If you are determined to get a Maine Coon, but can’t afford the price that these magnificent cats usually go for, then Maine Coon rescue centers might be your best chance.
Maine Coon rescue centers focus on finding mixed breed and purebred Maine Coons that are still waiting to find their forever homes. Some rescue centers operate at a fixed location, while others operate completely online. Maine Coons from rescue centers can be more difficult to find, but they are significantly cheaper.
There are many pros and cons to adopting a Maine Coon from a rescue center. These valuable centers are limited though which can make it difficult to find one near you.
With a lot of research and a little patience though, it’s totally possible for you to achieve your dream of adopting a Maine Coon from a rescue center!
Do you think that adopting a Maine Coon from a rescue center is a good choice, but you’re worried about finding one?
If this sounds familiar, don’t stress as we’ve done all the research so that you don’t have to!
Read on to find out if there’s a Maine Coon rescue center in your area!
Maine Coon Rescue
The Maine Coon is an affectionate, playful, and beautiful breed that’s been growing exponentially in popularity over the last few decades.
These cats originated naturally in the state of Maine and became popular for their ability to hunt mice, rats, and other vermin.
Today, though, they’re becoming more and more popular for their unique and affectionate personalities, as well as their huge size.
Due to the high demand for this breed, however, Maine Coons can be very expensive, ranging between $400 and $2,000 per cat.
This means that they aren’t necessarily a good financial choice for everyone, which can be disappointing for someone who’s fallen in love with the breed and is determined to bring one home.
Thankfully, if you want a Maine Coon, but don’t think you can afford one, there’s another option for you!
Instead of purchasing one, it’s possible to adopt a Maine Coon Cat instead!
Occasionally, some mixed or purebred Maine Coons might be given up by their previous owners, and they can end up in shelters waiting for their forever homes.
Of course, it can take a long time to find a Maine Coon that’s landed in a shelter, and these cats often end up being the first to get adopted.
That’s where Maine Coon rescues come in. These organizations allow you to adopt a Maine Coon for cheap, as well as provide a cat in need with a loving home.
Maine Coon rescues can operate in one of two ways. The first way is through a single shelter, while the second option is a rescue that is based online.
Single shelter Maine Coon rescues only take in purebred or mixed breed Maine Coons, and provide them with lodging and care until they are adopted out.
Some single-shelter Maine Coon rescues also take in other cat breeds, such as Ragdolls.
The other option is a Maine Coon rescue that operates online. These rescues work with a variety of shelters and advertise any purebred or mixed breed Maine Coons that come in. That way, you can look at the Maine Coon rescue site and find Maine Coons for adoption across a variety of shelters and locations.
The biggest downside to Maine Coon rescues, however, is that they’re few and far between.
It’s not often that a Maine Coon is given up for adoption, so it only makes sense for a few Maine Coon rescues to be in operation.
Furthermore, these shelters often have a large following of people who are all waiting to adopt a Maine Coon of their own, so it can be hard to get your hands on one!
Reasons To Adopt A Maine Coon Cat
Many people prefer to purchase a Maine Coon from a breeder. Some of the reasons for this include:
- Pedigree Status
- Age
- Appearance
If you get a cat from a breeder, you can also be a lot more choosy about the kind of cat that you want, and you can also get a kitten that you can watch grow up.
With that being said, however, there are many benefits to adopting a Maine Coon, as well!
Below are the main reasons to adopt a Maine Coon cat, rather than buying from a breeder:
1. You Could Save A Cat’s Life
Countless cats in shelters are euthanized every year.
Many people blame government-funded shelters (also known as “kill” shelters) for euthanizing cats, but it isn’t actually their fault.
Government-funded shelters are required to take in every single cat that comes their way, while private (or “no-kill”) shelters can turn away cats if they don’t have enough space.
As a result, government-funded shelters ultimately run out of space and resources and are forced to euthanize older cats that are deemed less likely to be adopted are euthanized to make way for incoming cats.
As tempting as it might be to purchase a cat from a breeder, it’s important to acknowledge that there are millions of cats in the world that already need homes!
While Maine Coons are a popular breed and tend to get adopted out quite quickly, there are still a lot of senior and mixed breed Maine Coons that are still waiting for a home.
By choosing to adopt rather than purchase a cat from a breeder, you could save a cat’s life!
2. It’s Much Cheaper
It’s possible to find a purebred Maine Coon for as little as $400 to $700, whereas they often cost about $1,000 to $2,000 when bought from a breeder.
The main reason the price is so high is that Maine Coons are in high demand.
The registered breeders also incur a lot of costs to produce high-quality kittens.
By comparison, cats at shelters are significantly cheaper, often costing between $100 to $200!
Furthermore, shelter cats come with a lot of bonuses:
- Shelters will spay and neuter cats
- Provide Vaccinations
- Microchips
- Deworming
- Other veterinary costs up until adoption.
In fact, a lot of shelters will even offer free or reduced vet fees for the first month after you’ve adopted your cat!
3. Older Cats Come With A Lot Of Benefits
It may be tempting to purchase a kitten from a breeder, but you shouldn’t overlook an adult cat!
Kittens are exhausting and require a lot of work.
Furthermore, it’s usually best to purchase two Maine Coon kittens at once, since they need a playmate for proper socialization, and it’s even more expensive to buy two Maine Coons!
While Maine Coons are known for retaining a lovable, kitten-like personality well into their adult years, they mellow out significantly as they grow older.
Do you prefer calm lap cats to rambunctious kittens? If so, then it might be in your best interest to adopt a Maine Coon rather than buy one from a breeder.
Finally, adult cats have already been properly litter-trained and no longer need all of the special care that kittens require.
Adult cats are significantly less work, but provide just as much love and affection!
4. You’ll Know Your Cat’s Personality
Adopting a cat from a shelter means you increase your chances of finding the perfect cat to fit your personality!
Most kittens have pretty much the same personality and spend all of their time playing and running around.
It can take years for a cat to settle into its true personality, and once your kitten has grown up, you might realize it’s not quite the kind of cat you were hoping for.
When you adopt a cat from a shelter, you can ask the employees exactly what that cat’s personality is.
You can also spend time getting to know that cat and decide early on whether or not it’s the right fit for you.
When you adopt an older cat, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into, while purchasing a kitten tends to come with a lot of risk and mystery.
5. Mixed Breeds Are Healthier
Many potential Maine Coon owners are set on getting a purebred cat. However, there’s actually a huge benefit to adopting a mixed breed cat!
Overall, Maine Coons are regarded as being among the sturdiest and healthiest of purebred cats.
Still, purebred cats are inherently more likely to suffer from genetic conditions.
Unfortunately, the selective breeding that results in the beautiful Maine Coon traits we all know and love also results in an increase in health problems due to a lack of genetic diversity.
Some of the health problems that Maine Coons are prone to include:
While you may not like the idea of getting a mixed breed Maine Coon, they actually offer the benefit of being healthier.
Besides, even a Maine Coon mix can be just as beautiful as a purebred, and they often have many of the personality traits that the breed is so popular for! (source 1).
How Much Does It Cost To Adopt A Maine Coon Cat?
It’s no secret that purchasing a Maine Coon from a breeder is extremely expensive.
Maine Coons can cost anywhere from $400 to $2,000!
When you get a cat from a shelter, however, the price will be exactly the same, no matter what kind of breed it is!
Most shelter cats cost anywhere from $100 to $200. Kittens tend to be more expensive, while senior cats tend to be less expensive.
This cost also includes plenty of benefits, including vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and a microchip.
Here’s an article on how to adopt a Maine Coon cat:
Maine Coon Rescue Organizations
If you’re wondering, where can I adopt a Maine Coon Cat, then you’ll be pleased to discover that there are quite a few rescues operating throughout the United States.
It’s a good idea to research local shelters or organizations that are closer to home, but you might have to cast a wider net and travel further away to find a Maine Coon rescue.
Here’s a list of Maine Coon rescues that can be found in the United States!
East Coast Maine Coon Rescue
The East Coast Maine Coon Rescue is a comprehensive, online-based organization that combs through shelters across a variety of states on America’s East Coast.
This organization specializes in both purebred and mixed Maine Coons, and they’re dedicated to helping fanciers of this breed get connected with a forever friend!
Maine Coon Rescue
The other large Maine Coon rescue in America is simply called Maine Coon Rescue.
This organization may be based in Kentucky, but actually spans over eight states throughout America!
They connect with countless shelters and advertise Maine Coons that are available for adoption all over the place.
United Kingdom
If you live in the UK, then don’t worry!
There are still a couple of Maine Coon rescues available in your area, as well:
The Maine Coon Cat Club
This UK-based organization is mostly dedicated to providing information about Maine Coons, but they also partner with local shelters in order to promote Maine Coons that are in need of a forever home.
The Maine Coon Breed Society
The Maine Coon Breed Society is primarily a breeding organization, but they’re also dedicated to helping cats in need!
They provide information on Maine Coons stuck in local shelters so that people who can’t afford a Maine Coon from a breeder can instead adopt a cat in need!
Other Countries
If you don’t live in the United Kingdom or the United States, it might be a bit more difficult to find a Maine Coon rescue center.
However, even if there aren’t any organizations specifically dedicated to rehoming Maine Coons, you can still find a cat of this wonderful breed at local shelters, even if it might take more time and research!
Finally, if there aren’t any rescues in your area, don’t give up hope! It’s still possible to find Maine Coons for adoption through local shelters, Facebook groups, and other social media sites!
If you’re truly dedicated to bringing home a cat of this breed, then you should spend some time combing through newspaper ads and local websites.
Maine Coon Rescue Near Me
While we just listed some of the larger rescues that span wider geographical locations, there are also plenty of local rescue centers that can be found throughout the US!
Here is a comprehensive list of all the Maine Coon rescue centers located in America:
Arizona
The Arizona Maine Coon Cat Rescue
The Arizona Maine Coon Cat Rescue is a wonderful, non-profit organization with a special dedication to matching Maine Coon Cats with their forever homes.
The organization was founded in 2008 and has been working for years on finding homes for Maine Coons and Maine Coon mixes.
Business Name: The Arizona Maine Coon Cat Rescue
Location: Mesa, AZ
Contact Name: N/A
Email: azmccr@gmail.com
Phone: (480) 666-5501
Website: Azmccr
Kentucky
Maine Coon Rescue
Maine Coon Rescue is an organization that is based in the state of Kentucky but is quite unique when it comes to Maine Coon rescues.
This organization actually spans the entire United States and is dedicated to helping people find Maine Coons available for adoption online.
Maine Coons listed for adoption in various shelters get extra advertisement by Maine Coon Rescue, allowing owners to find Maine Coons in their very state or city!
Business Name: Maine Coon Rescue
Location: Woodstock, KY
Contact Name: N/A
Email: rescue@mainecoonrescue.net
Website: Maine Coon Rescue
New Jersey
Only Maine Coons Rescue
Only Maine Coons Rescue is a New Jersey-based organization but reaches far and wide across a variety of states, such as Maryland, Washington D.C., and Delaware.
They also work in portions of other states including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York.
This shelter mostly rescues Main Coon mixes, but they also occasionally rescue purebreds, as well.
Business Name: Only Maine Coons Rescue
Location: Absecon, NJ
Contact Name: N/A
Email: info@omcrescue.org
Website: Only Maine Coons Rescue
Texas
Merlin’s Hope Ragdoll and Maine Coon Rescue
Merlin’s Hope is a non-profit shelter that’s not just dedicated to rescuing Maine Coons and Maine Coon mixes, but Ragdolls and other long-haired breeds, as well!
They have a wide variety of cats available, and even if you don’t leave with a Maine Coon, you’re sure to find at least one longhaired beauty that melts your heart!
Business Name: Merlin’s Hope Ragdoll and Maine Coon Rescue
Location: Ennis, TX
Contact Name: N/A
Email: merlinshoperagdollrescue@gmail.com
Website: Merlin’s Hope
Conclusion
If you’re determined to bring home a Maine Coon, but can’t afford the expensive cost of buying one from a breeder, then you might want to consider getting one from a Maine Coon rescue.
These organizations are dedicated to helping potential owners get matched with mixed and purebred Maine Coons who are in need of adoption!
These popular cats are often among the first to get adopted, but with enough patience and dedication, there’s always a chance that you can bring a Maine Coon home for an affordable cost!
Even if there aren’t any Maine Coon rescues near you, you can still search through local shelters and social media sites to find a cat of this breed that’s in need of adoption.