Where To Find Free Maine Coon Kittens

Those keen to own a purebred Maine Coon shouldn’t feel disheartened if their budget will not stretch, since I have a few tricks up my sleeve that might help make your dream come true!

So, pay close attention if you want to discover where to find free Maine Coon kittens or more budget-friendly ones.

It’s hard to find free Maine Coon kittens, but it’s definitely not impossible. There are 10 trustworthy ways to source a free Maine Coon kitten, though you may have to settle for a mixed Maine Coon, rather than a purebred. These include local shelters, registered breeders, classified ads, online social media, adoption services, Maine Coon organizations, veterinary practices, adopting a stray, cat cafes, and catteries. 

Maine Coon cats have become extremely popular over the last few decades, loved worldwide for their crazily cute looks, highly intelligent brains, and family-friendly characteristics.

Finding A Free Maine Coon Kitten

Having originated in Wiscasset, Maine, the Maine Coon cat breed is well known for being one of the largest domesticated cat breeds in existence.

Their popularity has spiraled in recent decades, to such an extent, that in a 2015 United States poll, the Maine Coon cat was voted in the top three cat breeds to own. 

Maybe it’s their alluring mysterious lineage that attracts you to them, or maybe you have fallen for their stunning looks and gentle docile temperament.

Either way, this hardy, and family-friendly cat breed have won the hearts of millions of people across the world.

The huge popularity of the American Longhair, along with their expensive price tag, will make your search for a free Maine Coon kitten more problematic.

But, before you give up, trust me when I say that the search is NOT IMPOSSIBLE! 

It is likely, however, that your search may take many months (or even years) of patience and persistence to source the Maine Coon cat of your dreams.

Therefore, if you are willing to put in the effort, take a look at the following options on where to find free Maine Coon kittens.

Then read each section, to discover my simple tips and tricks.

• Cat Shelters and Rescue Centres
• Breeders
• Classified Ads
• Online Social Media Groups
• Maine Coon Adoption Specialists
• Breed Related Maine Coon Organisations
• Veterinary Practises
• Adopt A Stray
• Catteries
• Cat Cafes

1. Cat Shelters And Rescue Centres

Every country offers its own unique animal shelters, and/or rescue centers, where potential owners can check to see if there are any free Maine Coon kittens available for adoption or rescue.

Your first port of call, therefore, is to check your local cat shelters and rescue centers.

Before rushing out to your local cat rescue shelter though, please note that free Maine Coon kittens are extremely hard to come by.

This is likely because the Maine Coon cat breed is massively popular across the world.

Additionally, owners who have purchased a purebred Maine Coon kitten have already paid a very expensive purchase price, so are unlikely to give their treasured feline friends up for adoption.

If you are desperate to own a Maine Coon kitten or cat, don’t rule the option out of finding a free Maine Coon kitten or cat in one of the shelters though. Since there are many scenarios where a loved Maine Coon needs to be given up for adoption.

Possible reasons include:

• Divorce
• Financial Pressure
• Cat Allergies
• Cat Health Issues
• Owners moving home, or country
• The landlord does not permit animals
• Family integration issues

Please note that ‘free’ will not necessarily mean the kitten comes free of charge. Instead, a small contribution will be required as payment, since it covers varying aspects like vaccinations, food, shelter costs.

Staff in these establishments are not necessarily trained to know all the intricate details about every cat breed they hold.

Therefore, it is possible that a Maine Coon might have slipped through the net, and could simply be listed under the shelter’s long-haired cat listing.

Follow this process:

1. Shelter Pictures

The first step, therefore, is to take a look at the shelter cat pictures (if offered).

Alternatively, you can call the shelter directly to find out if they currently have any long-haired kittens.

2. Can You Spot A Maine Coon?

Secondly, review the shelter’s kitten pictures carefully, to see if you can spot a possible Maine Coon kitten or mixed Maine Coon kitten.

Use this guide to help you: ‘How to Identify a Maine Coon kitten‘.

3. Visit Shelter

Thirdly, whilst a picture might say a thousand words, it cannot categorically tell you that the kitten you are viewing is a purebred Maine Coon, or mixed Maine Coon.

Therefore, individuals should visit the shelter and meet the kitten in person.

Whilst you might still not know the kitten’s true heritage, you can assess their temperament, physical attributes, and behavior.

Does the kitten act and look like a Maine Coon?

4. Terms And Conditions

Finally, if you love the kitten you will need to discuss terms with the shelter or rescue center.

There is likely to be a small fee associated with the kitten, that often covers:

• Vaccinations
• Medical
• Food
• General Boarding Costs

Yes, there is a charge, but it will likely not be above $300 which is significantly cheaper than buying a purebred Maine Coon kitten from a breeder.

Read about the cost of Maine Coon kittens here.

5. Important Notice

When searching for a free Maine Coon kitten or cat, please keep in mind that not all shelters are the same.

Whilst some lucky cats will be looked after by caring and professional individuals, get the medical treatment they require and be given a safe and warm place to live before being rehomed, this is not always the case.

According to PETA, some cat shelters and rescue centers mistreat their kittens and offer them substandard accommodation, treatment, and care.

I was personally horrified to read this article regarding the subject matter, so if you get easily upset then you may not want to read this. 

US Cat Shelters / Rescue Centres

Here are just a few of the animal rescue centers in the United States of America, where you may wish to start your search for a Maine Coon kitten.

• ASPCA: Otherwise known as the American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals.

• The Cat House On The Kings: Offers a lifetime rescue and adoption service to unwanted, or surrendered cats. This organization follows a ‘no cage’, ‘no kill’ policy, and aims to rehome all of their cats to loving homes.

• Kitten Rescue – Los Angeles: A non-profit animal welfare organization in Los Angeles. Run by volunteers that help to rehome unwanted and homeless kittens.

• Best Friends: This animal welfare organization will rescue all unwanted and homeless cats. They follow a ‘no kill’ policy. Their admirable touches the heart: ‘Save Them All’.

UK Cat Shelters / Rescue Centres

There are many shelters across the United Kingdom offering unwanted domestic cats (any breed), a safe and loving place to live.

Consider contacting these establishments first, if you are keen to find a free Maine Coon kitten.

Here are a few cat shelter/rehoming organizations in the UK:

• RSPCA: Mid Norfolk and North Suffolk Branch. This trustworthy establishment offers adoption and rehoming services, for people looking to adopt a cat. 

• Blue Cross: Great organization that offers cat adoption and rehoming services across the United Kingdom.

• Feline Friends London: Gives individuals the chance to adopt, foster, volunteer a cat. It is run by an experienced group of cat rescuers and veterinary professionals.

• Four Paws Cat Rescue: Covers Oxfordshire, and parts of Buckinghamshire in rescuing and rehoming domestic cats and kittens. 

• Leicestershire Animal Rescue: This organization rehomes healthy cats and dogs, on a short or long-term basis. They ask for a very small contribution towards the running costs of the establishment.

2. Breeders

Breeders are traditionally known for ‘selling’ their Maine Coon kittens to the public.

However, it is not impossible that an individual might be able to source a free Maine Coon kitten from a breeder, or one at a significantly cheaper price than the advertised rates.

a) Surplus Kittens

Although unlikely, it is possible that the odd lucky individual might come across a breeder that breeds Maine Coon kittens and cats for show.

In rare scenarios, a breeder might have bred too many and is keen to find a happy and loving home for the excess kittens to go to.

To start your search, here is a list of registered Maine Coon breeders in the United States, by State.

b) Previously Sold Kittens

On the other hand, the breeder might have sold one of their Maine Coon kittens, only to have the owner return it a few weeks or months later.

In a scenario like this, it is possible that the breeder would be prepared to resell the older kitten at a discounted price.

If you are really lucky, the breeder might give you a free Maine Coon kitten, provided you can prove you can afford, and care for this specialist cat breed correctly.

3. Classified Ads

Take a look at the classified ads online, or in the newspaper, to see if there are any free Maine Coon kittens listed. Keep checking regularly, and you might just get lucky!

Here are a couple of places where US classified ads are listed:

• Craigslist
• USA Today Classifieds
• USA Online Classifieds
• Ads Globe
• Oodle

Here are a few UK classified ad sources:

• Gumtree
• Preloved
• Free Ads
• UK Classifieds
• Search Buzz

If this is the route you select, please keep in mind that it is important to tread carefully with the owner, if you find a Maine Coon kitten in the listings.

Whilst you might be overjoyed, and excited, the owner might be feeling sad because they are having to give up their treasured Maine Coon kitten.

Keep in mind that there is a mountain of reasons why an owner might need to give up their Maine Coon kitten, including:

• Divorce
• Allergies
• Moving home
• Landlord rules
• Financial issues.

4. Online Social Media Groups

Over the last decade, the world has gone crazy for social media e.g. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

A large percentage of the world’s population is now on one platform or another.

How mad is that?!

The internet has transformed our worlds and is usually the first place we look to source information, or products.

Individuals should therefore use this amazing online resource, to find and chat with like-minded individuals, and join the many online groups focused on the Maine Coon cat breed.

Many of the groups are made up of thousands of Maine Coon cat fanatics and lovers, therefore, why not ask these groups where to find a free Maine Coon kitten, in your area?

You never know, you might be lucky enough to speak to someone that knows where to find your free Maine Coon.

There are also various online groups that rescue Maine Coon cats and would be more than happy to help unite you will the cat breed of your dreams.

One such Facebook group is ‘Rescue Me: Maine Coon Rescue‘.

5. Maine Coon Adoption Specialists

A number of organizations have been set up that specifically focus on Maine Coon cat adoptions.

These are a great place to source your free Maine Coon kitten (or low-cost Maine Coon kitten) because these organizations have formed close relationships with the local Maine Coon cat breeders.

As a result, breeders needing to part with some of their kittens are likely to hand these precious kittens to a Maine Coon adoption specialist organization that knows how to adequately take care of the kittens.

If you are interested in sourcing a free Maine Coon kitten via this avenue, you should therefore research online to locate your nearby Maine Coon adoption specialists.

Specify to the organization what you are looking for, and why you would like to adopt a Maine Coon kitten in particular.

6. Breed Related Maine Coon Organisations

Although not specifically set up to manage adoptions, breed-related Maine Coon organizations might be able to help you find a Maine Coon kitten for free.

This is because these organizations tend to be very well connected, and in regular communication with their registered breeders.

7. Veterinary Practises

Although veterinary practices are businesses set up to care for all different types of animals, rather than to actually sell animals, they might still be a good place to start your search.

This is because they are more likely to know of expecting Maine Coon cats in the area since they are likely to be treating them!

You might get lucky and find an owner that produced an unexpected litter of either purebred or mixed Maine Coon kittens.

8. Adopt A Stray

From time to time, kittens escape the safe environment of their homes and get lost. Alternatively, stray female Maine Coons produce a litter of kittens.

Although unlikely, there is always the chance that you spot a stray Maine Coon kitten roaming the streets. In situations like this, individuals should make every effort to locate the mother and/or owner.

This is especially important in scenarios where the kitten looks to be extremely young (i.e. below 12 weeks of age).

Please keep in mind at this point, that Maine Coon kittens may look older and bigger than standard cat breeds, so it might be difficult to identify the kitten’s exact age.

If you find a stray, take the kitten to the local veterinary practice to scan them for a microchip that identifies the owner.

Every effort should be made to reunite the owner with the kitten since they will be worried sick about their lost cat.

In the scenario where the owner cannot be found though, you might just be the lucky owner of an amazing Maine Coon kitten.

Please look after this kitten, and pay attention to its unique medical, social, and exercise needs.

Take a look at these articles to help you:

• Top 5 Cat Brushes
• Best Maine Coon Cat Toys
• Best Cat Food

9. Catteries

Check your local catteries, to see if they have any Maine Coon kittens. Please keep in mind though, that Maine Coon kittens are an extremely desirable, popular, and expensive cat breed.

Consequently, there might be many other individuals contacting the same organizations like you, hoping to find a free Maine Coon kitten.

10. Cat Cafes

Cat cafes are becoming increasingly popular in the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Although you won’t necessarily find one on every street corner just yet, many new companies are being set up every month. Keep an eye out in your local area!

These cafes are somewhat unique, though individuals do still purchase coffee and a bite to eat as you would do in a normal coffee shop.

The key difference with these businesses is that cats are permitted to freely roam around the cafe. Visitors can interact with the cats in a relaxed environment.

Establishments such as this are particularly popular with cat lovers because they can spend time around all different types of felines.

Many of these cat cafe organizations also have an adoption service where visitors are given time to get to know each cat’s personality and adopt a kitten or cat available that they love.

Conclusion

After reading this informative, I doubt you are still wondering where to find a Maine Coon kitten for free?!

With so many places to search for a free Maine Coon kitten, potential owners have ample sources to search for the kitten of their dreams.

Whilst this process is likely to take considerable time, effort, and patience, I hope you will ultimately be rewarded for your effort.

If you cannot wait though, check out my guide on how to buy a Maine Coon kitten.