Maine Coons have soared in popularity over the last decade, and it seems like everyone is asking where can I get a Maine Coon cat?
After all, who wouldn’t fall in love with these gentle giants?
Purebred Maine Coon cats can be obtained from breeders. These cats are very expensive, however, so you may wish to also search for a Maine Coon kitten or cat at local shelters or Maine Coon rescues and adoption centers. Unfortunately, these options do not guarantee the cat is purebred.
If you’re desperate to find a Maine Coon, you’re not the only one! The first time I learned about these graceful and beautiful cats, I knew I’d have to find one of my own.
Finding a Maine Coon that has been responsibly bred can be tricky. Some breeders raise cats in cruel conditions, and others might even lie about a cat’s ancestry.
Read on to learn all of the important do’s and don’ts before buying a Maine Coon Cat!
Where Can I Get A Maine Coon Cat?
There are a lot of different options for getting a Maine Coon cat, although some are more reliable than others.
The table below summarizes the six main places to look, if you want to get a Maine Coon:
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| Reputable Maine Coon Breeder | Purebred lineage guaranteed. Most expensive option |
| Backyard Breeders | Untrustworthy. Risk of the purchaser being scammed. Cats raised in poor conditions |
| Maine Coon Rescue Centre | Establishments offering older Maine Coon cats a second chance. More knowledge of this breeds needs |
| Animal Shelters | Less knowledgeable of Maine Coon cat breed. Shelter unlikely aware if Maine Coon cat is a purebred or mixed breed |
| Online Groups | Breed-specific Facebook groups offer local recommendations, gained from experience |
| Pet Stores | Not recommended. Staff not knowledgeable of Maine Coon cat breed. Likely to house mixed breed cats, rather than purebred |
1. Reputable Maine Coon Breeders
The surest way to get a purebred Maine Coon is to adopt one from a breeder. This way, you will be able to know for sure that your cat comes from Maine Coon parents.
A responsible breeder will provide:
- Full medical History
- Vaccination records
- Flea treated
- Breeding parents will be screened for possible genetic diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Official pedigree paperwork, so you know your cat’s lineage
- Knowledgeable of cat breed
- Often registered with official cat bodies
Before purchasing a Maine Coon from a breeder, make sure that you ask to see the kittens.
This way you will be able to get a glimpse of their living conditions and ensure that your breeder is responsible.
Click on the link if you are looking to find ‘Registered Maine Coon Cat Breeders‘.
2. Backyard Breeders
This is a far less ideal way to purchase a Maine Coon cat.
Backyard breeders are known for acting unethically, often breeding cats in poor conditions with the single goal being to make money as quickly as possible.
Many pretend the kitten was born into a loving family home, when in fact the kittens are kept in poor conditions elsewhere.
Not only will these backyard breeders often try to pass off mixed breeds as purebred, some might even attempt to sell you a cat that isn’t Maine Coon at all!
Maine Coon kittens sold by backyard breeders often do not come with paperwork, medical history, vaccinations, etc.
3. Maine Coon Rescue
While most of us make it a goal to make our house a “forever home” for our cats, not everyone has the time or resources to care for a cat, especially if landed with a large veterinary bill that they cannot afford.
As a result, countless cats are surrendered to shelters every year.
You might be surprised to learn that some people are even willing to give up their Maine Coon cats!
Thankfully, there are certain rescue centres that are specifically focused on rescuing purebred and mixed Maine Coons.
These establishments are a great place to start your search for a Maine Coon cat.
If you want to adopt a Maine Coon cat, but don’t have the money to purchase one from a breeder, consider researching Maine Coon rescues!
Maine Coon Rescue Centres
Here are two examples of Maine Coon rescues centers located in America:
- Only Maine Coons Rescue
- East Coast Maine Coon Rescue
Disclosure: Please be aware that Maine Coon Central is not recommending or advocating the use of either of these companies/businesses.
4. Animal Shelters
Although it is rare, it’s also possible to find Maine Coons at animal shelters.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that because most cats given to animal shelters are abandoned, their ancestry is often unknown.
This means that the chances of finding a cat that you are sure are a purebred Maine Coon cat are pretty slim.
While finding a purebred can be very difficult, you might luck out with a loving Maine Coon mix! Keep a sharp eye out for any purebred and mixed Maine Coons at your local shelters.
You never know when one might show up!
5. Online Groups
Sites like Facebook often have features for people to surrender pets for adoption.
There are plenty of people whose cats gave birth to a surprise litter of kittens, and they need someone to take the young cats off their hands.
Like with animal shelters, the chances of finding a purebred Maine Coon are pretty low, but it’s always worth a browse!
If you are searching online, however, always stay alert. Some people will pose as kind cat owners trying to find good homes for kittens, but will require a steep “adoption fee.”
A lot of these people are secret backyard breeders (BYB) who are selling kittens to make a quick buck.
6. Pet Stores
While it is possible to find Maine Coons at pet stores, this is usually not the best way to get a cat.
Most pet stores keep cats in relatively poor condition, and as a result, any reputable Maine Coon breeder will not want to sell their kittens to a pet store.
Instead, you will likely be purchasing indirectly from a backyard breeder.
Where Can I Buy a Maine Coon Cat?
If you are looking to buy a Maine Coon cat, I recommend you search in one of the following two locations:
| Options |
|---|
| Reputable Breeders |
| Maine Coon Shelters |
| Online Maine Cat Breed Groups |
Where Can I Adopt a Maine Coon Cat?
If you are looking to adopt a Maine Coon cat, there are several different places to start your search:
- Animal Shelters
- Maine Coon Rescue
- Online Groups
Maine Coon Cats Free
Finding Maine Coon cats for free is incredibly difficult, as even animal shelters will require a fee for adoption.
If you are desperate to find a Maine Coon for free, however, your best bet would be to comb through sites like Facebook.
Whilst the chances are slim, you just might be able to find someone who’s trying to find homes for an unexpected litter of Maine Coon kittens, for free.
This is understandably a really popular subject matter, so why not take a look at my tips in my article where to find free Maine Coon kittens which goes into greater detail about how to find a free Maine Coon kitten or cat.
Where Can I Get A Maine Coon Kitten?
If you’re looking specifically for a Maine Coon kitten, you should follow the methods listed above.
Where Can I Get A Maine Coon Cat Near Me?
If you are searching for Maine Coons in your area, check with local animal shelters and nearby breeders.
If you intend to get a Maine Coon through a breeder, it’s best you find one that is registered through official cat bodies such as TICA or the CFA.
This is important it this will increase the chances that your cat was bred in safe and healthy conditions.
Do Cat Breeders Have To Be Registered?
Laws for breeding registration vary from country to country, and state to state.
Many places will require breeders to be registered if they have a certain number of females used for breeding (source 1,2).
Ultimately though, not all cat breeders will register to these organisations since it incurs them cost.
Cat Registration Bodies
Cat registration bodies track the breeding and registry of purebred cats.
Each registry has its own rules and regulations.
The table below details the largest and most influential cat registration bodies:
| Organisation | Acronym | Country |
|---|---|---|
| The International Cat Association | TICA | UK |
| The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy | GCCF | UK |
| The Cat Fanciers’ Association | CFA | US |
| The Federation Internationale Feline | FIFe | France |
| The Canadian Cat Association | CCA | Canada |
| The Australian Cat Federation | ACF | Australia |
Where Can I Get A Big Maine Coon Cat?
The surest way to get a big Maine Coon cat is to choose a cat that is already fully grown.
If you adopt a kitten there is simply no guarantee that it will grow up to be large.
However, obtaining a kitten who has been bred from large parents will increase the likelihood that your kitten will grow up to be large, although this is still not a 100% guarantee.
Is It Legal To Own A Maine Coon Cat?
Maine Coons are domestic cats, and as such, they are not illegal to own anywhere.
The only potential legal problem would be if your Maine Coon cat was mistaken for a wild cat breed, such as a lynx or bobcat!
Thankfully this is unlikely.
New Cat Breeding Laws 2020
As of April 6th, 2020, a new law known as Lucy’s Law came into effect in the UK to promote the welfare of kittens and puppies.
This law makes it illegal for people to sell puppies and kittens that are under 6 months old unless the person bred the animal themselves.
Or, the seller is a legitimate rescue center rather than a business (source 1).
Conclusion
If you are wondering where can I get a Maine Coon cat you’ll be pleased to find that there are a lot of different options.
Whilst the surest way to get a purebred Maine Coon is through a responsible breeder, it is also possible to find these cats at Maine Coon rescues centers, animal shelters, and online groups.
Related Questions
How Much do Maine Coon Cats Cost?
Maine Coon cats can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,500, but the average Maine Coon will cost around $1,000.
Can You Get Maine Coon Cats In The UK?
Maine Coon cats are incredibly popular in the UK, and breeders and shelters can be found all over.