maine Coon Cat Nation. I only recommend products I trust, have researched extensively, use - or would use for my own cats.
When featuring breeders, I ensure they meet ethical standards, prioritizing responsible breeding practices.
I’m also committed to protecting reader privacy - any information shared within our community is respected and never misused.
My goal is to provide honest, reliable, and well-researched content so fellow cat lovers can make informed decisions with confidence.
I'll continue to provide updates on this exciting journey. In the meantime, I invite you to join me in this supportive community of animal lovers!
Alice and Leo all grown up
Let's Connect! ⬇️
Hi, I'm Carrie Profenno! As the founder of MCCN, I've spent over 14 years helping cat owners understand their Coonies and mixes. Real experience, research-backed insights - that's my approach. Happy, healthy cats - that's the goal!
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