Buying A Maine Coon Kitten In Florida
Read on to find out how to locate responsible, registered Maine Coon breeders in Florida!
Maine Coon Kittens For Sale In Florida
If you want to bring home a Maine Coon kitten, it is best to either adopt one or purchase one from a breeder that has been registered with a governing cat body, such as CFA or TICA. It takes time and patience to find a Maine Coon at a shelter, but it is a much cheaper option than purchasing one from a breeder.
The Maine Coon is a majestic long-haired breed famous for its large size and distinctive ruff or mane around its neck. They come in a dazzling array of colors and patterns and are renowned for their social and loving personalities.
One of the best ways to get Maine Coons is through adoption, but if you are looking for purebred Maine Coon kittens for sale, then a registered breeder is the safest way to get a healthy purebred cat.
Here is a list of all the ways you can find a Maine Coon of your very own:
1. Registered Breeders
Registered breeders are the surest way to find a purebred Maine Coon. It is also the best way to find a specific kind of coloration or pattern.
For example, if you are searching for silver Maine Coon kittens for sale near me, you will have a much more difficult time finding the cat of your dreams at a shelter or rescue center.
Breeders, however, often specialize in certain colors or patterns.
Breeders that have been registered with a governing cat body, such as TICA or ACFA, have been vetted to ensure their cats are truly purebred.
Registered breeders are also required to provide adequate levels of the following aspects, to ensure they are breeding healthy cats and kittens:
- Housing
- Food
- Medical Services
- Other Necessities
However, purchasing a Maine Coon through a breeder is also the most expensive option.
2. Maine Coon Rescue Centers
Maine Coon rescue centers are programs that only accept Maine Coons in need of a home. These rescue centers are few and far between and when cats become available, they are often adopted quite quickly.
Still, they are a much cheaper way of owning a Maine Coon, rather than purchasing a Maine Coon from a registered breeder.
3. Local Shelters
You can occasionally find Maine Coons at local animal shelters, however, this route can take a lot of time and patience.
Due to their popularity, if a Maine Coon happens to end up at a shelter they are among the first to be adopted.
Shelters are significantly cheaper than purchasing from a breeder.
4. Online Groups
Sometimes, people end up with an accidental litter of kittens and need to find a home for them, so may sell at a lower price than registered breeders. Facebook, Craigslist, and other sites are a popular option for finding cats.
Be careful, though, as dishonest breeders pretend they are rehoming their kittens when they are breeding Maine Coons in poor conditions.
5. Pet Shops
It is not common to find cats and dogs for sale at pet shops due to increased regulations.
6. Backyard Breeders
Backyard breeders are not registered with a governing cat body so there is no way to guarantee they are providing adequate resources to their cats.
They are often motivated by profit rather than a desire to produce healthy, loving cats.
The price might be tempting since it’s cheaper than the registered breeders, however, their low cost comes with a hidden price. They’ve likely cut corners, and not provided proper medical care or housing.
Additionally, backyard breeders often try to sell mixed Maine Coons or even cats that are not Maine Coons at all, claiming they are purebred without any proof or documentation.
Selecting A Breeder
Searching for Maine Coon cat breeders in Florida can be tiring and overwhelming if you are simply relying on a search engine.
If you are determined to bring home a purebred Maine Coon, then the most reliable way to do so is through a breeder that has been registered with a governing cat body.
Governing cat bodies are organizations dedicated to:
- Establishing Breed Standards
- Preserving Pedigree Bloodlines
- Producing High-Quality Cats
These organizations have a thorough vetting process to ensure that all of their registered breeders provide proper care and housing for all of their cats.
Some cat registration bodies to look for in America are as follows:
Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA)
This international association is the largest registration body among pedigree cats in the whole world.
CFA was established in 1906 and since then, over 67,000 different catteries and breeders have been registered through the CFA.
The International Cat Association (TICA):
TICA is another international association with an outstanding reputation.
Their Mentoring Program pairs experienced breeders with new breeders to share knowledge and continue to grow a love of cats throughout the world.
American Cat Fanciers’ Association (ACFA)
Established in 1955, the American Cat Fanciers’ Association may not be as big as TICA or the CFA, but this organization is determined to provide excellent resources for responsible breeders.
The ACFA prioritizes flexibility and health among their registered breeders.
To help get you started I have compiled a list of breeders below in various locations across Florida, such as Jacksonville and Tampa.
If you are looking for Maine Coon kittens for sale, Orlando has many nearby breeders, as well.
Breeders In Jacksonville Florida
Here are some Maine Coon breeders in Jacksonville Florida:
Breeder: Inkwell Maine Coons
Registration Body: TICA
Address: Jacksonville, FL
Telephone: (904) 570-2483
Contact Name: K. Johnson
Website Address: inkwellmainecoons.com
Email: inkwellmainecoons@gmail.com
Inkwell Maine Coons has one white male, a tortoiseshell female, and a silver tabby female. Since there are only two queens in this cattery, you may have to be patient, but these gorgeous kittens are well worth the wait!
Breeder: Sassy Koonz
Registration Body: TICA
Address: Jacksonville Beach, FL
Telephone: (904) 283-8186
Contact Name: Tracy Caywood
Website Address: sassykoonz.com
Email: info@sassykoonz.com
Sassy Koonz specializes in European Maine Coons, prioritizing health and quality over producing as many litters of kittens as possible. Their kittens come in the following colorings:
- White
- Red
- Black
- Classic Tabby
- Mackerel Tabby
- Tortoiseshell
- Bicolor
Breeders In Tampa Florida
Below are some Maine Coon breeders in Tampa Florida:
Breeder: Sporting Field Kennel and Cattery
Registration Body: TICA
Address: Brooksville, FL
Telephone: (540) 335-8250
Contact Name: Dionne Butt
Website Address: sportingfields.com
Email: sportingfields@gmail.com
Sporting Field is both a kennel and cattery that specializes in whippets, border collies, and, of course, Maine Coons.
Established in 1942, this family-run organization has passed through three generations.
They have a wide variety of patterns, including:
- Solid and White
- Tabby and White
- Classic Tabby
- Smoke
They also produce a stunning array of Maine Coon colors.
Breeders In Orlando Florida
If you are looking for Maine Coon kittens for sale in Orlando Florida, make sure to check the Maine Coon breeder list below:
Breeder: Maine Coon Manors
Registration Body: TICA
Address: Port Orange, FL
Email: delp32@aol.com
Telephone: (407) 247-0960
Contact Name: Delphine Patterson
Website Address: mainecoonmanors.com
Maine Coon Manors is a small cattery with three breeding females and one male. They specialize in red, brown, and silver classic and mackerel tabbies.
The owner of this cattery is also a dedicated animal activist and has worked hard to shut down several puppy and kitten mills throughout her lifetime.
Breeders In Central Florida
Below are some Central Florida Maine Coon breeders to take a look at:
Breeder: Florida Maine Coons
Registration Body: TICA
Address: Dunnellon, FL
Contact Name: Ginnie Lane
Website Address: floridamainecoons.com
Email: laneginnie@gmail.com
Registered by TICA under the name OptiCoons, Florida Maine Coons has been recognized twice by TICA as an Outstanding Maine Coon Kitten Breeder in Florida.
Their Maine Coons are from both American and European bloodlines, and they specialize in rare colors and patterns such as:
- Blue
- Cream
- Silver
- Smoke
Breeders In North Florida
Below is a Maine Coon breeder in North Florida which you might be interested to check out:
Breeder: Jersey Cow Farms – Maine Kingdom
Registration Body: CFA, TICA
Address: Trenton, FL
Telephone: (352) 448-1013
Contact Name: Kathleen Piehl
Website Address: jerseycowfarms.com/maine-coon-kittens
Email: jerseycowfarms@yahoo.com
Jersey Cow Farms is a large cattery that also focuses on breeding puppies and cows. They have a variety of colors and patterns, including:
- Classic Tabby
- Tortoiseshell
- Red
- Silver
- Blue
They also occasionally have polydactyl cats.
Breeders In Melbourne, FL
If you are looking for Maine Coon kittens for sale in Melbourne, Fl, then why not consider the following Maine Coon breeder (source 1):
Breeder: CelticCoons
Registration Body: TICA
Contact Name: Cheyanna Oleskewicz
Address: Fort Pierce, FL
Telephone: (772) 494-6345
Website Address: facebook.com/CelticCoons-111648851157839
Email: celticcoons@gmail.com
CelticCoons specializes in solid white cats, as well as silver, gray, and brown classic tabbies. In the past, they have also produced:
- Solid black cats
- Red classic tabbies
Breeders In Margate, Florida
Breeder: Alec Goldman(TICA)
Location: Margate, Florida
Email: MainecoonHut@gmail.com
Phone: (954)508-1223
Website: MainecoonHut.com
Why Use A Maine Coon Rescue Center
These are organizations operating similar to animal shelters but focus only on purebred or mixed Maine Coons. Only a few exist in the United States since few people are willing to part with their beloved cats.
Below are some good reasons for adopting a Maine Coon from a rescue center:
1. Cost
The most common reason people adopt from a rescue center is cost since purchasing a registered Maine Coon from a breeder costs anywhere from $500 to $2,000.
By comparison, adopting a Maine Coon from one of these rescue centers, however, typically costs between $150 and $400.
2. Easier Care
Training a kitten and providing all of the play and attention they need can be more time-consuming than you expect.
By comparison, older cats are:
- Calmer
- Litterbox Trained
- Require Less Energy To Care For Them
3. Established Personality
When you get a kitten, you have no way of knowing what its personality will be, whereas adult and senior cats have established personalities.
Adopting a Maine Coon through a rescue center enables you to choose a cat whose personality is perfectly compatible with yours.
4. Helping A Cat In Need
There are millions of cats in need of a home. While purchasing through a responsible breeder is a great way to ensure you are getting a healthy, purebred cat, it is also great to provide a home for a cat that desperately needs love and attention.
If you do choose to adopt a cat from a rescue center, you will need to be patient; there are only a few rescue centers in America, and they often only have a few cats available at a time.
Maine Coon Rescue Centers
Below are two Maine Coon rescue centers to consider adopting a Maine Coon kitten or cat from:
East Coast Maine Coon Rescue
This is a nonprofit organization established in 2009, with a mission to find homes for mixed and purebred Maine Coons in need.
You can check out their site here for more information.
Maine Coon Rescue Center
Located in Woodstock, Kentucky. Maine Coon Rescue Center accepts Maine Coons from all over America. For more information, contact Maine Coon Rescue Center at rescue@mainecoonrescue.net, or visit their website at www.mainecoonrescue.net.
Can Maine Coon Cats Live In Florida?
Maine Coons originated in the frigid state of Maine, whose temperatures range from 15 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. These cats developed long, thick coats to protect them from the cold and snow.
Florida, however, is significantly hotter than Maine, with temperatures ranging from 40 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. So, can Maine Coon cats withstand such hot temperatures?
Believe it or not, a Maine Coon’s thick fur does not just protect them against the cold; it also traps cool air and keeps them cool during the summer months.
The cats we know and love today evolved from desert-dwelling cats in northern Africa and the Middle East. Still, hot temperatures can pose a danger to any cat.
Maine Coons should not be allowed outside when it is hot, as they can easily suffer from the following serious medical conditions:
- Dehydration
- Heat Exhaustion
- Heatstroke
On warmer days, make sure your Maine Coon has constant access to shade and fresh, cool water.
Provided your Maine Coon has access to air conditioning, shade, and water when it is hot or sunny, these cats can thrive in Florida (source 1).