Maine Coon Scams
I have been showing and breeding Maine Coons since 2006. Lately, I have encountered many upsetting stories of individuals pulled into various scams. This is so troublesome to me that I decided to try to help people to make informed choices when selecting their breeder and Maine Coon kitten/retiree.
You really do want a breeder that shows, not because you want a show cat, because you want the personality of a show cat. If you can take a kitten, bathe it, travel with it, put it in a show, let strangers handle it, let it be in a strange place, around all the different people, cats, noise & smells AND still have a kitten/cat that will be happy and play, then that is an ideal kitten. Personality is both genetic and environmental.
There are red flags. Research and ask questions. Hopefully this will help you find a reputable breeder.
I wish you the very best with your research and your kitten and/or retiree.
You really do want a breeder that shows, not because you want a show cat, because you want the personality of a show cat. If you can take a kitten, bathe it, travel with it, put it in a show, let strangers handle it, let it be in a strange place, around all the different people, cats, noise & smells AND still have a kitten/cat that will be happy and play, then that is an ideal kitten. Personality is both genetic and environmental.
There are red flags. Research and ask questions. Hopefully this will help you find a reputable breeder.
- Legitimate catteries will be associated with a cat registry such as; CFA and/or TICA (the two most popular registries in the USA).
- Legitimate breeders can be checked out through their Veterinarian. My veterinarian will recommend my cattery to callers.
- Legitimate breeders will list an email and a phone number AND will respond quickly to questions.
- Legitimate catteries will usually have a Kitten or a Retiree Application in addition to a contract that will explain the cost and the care expected of a potential buyer. The application will ask a lot of questions regarding you and the care you plan to give to the kitten/retiree.
- Legitimate catteries usually have a website in addition to a Facebook page. The website will usually include: pictures of their breeding cats, what associations they belong to, the titles & awards their cats have earned and echocardiograms & DNA health screenings. Some will include the lineage; I do not always list the cattery prefix but I can and will tell you the cattery names of any and all of my breeding cats.
- Legitimate breeders can be checked out through other breeders. This is a courtesy that a breeder may choose to offer. Some breeders may not be familiar with breeders of an organization different to the one that they belong with. For example, someone that shows in CFA may not be familiar with a breeder that shows in TICA.
- Many (not all breeders use Pawpeds) legitimate breeders will have cats listed on www.pawpeds.com. Some may not update their cats but there will be cats associated with their cattery.
- Legitimate breeders will know the Maine Coon standards used in judging Maine Coons at the cat shows.
- Legitimate catteries can answer questions regarding the care for a Maine Coon.
- Most breeders will have a good knowledge of genetics such as; coat color and pattern.
- Legitimate catteries do not take full payment or large deposits without visiting the kitten/s or cattery. Many breeders require advanced deposits but very few require payment in advance unless the kitten is transported. It is highly advisable to make the trip to visit your kitten before making the deposit and to pick up your kitten/s rather then transport. Do not use overseas breeders without thoroughly checking them out.
- Legitimate breeders will allow a potential buyer to meet their kitten/retiree and pickup the kitten/retiree from their cattery. For me, this is a hobby, not a job and this is my home, not my workplace. I do not allow visits to my cattery unless you are visiting a kitten that you plan to purchase. I will not allow people to come into my home just to look around. I will not allow visits when I have young kittens that have not had their first set of vaccines. For this inconvenience, I do not take deposits in advance. For your protection, you do not purchase a kitten sight unseen.
- Scammers will usually send you only one picture of your kitten. I am guilty of that, but then again, you meet the kittens before any money changes hands.
- Legitimate breeders do not provide free shipping.
- Legitimate breeders do not sell their kittens/retirees on Craigslist or any other similar site.
I wish you the very best with your research and your kitten and/or retiree.
